TAKE A SEAT! For IFDA New England and the Women’s Institute for Housing and Economic Development (WIHED)

Designed by Dejana Kabiljo

As New England Chapter President of IFDA (International Furnishings and Design Association) I am so pleased to announce that we are participating in TAKE A SEAT this year!  What is TAKE A SEAT?  It”s sponsored by participating IFDA chapters, and by having local members of the design community design up-cycled chairs, which are auctioned off to benefit designated non-profits, the event serves to bring the design community together through charity and creativity!

TAKE A SEAT started with the New York and Japan IFDA chapters, and now, in its third year, there are 9 chapters participating, including New England.

We are inviting the New England design community to TAKE A SEAT at the third international, simultaneous design exhibition which features up-cycled chairs creatively redesigned by area professionals such as architects , builders, craftsmen, and designers of the furnishings and design industry. Students are welcome, too.

Check out our links: IFDA Facebook Page (International);  To submit a chair; Sponsorship opportunities.

What are the dates?  We are holding a kick-off event on May 13th, location TBD.  All chairs are to be completed by May 6th.  The chairs will be displayed at various greater Boston locations, from May 7th until June 3rd.    On June 3, we will be holding a gala where the chairs will be auctioned, at the Larz Anderson Museum in Brookline, with the proceeds going to the Women”s Institute for Housing and Economic Development (WIHED).  Join us – design a chair, contribute to the event, help to create a buzz!!!

If you have any questions, please contact me, at 413-345-0863, or by email at karen@kdzdesigns.com, or Jennifer Driscoll, our VP of Programming who is doing an outstanding job of coordinating all the event details!  You can reach Jennifer at  401-965-8237 or by email at jennifer@broadviewmarketing.com.

Designed by Michael Samoriz

Call For Chairs:  Area design professionals and students are invited to use their talents to up-cycle an existing chair or craft a one-of-kind work of art from different materials. Participating chair designers will receive recognition in both print and online media. Each submission will need to provide a headshot; a 100-word company description; a company logo; and a “before” shot of the chair or materials. Registrants pay a $75 submission fee and are alloted one ticket to the Gala. Premier registrants* pay a $500 submission fee and are allotted three tickets to the Gala. Applications are available online at : ifda.com/new-england-chapter  (*Premier registrants are chair designers who partner with a builder and/or architect to co-sponsor their submission.)

Call For Support: Vendors are encouraged to provide materials in-kind and/or become a TAKE A SEAT Patron to enhance and promote international trade with the furnishings and design industry members. Showrooms are encouraged to display chairs for the traveling exhibit which will attract both trade and consumer traffic.

Washington DC 2014 TAKE A SEAT Design Entry