Race car styling informed Keno furniture line

29 June 2010

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The Keno brothers

Antiques specialists Leigh and Leslie Keno are well known for their special brand of enthusiastic interplay with early American furniture. The twin brothers' expertise has been broadcast to 10 million viewers per week in their appearances as appraisers on PBS' popular 'Antiques Roadshow.'

A new furniture line designed by the Kenos for Theodore Alexander combines traditional forms found in American antiques, sumptuous woods, and occassionally, a surprising element based on another one of their passions: vintage race cars.

Among the 40-piece collection is "Flying Buttress," a console table topped with waterfall bubinga, a blond wood with a swirling grain, above an aluminum base. The hand-hammered metal component is an homage to Leslie's 1958 Lotus Eleven, a car he describes as "aerodynamic" and "sensuous."

The light dose of race car inspiration lends a contemporary feel to the line which the Kenos hope will attract young buyers to collect the pieces. In the age of Ikea, their goal was to create heirloom quality furniture with a touch of modern vroom.

Read more at Chicago Tribune

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