by HIGH POINT — The International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD) has assembled a distinguished panel of home furnishings and textile experts to evaluate professional and student entries for its 30th annual Pinnacle Awards, widely recognized as the industry’s highest design honor. Following an extensive review process, the judges will select this year’s finalists and, ultimately, the winning designs. The awards are open to furniture and textile designers, manufacturers, designer-makers, and students who have created home furnishings, décor, or textile products introduced for retail sale within the past year. The deadline to enter is July 31, 2026.
“Each year, designers continue to raise the bar with entries that are visually compelling, innovative, and highly functional,” said David Blair, executive director of ISFD. “Selecting the finalists and winners is never easy, and we are grateful to this exceptional panel of judges for sharing their time and expertise to help recognize the best new work in home furnishings and textile design.”
This year’s esteemed judges are:
Kurt Berlin, Vice President of Mass Merchandising, Martin Furniture
Larry Boyd, President and Partner, THS Creative
Samantha Cury, Owner and Principal Interior Designer, Cury Design Studio
Jessica Duce, Co-founder, Vacation Rental Designers and Vacation Rental Design Summit
Rachel Fasciani, Editor-in-Chief, Design News Now
Violette Forman, General Manager, Havertys Furniture
Cat French, Principal Designer and Owner, Cat French Designs
Richard Frinier, Principal, Partner, Creative Director, Richard Frinier Design Studio
Corey Harris, President, Global Home USA
Steve Hodges, President, Steve Hodges Associates
Nick Johnson, Director, Sustainable Supply Chains, Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Alison Littman, Product Development, Sourcing, Merchandising, Alison Littman
Hanna Manes, Co-Executive Director, Cohab Space (501(c)(3))
Michael Manes, Co-Executive Director, Cohab Space (501(c)(3))
Jaye Anna Mize, Vice President, Advisory + Partnerships, Future Snoops
Susan Pilato, CEO, Mantra Furniture
Kim Grimsley Richy, President, Kim Grimsley Designs
Rico Ruffino, Assistant Professor of the Practice of Industrial and Product Design, NC State
David Santiago, Owner, Casa Santi Interior Design
Giuli Schacht, Founder, Go Natural
Max Shangle, ISFD, Retired
Denise Smith, CEO, The Home Studio
Missy Walters, Founder, Principal Interior Designer, Studio M Architectural Interiors
Mary Paul Yates, Principal, Yates Design
Supporting this milestone year is a valued group of industry partners whose contributions help bring the Pinnacle Awards to life. ISFD would like to thank the 2026 Pinnacle Awards sponsors: Presenting sponsor: ANDMORE; Bronze level: High Point Market Authority, and Designer-Maker category sponsor: Appalachian Hardwood; Biophilic Design in Wood sponsor: Real American Hardwood; Student Competition sponsors: Furniture Design Studios, Lockdowel, and Richard Frinier Design Studio; along with Corporate Partner: Canadian Wood; and Industry partners: Designers Today, Elements Studios, Furniture Today, International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) and The Media Matters. We would also like to thank the International Textile Alliance (ITA) and the Sustainable Furnishings Council for their continued support.
Submission details can be found at the 2026 Pinnacle Awards and the 2026 John Conrad Student Pinnacle Awards websites. To see last year’s winners, please visit the 2025 ISFD Pinnacle Award Winners. The entry deadline is July 31, 2026.
