The 2014 Australian International Furniture Awards (AFIA) was held recently in Melbourne to honour and celebrate excellence in Australian furniture design and manufacturing.

One of the furniture industry’s most comprehensive and coveted awards programs, the AFIA was held in conjunction with the Australian International Furniture Exhibition in Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building. The 2014 edition received unprecedented nominations from emerging student designers from across the nation.

Mr Ian Howard of Aristoc Industries fame was awarded the inaugural Australian Furniture Industry Master award at the 2014 Australian International Furniture Awards (AFIA).

Recipients of the 2014 Australian International Furniture Awards:

Supplier of the Year: Décor Design Centre, Western Australia; Retailer of the Year: Make your House a Home, Bendigo, Victoria; Residential - Bedroom, Wholesale/Retail: Gap by Silver Lynx, Victoria; Residential - Sleep Set (Mattress and Base): The Lifestyle Advanced by Slumber Corp, Western Australia; Residential Built-in – Kitchen: Rous Crescent by MMM Interiors, Australian Capital Territory; Residential Built-in – Bathroom: Indulgence - Applecross Master Suite by International Cabinets, Western Australia; Residential - Lounge, Wholesale/Retail: Mercer by Molmic, Victoria; Residential - Dining, Bespoke/ Custom: Classical Elegance by Grain Timber Furniture, Victoria; Residential - Occasional/ Entertainment/ Cinema: Quarter Curved Audiovisual Unit by Christian Cole Furniture, Victoria.

Excellence in Student Design - Bedroom Furniture: Atmos by Joseph Casey, Matthew Donaldson and Matthew Booth, Victoria; Excellence in Student Design - Seating: Kumo by Jenna Dexter, Victoria; Excellence in Student Design - Decorator Furniture: Floating Hall Table by Ryan Livesey, Queensland; Excellence in Student Design - Occasional Furniture: Sandwiched Shelf by Yulia Holil, Western Australia; Best of the Best: Classical Elegance by Grain Timber Furniture, Victoria; People's Choice: To Lean by Joshua Suklan, RMIT School of Architecture & Design, Victoria.

Special Commendations were also presented for: Built-in: Commercial/Industrial/Public Spaces: Executive Suite by Atelier Furniture, Western Australia; Built-in: Lounge/Dining/Cinema/Home Office: The Regent by International Cabinets, Western Australia; Built-in: Lounge/Dining/Cinema/Home Office: Baringa Road, Steele Associates.