New York, New York – November 4, 2019 – The New York School of Interior Design is pleased to announce the recipients of three awards to be presented at NYSID’s annual gala. These industry professionals are being honored for their commitment, forward-thinking contributions, and bold leadership in the world of design. NYSID’s annual gala will take place on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at a private club in Manhattan. Proceeds from the event benefit the NYSID Scholarship Fund. In 2019, NYSID celebrated its most successful gala to date, raising over $560,000 for the student scholarship fund.

The following individuals will be honored at this year’s black-tie event:

• Brian McCarthy, founder of Brian J. McCarthy, Inc. will receive the Albert Hadley Lifetime Achievement Award

• Gale and Andy Singer, a brother and sister team, will receive the Larry Kravet Design Industry Innovation Award. Gale is the founder and president of Circa Lighting, and Andy is the founder and CEO of Visual Comfort & Co.

• Elizabeth Lawrence, partner at Bunny Williams Associates, will receive the Rising Star Award, sponsored by The Shade Store

Awards are presented in these three categories to individuals or companies in residential or commercial design who have made significant contributions to the interior design profession.

David Sprouls, president of NYSID said, “we’re honored to recognize this year’s distinguished recipients. These individuals are a true inspiration to our students, each having made an extraordinary contribution to the field of design, greatly enhancing the way we approach and experience the built environment.”

This year, the premier event will be co-chaired by Alexa Hampton, David Kleinberg, Dennis Miller, Susan Nagle, Betsey Ruprecht, and Maria Spears. It is expected to bring together over 300 designers, philanthropists, and supporters.

“The participation of those attending the gala which supports our scholarships, will have a significant impact on our students. This demonstrates the enthusiasm that the College enjoys from the design community,” says chairman of NYSID’s Board of Trustees, Ellen Kravet.

About this year’s honorees:

A former partner of the legendary design firm Parish-Hadley, award-winning designer Brian J. McCarthy graduated from New York City’s Pratt Institute. He opened the doors of his own eponymous design firm, Brian J. McCarthy, Inc., in 1992, and provides interior design as well as architectural consultation to clients around the world.

In 2005, McCarthy designed the private quarters and refurbished the State Rooms in Winfield House, the official residence of the Ambassador to the Court of St. James. Additionally, McCarthy has designed an array of stunning private residences, many for clients so high profile they wish to remain anonymous. Previous and current projects include residences in New York City and the greater New York region; Connecticut; Massachusetts; Palm Beach, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Pebble Beach and Bel Air, California; Prouts Neck, Maine; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Charlottesville, Virginia; Toronto, Canada; Bermuda; Monaco; St. Tropez, France; and Gstaad, Switzerland.

McCarthy is a member of Architectural Digest’s AD100 and Elle Decor’s A-List of top interior designers around the world. His work has been featured in many publications, including Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, New York Magazine (100 Best), The New York Times, and Veranda, as well as in several books, including his own book, Luminous Interiors which he wrote in 2013, and Parish Hadley Tree of Life which he co-authored with Bunny Williams in 2015.

He lives in New York City with his partner, Danny Sager, and their beloved dog, Daisy.

Circa Lighting was founded in 1998 by Gale Singer. After having worked for Visual Comfort for 10 years (the leading manufacturer of decorative lighting founded by her brother Andy Singer), Gale moved to Savannah, GA. There she conceived the idea for a well edited lighting showroom where clients could shop in a boutique like atmosphere. The company was launched with a 375-square feet showroom in Savannah’s historic district.  Today, Circa has thirteen showrooms across the country (with more in the works) along with a very active internet presence, and continues to be the premiere distributer of Visual Comfort, Tech, Generation Lighting and Monte Carlo Fans.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Visual Comfort & Co. was founded in 1987 by Andy Singer. Although Singer started as a lighting salesman, he knew he wanted to create his own brand of products. Visual Comfort started by producing pharmacy lamps and then began collaborating with brand-name designers. Today, the company has expanded into a powerhouse of the world’s most elite designers with a diverse portfolio of lighting products that all feature a timeless quality. Visual Comfort & Co. continues to produce hundreds of innovative lighting designs per year.

Elizabeth Lawrence was named partner of Bunny Williams Associates in 2017 after a 14-year tenure, which began with a coveted internship. Elizabeth notes, “These days, it’s rare to rise from intern to partner while under one roof. In my case, I found my calling through the apprenticeship tradition much the way Bunny did when she began her long association with the revered Parish-Hadley Associates.”

Bunny adds, “Elizabeth’s passion for design, leadership qualities, and business acumen created a trajectory that made her an inevitable choice for partner. In all she does, Elizabeth upholds the Bunny Williams legacy of quality and trust while bringing her own voice, management style, and creativity to the table.”

Originally from Wilmington, DE, Elizabeth attended the University of Richmond and then the New York School of Interior Design. After graduation, her internship at Bunny Williams Associates led to a job as Junior Designer and she rose later to Senior Designer. “Bunny is an ideal mentor and collaborator and we take our partnership seriously. She sets the stage with her vast experience, practicality, intelligence, and sense of humor. Generous in spirit, she invests in her staff when they show initiative, drive, and talent so I worked hard to meet these expectations. I’m thrilled to have the privilege of leading by Bunny’s example,” continues Lawrence.

Known for her skill of building stories for beautiful rooms from one point of inspiration, Elizabeth carves out time for personal growth, which informs her designs. When not at the office, reading, visiting museums, or spending time with numerous nieces and nephews, she’s exploring the world and capturing her adventures with her other great passion: photography. A recent trip to Berlin and Vienna are highlights, while future sojourns in Greece, Africa, and Iceland await.

Previous Gala honorees include preeminent designers Jeffrey Bilhuber, Geoffrey Bradfield, Ellie Cullman, David Kleinberg, Suzanne Rheinstein, Christopher Spitzmiller, and Bunny Williams.

About New York School of Interior Design
Founded in 1916, New York School of Interior Design is a private, nonprofit college focused exclusively on interior design. The college offers certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs for students at all stages of their careers—whether they’re just becoming familiar with the discipline, considering a career change, or looking to deepen knowledge in a particular area. Consistently ranked one of the top interior design programs in the United States, students study both residential and commercial interior design, some with specialties in sustainable design, lighting, and healthcare interiors. NYSID students enjoy a small class size and sharp focus, a great deal of personal attention from dedicated faculty, and they go on to practice at the highest levels of the profession. To learn more, visit NYSID.edu. 

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