Interior Design Society separating from NHFA
Will focus on services for the residential interior design trade
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, December 28, 2007
HIGH POINT — The Interior Design Society plans to become a fully independent association on Jan. 1, with a focus on services for the residential interior design trade.
The organization has had an extended relationship with the National Home Furnishings Assn. for more than three decades, since the IDS was formed to recognize and support retail operations that have salespeople trained as designers.
NHFA President Wogan S. Badcock III expressed appreciation for the services the iNteior Design Society provides to retailers, and acknowledged the important role IDS will continue to play in the home furnishings industry and with residential interior designers.
IDS President Andy Limone also emphasized the organization’s services, noting that future plans include providing more professional designer training through national webinars and seminars.
In the early 1970s, NHFA retailers with a strong designer trade developed the IDS to provide recognition, training and services for their salespeople. They also wanted to help home furnishings retailers grow their business with the designer trade and to assist designers with the services they needed.
Since then, the IDS has become an organization for independent residential designers, sales specialists, design-related businesses and design students.
IDS Executive Director Pamela White will continue to maintain the group’s headquarters in High Point but will move from its Tinsley Drive address to new offices in the Radio Building in downtown High Point. The new phone number is (336) 884-4IDS.
