Chicago Design Center, Luxe magazine to present Chicago's inaugural interior design hall of fame

Ten design firms vie for top prize, winner to be announced Feb. 2, 2012, at gala

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 11/10/2011 9:59:00 AM

The Design Center at the Chicago Merchandise Mart and Luxe Interiors + Designmagazine will collaborate to present the inaugural 2011 Interior Design Hall of Fame, recognizing and honoring interior designers who have made an impact on Chicago's design community.

Ten nominees have been selected by a jury of Design Center and Luxe representatives. Voting is now available through Dec. 15, 2011, using an online public ballot at chicagointeriordesignhalloffame.com. The winner will be announced at the Awards Gala on Feb. 2, 2012, at the Merchandise Mart.

The nominees include ten of Chicago's most recognized design firms: Darcy Bonner of Darcy Bonner and Associates LLC; Susan Fredman of Susan Fredman Design Group; Tracy Hickman of Tracy Hickman Design Associates; Alex Jordan and Dan Smieszny of Gregga Jordan Smieszny Inc.; Gary Lee of Gary Lee Partners; Suzanne Lovell of Suzanne Lovell Inc.; Margaret McCurry of Tigerman McCurry Architects; Frank Ponterio of Frank Ponterio Interior Design; Shea Soucie and Martin Horner of Soucie Horner Ltd.; and Tom Stringer of Tom Stringer Design Associates.

In addition, Judy Niedermaier will receive posthumous recognition for her many contributions to the design community.