The Art of Storytelling

This pedestal, designed by Roger Thomas for Global Views, is at once neoclassical and refreshed. Crafted of black cerused oak, it sits proudly with traditionally graduated proportions, and seems to wait patiently until the perfect object can be displayed on its black marble cap. The pedestal is aptly named as it comes from the antique-finish oval mirrors on each of the four sides, which reflect society in a slightly biased manner, just as Proust did.

Recalling the bygone era of the golden age, this side table, designed by Laura Kirar for McGuire Furniture, sets the stage for a very interesting story. Named after Chavela Vargas, a friend (and lover) of Frida Kahlo, who was a force in her own right. A Costa Rica-born Mexican singer Chevala was well known for her heartbreaking renditions of rancheras. Legends and stories surround her and the exotic life she led singing around the world at the most luxurious venues. It is said that after performing at Liz Taylor’s wedding to her third husband, she ran off with Ava Gardner, who is just one of many in her amorous resume. Just like the legend is wrapped in mysticism and exoticism, so is this table which is crafted of cast bronze in swirling rings of infinity without a beginning or end. The top is natural marble so it’s variations will only add to its delightful appeal.

Sometimes the story is about the architecture of the piece and in this instance, it’s the drama of a hanging stone-capped shelf in Thom Filicia’s Highbridge Console, by Vanguard Furniture. Four tapered legs support a top of framed, inset glass. Piercing the beveled glass top are four metal rods which carry the weight of a hanging striated stone shelf. Even with all of the structural gymnastics, the console appears peaceful and calm.