On May 23, the 21st innovation in Design Awards (IDAs pronounced I-DAAH-s) took place at the Greenwich Country Club. The 21st, you ask? Yes indeed. From its beginnings 11 years ago in Connecticut, the CTC&G IDAs were joined seven years ago in the Hamptons with the HC&G IDAs and five years ago in New York with the NYC&G IDAs. So we will have had 23 by this year’s end.

The IDAs have revealed future design stars, reaffirmed the greats and honored our industry’s icons. This year, Elizabeth Eakins received our Innovator Award. The award categories have grown to embrace Small Spaces and Product Design as well as the People’s Choice in Product Design with a fast and furious digital voting period before the awards.

So great was the demand for sponsorships this year that we were delighted to add a title category, filled by Room & Board, one of my favorite American-made modern furnishings companies, who affirmed their joy in being part of the Connecticut marketplace.

Truly one of the great design professional gatherings in the country, it is exhilarating to see designers, architects, builders, manufacturers and retailers chatting about their passion, which mirrors ours—producing the very best in home design.

To see everything IDAs, including details on the remaining two of 2017, go to cottagesgardens.com/idas.