Christine Schwalm Design

One question I get asked on a pretty regular basis as a designer is what furniture I would buy if money were no object.  I'm someone who has the inside scoop about what's available, right?  Well, for years my answer has been the same: Baker.  It's elegant, it's classic and beautifully made.  I'm buying a house full of it right after I win the Lotto--because all that quality and beauty ain't cheap.  But for the second year, I've seen an exhibit at the AD Home Show that has made me reconsider.  The New Traditionalists has some of the sexiest furniture I've seen in a long time.

See that chair above?  Yeah, it's linen with ponyskin.  The table next to it?  That's some kelly green leather trim with an onyx top.  The level of detail and style seriously blew me away.  A tomato red barrel chair with grey suede contrast fabric?  Yes, please.  The case pieces were just as beautiful from the finish to the hardware to scale--everything.  Oh, I've got it bad.  The line is designed here in NYC and crafted in Connecticut.  I'm sorry, Baker, we've had a good thing cooking for a while but, I may have finally outgrown you.

Well, maybe not completely.