CHICAGO (February 6, 2012) — The Design Center at the Merchandise Mart and Luxe Interiors + Design magazine are thrilled to announce Tracy Hickman was named winner of the first annual Chicago Interior Design Hall of Fame. Tracy accepted the award Thursday, February 2 at an elegant Awards Gala held in the North Lobby of the world-famous Merchandise Mart in Chicago. More than 500 trade professionals, industry leaders and design aficionados gathered for the first ever Chicago Interior Design Hall of Fame sponsored by Mercedes-Benz USA and Chicagoland Mercedes-Benz Dealers.
Second runner up, Darcy Bonner of Darcy Bonner and Associates LLC and first runner up Shea Soucie and Martin Horner of Soucie Horner Ltd were also recognized.
“The event was a huge milestone for the Chicago Design community as it’s the first award of its kind,” said Julia Chappell, Managing Director of Marketing for the Design Center. “Our goal with the Chicago Interior Design Hall of Fame was to bring recognition to the vast array of design talent in the Chicago-area and honor the many designers who have contributed to interior design, civic endeavors and overall community well-being.”
The ten nominees were selected by a jury of Design Center and Luxe Interiors + Design representatives. The nominees also included Susan Fredman of Susan Fredman Design Group, 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 and Tom Stringer of Tom Stringer Design Associates.
In addition, Judy Niedermaier was honored with a special video tribute at the Awards Gala and received Posthumous Recognition for her many contributions to the design community.
“Winning and making a difference does not happen alone. It takes great clients, talent, passion as well as votes from industry colleagues,” said Jennifer Matthews, VP and Group Publisher for Luxe Interiors + Design. “The Merchandise Mart and Luxe Interiors + Design have the special honor of making the connections and showcasing this dynamic process and the individual talents that make it all happen. We are particularly excited because there is no lack of talent in Chicago. We are looking forward to honoring and celebrating interior designers for many years to come, both in the pages of Luxe Interiors + Design and in celebrations like this.”
As principal of Hickman Design Associates, Tracy works closely with her clients to accommodate their lifestyles, not just furnish their rooms. Tracy earned her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University’s selective 50-student interior design program in 1988. During that time, she studied architecture and interior design in Milan, Paris and London, experiences that made her particularly sensitive to the architectural dictates of space and the possibilities they create. After obtaining her NCIDQ certification and spending four years with Chicago-based Vert and Associates, Tracy began Hickman Design Associates in 1992.
Specializing in residential design, Tracy works with her colleagues, Elizabeth Krueger and Chad Munger, to provide attentive, complete service throughout every aspect of the design process. Tracy employs her personalized approach with both primary and seasonal residences, designing homes in locations ranging from the Cayman Islands and South Carolina to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and Chicago.
“I love interior design and feel lucky to have been able to make it a career,” said Tracy Hickman. “Being recognized as part of such a talented group of designers was a pinch yourself moment. Being selected as the first Chicago Interior Design Hall of Fame inductee, surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues is just plain humbling.”
Please visit www.chicagointeriordesignhalloffame.com to learn more and view pictures from the event.
About The Design Center™ at The Merchandise MartThe Design Center at The Merchandise Mart, located in Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart, is home to four floors constituting the world’s largest and finest design center. As a leader in the $65 billion residential home furnishings market, The Design Center offers the largest presentation of high-end, couture, home furnishings worldwide, all under one roof. Encompassing 1.5 million square feet, boasting 150 showrooms and featuring more than 2,500 product lines, it is the design professional’s ultimate resource for luxury furniture, fabrics, floor coverings, wall coverings, lighting, antiques and much more.
MMPI is the world's leading owner and operator of showroom buildings and trade show facilities, bringing buyers and sellers together in more than 300 market events, trade and consumer shows and conferences each year.
MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart in Chicago; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington D.C.
Vornado Realty Trust, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.
About Luxe Interiors + DesignLuxe Interiors + Design (www.luxesource.com) is a high-end residential design and architecture magazine and the uncompromised source for those with a passion for creating beautiful surroundings and living well. It is the influential go-to guide that leads readers to discover and acquire local and national resources for design, decorating, architecture and renovation. Curated for the affluent, sophisticated homeowner, Luxe Interiors + Design is the only luxury publication that offers access to the local design and architecture scene, while also covering national design news and trends.
With a quarterly distribution of 455,000, Luxe Interiors + Design reaches deep into key markets nationwide and has established itself as the largest and fastest growing network of luxury home magazines.
About Mercedes-Benz USAMercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse line-up in the luxury segment with 14 model lines ranging from the sporty C-Class to the flagship S-Class sedans and the SLS AMG supercar.
MBUSA is also responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans and smart in the US. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com, www.mbsprinterusa.com and www.smartusa.com
