Great Table...we want one.

Awesome idea and design for cat lovers! Congratulations !

That is such a good invention, I mean the rotator rod. It's ingenious and so useful. When you're showering it's on the outside away from your body; then when not really necessary it's in the tub and away from everything. Great idea.

I was wandering through Bed, Bath and Beyond yesterday and stumbled across a whole display of rotator rods. It is a clever design, but it already exists and the submission adds nothing new to it, as far as I know. Can anyone enlighten me?

Anything but the Rotator Rod, also known now as the Fraud Rod.

The Sky Quilts are both beautiful and functional.

Love the Table!!!!!!!!!!

The cat hammock only miniaturizes a long-existing product. Plus I think we all know that cats will lay just about anywhere without need for a specialized sling. Where's the design or originality? Not a fan. This is coming from a person who has had enjoyable and lengthy co-habitation periods with many cats.

The skyscape quilts are beautiful. Plus to think they are all hand dyed. Beautiful colors. Great work!
Jeannie Eichler

Love Bottles of Hope! I love the story of his inspiration equally as much as the beautiful light fixture. Great job on it! Can't wait to see more of your work to come.

I love this product. So simple and makes such a nice difference.

The Rotator Rod is a great invention for those that have small apartment-type bathrooms. The extra space really makes a difference in and outside of the shower.

Hey alsoiloveyou's....You did see curved shower curtain rods at BBB but, you didn't see the Rotator Rod. The major difference is that the RR rotates in and out and to provide space in the shower when in use and it rotates back when not in use so the bathroom is still roomy. If you get a chance check out the video at www.rotatorrod.com. It is truly clever!!!

The Rotator Rod (that moves) by that EXACT name is for sale at HSN. And has been for some time. I don't understand why it's in this competition??

I just hope that the winner is someone who truly needs the cash. I am disappointed to see that an item like the Rotator Rod (successful enough to be featured on HSN) was included in this competition.

I really like the pendant wood lights. They are beautiful and can go in any setting. To bend wood that way and not break it or show a seam. Great job!

Add me to the list of people who do not understand what the Rotator Rod is doing in this competition.

Henceforth, the Rotator Rod shall be known as the Fraud Rod.
:P

oh dear. so much negativity! people please, for the love of all that is sacred in this world, can't we all put our petty differences aside for an innocent design competition. how dare you attack the magnificent rotator rod! i have it in my bathroom and boy I tell you, it has worked wonders! once a depressed, angry person my whole world is now filled with sunshine! sometimes while relaxing in a nice warm bath i gaze heavenward and find my salvation while pondering the wonders of this rod. rotate this.

Listen. I own a Shi Tzu, so I understand what it is to love a pet. But I'm never going to understand any invention intended to further papmper an animal that's been already given the distinct pleasure of living in a temperature controlled environment, health care, continual petting and attention, activity and exercise orchestrated by another person, and two - three meals a day. No way would I purchase a hammock for a cat. Bring on that beautiful quilt- something for the pet OWNER, for a change!

I like the wood lights because they use energy saving bulbs and give any room a warm earthy feeling.

How can the cat hammock and the shower rod be beating the hand-dyed quilts? She hand-dyes the strips! Grrrr. No justice.

I could have thrown in the towel yesterday, but at this point its really official. Where did the first round love go? I don't know. But I'm honored to have been chosen for this competition and thank everyone that did show support.

That said, at this point if anyone (is there anyone?) is considering voting for my lights, I would prefer you cast a vote for the Bottles of Hope, my personal favorite of the finalists.

Good luck to everyone. This has been an enjoyable experience.

- Jeremy Pickett

There are far too many cat lovers midst AT readers. Really, a cat hammock?????

The skyscape quilts are beautiful in their simplicity, Kim. Wonderful job with lots of work.

Awww... I voted for the pendant lights, because they're the thing I'd be most likely to actually buy.

I do have to say, I haven't read exactly what the guidelines for the competition are, but I have seen the rotating (yes, not just curved) shower rod at Bed Bath & Beyond. So that designer doesn't really NEED a boost to get their product into the mainstream.

And the cat hammock is cute, but any and all cat owners know that cats sit where they want, and there's really no need to spend money on doodahs for them. At most, some sort of simple DIY project might be appropriate.

I think both the lights, the quilt and the table are all lovely in their own ways, and I hope one of them wins.

I think Collene has created a wonderful rotator rod. I voted for her because it's interesting that someone thought how we can more space in our bathroons. Go Collene

Came back to this page to see how the results were shaping up and was a bit disappointed.

@Renee4235..the rod I saw at BBB did indeed 'rotate'. So again, the idea is indeed clever but not remotely original. In my opinion (and seemingly some of the others on this forum), it is also most definitely not worthy of winning a design competition.

Unfortunately, the same biased voting that plagued last year's contest is popping up again. Having friends set up accounts just to repeatedly vote for you and leave misleading comments, while maybe not a huge transgression, really makes the competition feel cheap and useless.

I suppose there is still the saving grace of the judges' votes.

Quite the table John...outstanding...

AT, I'm disappointed in this competition. I really hope in future competitions, you will find a way to limit voting abuse and not allow products that are already being mass marketed.

Congrats to all the finalists! You all deserve a a prize! They all look great!

For all those who are flipping about the rotator rod.... yes you saw one that rotates at BBB.... that's her's. Get your fact's straight before arguing.

And Gordon.... we get it.

She should win!

Hope the rotator rod wins!

I see a lot of comments for the rotator rod from people new people who's only comments are on this thread or about the rotator rod. I smell something fishy.

The table and both of the lighting entries were fantastic. It was hard to choose between them.

When I first read AT's design showcase description: 'This month we’re putting out the call for great, new designs by independent and student designers that promise to make our homes more beautiful and inspiring places to live.'
I never would have guessed that a rotating shower rod would be in the lead. I don't doubt that it's functional, but I wouldn't expect it to make my home a more beautiful and inspiring place to live.

the idea that the "rotator rod" is in this "design showcase" is baffling.
While it may have lots of FUNCTION.. it has pretty much no FORM as far as "design" goes. Its a shower rod. it might have a trick up it's sleeve.. but its still just a shower rod. looks like a shower rod. it belongs on an infomercial, not a design site.

Where did the Rototar Rod's votes go?

even the name "rotator rod" is really starting to annoy me.

The contest got away from everyone. Obviously there was a reason this product and this designer came this far. This thread is supposed to be about support and being constructive, about ALL products. Not bashing one specific product. If you don't like one fine, talk about the ones you do! Stop with the negativity and bringing the mood of everyone that looks at this down because you don't like something. I like all the products! They are all wonderful! The only bad thing on this site are some of the comments and the people on the other end!

Riley27, people are certainly allowed to express their opinion if they suspect and rightly so, a lot of dummy accounts are set up in recent days with all comments that just support ONE product. The easiest way to see that is by clicking the "profile" link.

There is a market and an audience for this product - HSN, QVC, As-seen-on-TV customers. The market and audience for the Rotator Rod are very clearly not AT readers.

People are obviously allowed to express themselves! Go for it! I'm just saying...say your peace and let it go....

CONGRATS bottles of hope, I have been your fan from the start! Can't wait to see more from you.

Hello everyone! As with every good contest, things get a little heated, but I want to be the first to defend this year's submissions.

First of all, we're committed to independent design from pure product design to furnishings, even to stuff that borders on art - as long as it's all for the home.

We don't judge things too harshly during the submission round, and we do favor designers who take their role seriously and submit complete, well considered designs.

After that, it is YOUR voting that determines how they do.

When I first saw the Rotator Rod, I was impressed with the simplicity and chutzpa of the design, but - to be honest - I had no idea it would resonate with so many people.

In this case, the fact is that a lot of people really liked the Rotator Rod - and not just the readers, the judges too.

While I can't explain what people vote for, I love the fact that this year's mix was even broader than last year's and that "favorites" are often VERY surprising.

And that's why we do this, because a bright idea and being successful in the marketplace, there are a lot of twists and turns.

Congratulations to Tamar and Peter! Great job - and great creativity to all my fellow Showcase entrants. This has been such fun and a real learning experience for me. Thanks to all who participated, both positively and less so. The main point, after all, is showing up.

A hammock......... for a cat.

What next.

Congrats to the winners! Personally, I was a big fan of the skyscape quilts, but I hope all of the finalists will be able to, somehow, make $$$$$ from their designs.

The thing I don't get with the rotator rod is, well, how do you actually install it as one of the vast number of people who rents their tiny bathroom? If I screwed cheap-looking plastic plates to my bathroom tile, I would lose a giant chunk of my damage deposit.

I'm disappointed with both outcomes. The table was my favorite.

Cat Hammock: It looks uncomfortable for a cat, to me. The bottom rounded out, making the cat's back curve. A taut fabric edge to lay their head on? They like a nice soft cushioned something to lay their head on. They wouldn't be able to change positions easily. Sorry.

Rotator Rod: It never occurred to me I wanted more room within the tub-shower. But obviously, it's a very popular idea, especially with first-time commenters.

Honestly, I don't care for any of them.