NIGHT OF THE STARS
Florida’s design industry honors
its own at a gala awards ceremony at the Design Center of the Americas
TEXT Karen B. King McCallum

page 1 of 2 Next

NIGHT_OF_STARS_A

n April 2005, the Design Center of the Americas in Dania Beach, Fla., hosted the 5th annual Night of the Stars awards gala, which honored the exceptional creativity of Florida’s design professionals. As in the past, the American Society of Interior Designers, the International Interior Design Association, the International Furnishings & Design Association and the Interior Design Guild Foundation joined together to collectively present their “Design Excellence Awards.” The event also introduced a new awards program sponsored by DCOTA, appropriately called “DCOTA Rising Star Awards.”


Organizers kicked off the evening with a cocktail reception, during which the famed Broadway star, Tommy Tune, exhibited his artwork, as well as artist/photographer Jill Lynne. Tune was accompanied his longtime friend, Lucy Arnez, daughter of the late comedic actress, Lucille Ball. During the awards program, Tune received a “Special DCOTA Appreciation Award” for his participation in the festivities and personally signing lithographs at the conclusion of the evening.


Winners of the “Design Excellence Awards” were recognized for their expertise in several categories, among them residential; healthcare/institutional; historic preservation; hospitality; retail/showroom; and workplace/office. A distinguished panel of 10 judges, which included such notable design names as Dakota Jackson, Sherri Donghia, Ralph Pucci and Adam Tihany, selected the winning entries.


The new “DCOTA Rising Star Awards” singled out winners in the categories of kitchen, bath, living/dining rooms, outdoor living, and retail/hospitality.


In addition, The Bud Merle Foundation bestowed Steven Hefner, ASID, IIDA, with its “Buddy Award,” while The Interior Design Associations Foundation named C. Trent Manausa, AIA, as the recipient of its Chuck Levine Legislative Service Award.


The success of this event would not have been possible without a strong support base. Platinum sponsors, including Florida Design, headed the roster of those who gave generously, followed by Gold, Silver, Patron and Friends sponsors.
For a complete listing of the winners, please turn the page.

Lisa Kanning, of Worth Interiors in Palm Beach, received a “DCOTA Rising Star Award” in the living/dining rooms category for the design of this Aventura residence. Photography by Robert Brantley, Delray Beach, FL.

NIGHT_OF_STARS_B

above: The “DCOTA Rising Star Award” in the bath category went to Cindy West Ray, of Cindy Ray Interiors, Inc. in Lantana Point and Palm Beach. Photography by Robert Brantley, Delray Beach, FL.
NIGHT_OF_STARS_C

RTKL’s West Palm Beach design team won a “Design Excellence Award” in the retail/showroom category for its design of the Sub-Zero/Wolf Showroom in Duluth, GA. Photography by Jeffrey Jacobs Architectural Photography, Memphis, TN.

NIGHT_OF_STARS_D

above: For the design of this Boca Raton residence, Toby Zack, of Toby Zack Designs in Fort Lauderdale, garnered a “Design Excellence Award” in the condominium/apartment category. Photography by Joseph Lapeyra, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
NIGHT_OF_STARS_E

A building renovation in Arlington, Va., netted Anabella Smith, of Zyscovich, Inc. in Miami, a “Design Excellence Award” in the hospitality category. Photography by James Wilkins, New York, NY.

 
NIGHT_OF_STARS_F

Jorge Cativa and Sonya Haire, of Urbanica Group in Miami Beach, captured a “Design Excellence Award” in the category of private residence under 5,000 square feet. Photography by Mike Butler, Miami, FL.