FURNITURE & DESIGN BRIEFS

Remember a time when people were encouraged to live by the “golden rule” and when “treating others the way you want to be treated” was the most important lesson to learn? However, as stress levels, social calendars, family responsibilities and workloads grew, people’s commitment to others fell to the bottom of priority lists.

Now, not-so-random acts of kindness, care and comfort are being encouraged by The Spring Air Co., a leader in the bedding industry, along with best-selling author and comfort expert Jennifer Louden. Through the Spring Air Comfort Connection Awards, individuals who help make life more comfortable for those around them will be honored. Names of people who go above and beyond to ensure the well-being of family, friends, co-workers or even complete strangers are being sought.

“Nominating someone for the Comfort Connection Awards is the perfect way to thank them for reducing stress and making life more comfortable for others,” said Louden, known as “The Comfort Queen,” for her life’s work helping people experience comfort on all levels.

To nominate someone, submit an essay of 200 words or less describing who this person is and what he or she has done or sacrificed in order to bring someone comfort. Essays will be accepted online at www.springair.com or can be mailed to The Spring Air Co./Comfort Connection Awards, 1111 Nicholas Blvd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007. The deadline for entry is Oct. 16; mail-in entries must be postmarked by Oct. 17 and received by Oct. 24 to be eligible.

An independent panel of judges will choose 17 regional finalists based on the creativity of the essays, sincerity of content and generosity of the nominees. Beginning Nov. 17, the finalists will be posted on www.springair.com for public voting. The finalist receiving the most online votes will be named the grand prize winner on Jan. 25, 2008.

The grand prize winner will receive a Spring Air Comfort Challenge Back Supporter Mattress, a $1,000 gift card for a complete comfort makeover for his or her bedroom and a weekend getaway for two.

The person who nominated the grand prize winner also will be awarded a mattress as well as a $500 gift card. In addition, the remaining 16 finalists will each receive a mattress, and those who nominated the finalists will receive a $200 gift card.

Designer travel trailer set to debut

Retailer Design Within Reach has partnered with Airstream to create a travel trailer filled with the best aspects of modern design. The Design Within Reach Airstream will be available at Airstream dealerships nationwide beginning in June.

Award-winning architect and designer Christopher C. Deam worked with the companies to create the special edition. He incorporated a composition of design elements and practicality, both inside and out, with accents by George Nelson, Tom Dixon and Maharam upholstery, in collaboration with British designer Paul Smith.

Deam was originally brought onto the Airstream team to introduce the company’s International CCD line, which blends form with function and incorporates features such as Internet hookup, solar package and satellite prewiring as well as colors that include Hazard Orange, Lemongrass, Dandelion and Blue Streak.

Design Within Reach offers fully licensed classics and modern design at its stores.

Airstream, which manufactures aluminum travel trailers, recently celebrated its 75th anniversary.