HIGH POINT, N.C. — 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, VP 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, owner and principal designer, 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, VP, 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.

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.