AACC Students Win Furniture Design Competition

Three interior design students recently tied for first place in the 2011 MADE: In America Washington, D.C. Furniture Design Competition, capturing the "BEST: Made in America Award."

The designs of Nadia D. Vemuri Cataldi of Annapolis, Brandon P. King of Deale, and Susan Wasilewski of St. Michaels were showcased July 4 at the “Take Pride in America Celebration and Awards Ceremony” in the U.S. Capitol.

Five other AACC students were also invited to display furniture design entries as part of the event sponsored by the MADE: in America not-for-profit educational organization and sponsor. Those students were: Kershell L. Ford of Arnold, Taylor E. Beck of Davidsonville, Ana Laura Gonzalez of Laurel, Rose M. Hilgartner of Monkton and Tracy A. McGuinness of Annapolis.

All of the interior design students were enrolled in the college’s “Interior Construction Detailing” class taught by Dimi Tangires of Easton.     

At the ceremony, Wasilewski’s winning PHI chair design as developed by Bielecky Brothers Inc. of New York was unveiled. Wasilewski got to travel to the Bielecky Brothers’ New York factory to see her chair design become a reality. The prototype of the chair could be sold worldwide.

“This is a historic moment in her career,” Tangires said. “Few interior design students have the honor of working with a prestigious manufacturer and seeing their own design become reality.”

The chair and the three first-place entries are now on display through August at “The All American Room” showcase at the Washington Design Center. According to AACC, the trio competed with peers from two- and four-year public and private universities in the competition. Cataldi created an elegant Hyannis Rocking Chaise and King designed a space-saving Sky Box outdoor table and chair series.

MADE: in America chairman and CEO James DeLorbe, as well as seasoned designers and industry executives, were impressed with the quality of the AACC submissions.

“The students’ designs are simply incredible. Professor Tangires did a remarkable job in integrating her coursework with the competition and her professionalism and academic course of study are second to none.”