"The principles of the Raymond Waites Design Competition are to foster creative spirit, visual inspiration and rooms that have an emotional warmth, rooms that are comfortable, friendly... and display an ageless mix of design influences reflecting various cultures." -Raymond Waites, noted designer and arbiter of interior fashion/style trends RAYMOND WAITES NATIONAL DESIGN COMPETITION WINNER ANNOUNCED BY IFDA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION As a teenager, Bradley James Yandow carried graph paper and pencil, knowing family and friends would ask his advice when choosing color schemes, arranging furniture, or designing a landscape. "I knew even as a child that I wanted to design living space," he said after winning the first national Raymond Waites Design Competition sponsored by the IFDA Educational Foundation. His traditional/eclectic living room with dining created for an imaginary couple's lakeside retirement home was the winner among entries submitted by undergraduate interior design students from schools coast to coast. He receives a $5000 prize and a weekend trip to the Spring 2010 International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, NC. A reception in his honor hosted by Raymond Waites is being held on Friday, April 16 in the "Design + Innovation" area of Market Square & Suites where the winning entry and 10 finalists are on display throughout the week long High Point Market. The 10 Finalists are: Courtney Stark, Colleen Lettich, Lauren Graback and Kristen Hollard, all from High Point University; Trevor Call, Jennifer Giddens and Morgan Elizabeth Pederson, from Utah State University; Mariel Ramos, Northern Arizona University; Gunnhildur Jardottier, New York School of Interior Design; and Alberto Rosario, Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC. Raymond Waites, noted industry style leader, commented, "I was thrilled with the quality and creativity I saw in all of these entries." Our goal was to expose design students to the "real world" challenge of traditional-mix interiors and furnishings rather than the contemporary assignments typically emphasized. "This competition encouraged students to expand their design horizons by researching classic periods and decorating styles, plus they had to draw one piece in detail suitable for today's manufacturing and marketing." Even those who did not win gained valuable long-term knowledge from their participation, Waites said. Brad worked on his entry for two months, starting last fall when the competition was mentioned by a teacher at LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah, where interior design students consistently place in the states Student Portfolio event. "It seemed like the traditional/eclectic theme was speaking to me…I wanted to know more about it" he said. He went on line to learn about Raymond Waites Couture, the Educational Foundation of IFDA (International Furnishings & Design Association), historical furniture designs…and researched chair manufacturing at the US Patent Office for his detailed drawing. The attention to detail exhibited throughout his presentation portfolio impressed the three judges, Raymond Waites and interior designers, Jeanne Matlock, FIFDA, Educational Foundation Chair and Merry Mabbett Dean, FIFDA, Director of EF Grants and Scholarships. The second of eight children, Brad was raised in a small ranch home and as a youngster, he constantly rearranged the bedroom he shared with his brothers. His parents taught him the values of hard work, integrity and volunteerism. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, was an immersed missionary for two years in Tampico, Mexico, and helped build four homes on ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition. He now serves on the school's Student Council. It's been a momentous year for the talented young designer. He married his wife Kelly last June, receives his Associate of Applied Science Degree on April 15 and in High Point the next evening, is honored as the winner of the first Raymond Waites Design Competition at a reception attended by the IFDA Educational Foundation Board of Trustees, IFDA members, press, and industry friends of Raymond Waites. The winner is also to be a special guest at an event hosted by House Beautiful which lent the prestige of their logo to the design competition. Brad said, "I wanted to experience the parameters of this challenge and achieve my design goal, no matter what the outcome. I am thrilled to win the $5000 prize, but also to visit the huge High Point Market, tour showrooms, attend seminars, meet and talk to people in the industry that I want to be part of in the years ahead. I am grateful to Raymond Waites and the IFDA Educational Foundation for giving me this wonderful opportunity." Raymond Waites is a long time member of IFDA and has received its prestigious Trailblazer Award, the New York IFDA Chapter Big Apple Award as well as numerous other industry and design awards. Brad Yandow, who won the IFDA/EF Raymond Waites Design Competition, envisioned a lake front property, and actually developed a floor plan of the entire home. "I didn't know where traffic was going until I knew what the rest of the house was like." The winner placed special emphasis on architectural details…coffered ceilings, columns, beams, and crown cove molding in creamy tones with deeper colors for contrast. French doors overlooking the lake were adapted from antique examples…a carved Spanish marble fireplace is the living room focal point. Brad researched chair manufacturing at the US Patent Office for his detailed drawing of a chair suitable for today's marketing and manufacturing.