| S A NTA FA V ORITES |
custom living whe re —a nd how—to buy t h e c it y’s be st one -of -a-kind f ur n it u r e by Cri sti na Old s photo graph s by G a briella Ma r ks
Run a palm along the buffed line of a slab table; inhale the scent of a newly planed poplar plank; linger a moment on the beauty of a one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted cabinet. These are the simple, unique pleasures of custom furniture—an interior design feature that’s readily available and eagerly embraced in a town like Santa Fe, with its rich history and artistic sensibility. On the following pages, we celebrate custom designs from Anthony E. Martinez, Emily Henry, Ernest Thompson Furniture, Samuel Design Group, Carved Custom Cabinets, La Puerta Originals, Reside Home, and Sequoia Santa Fe—all of which are honoring traditions and breaking molds while providing unforgettable pieces that stand out for their striking forms and much-needed functionality.
Traditional Southwest-style furniture draws from Mexican, Spanish, and Native American influences. According to the long-standing company Ernest Thompson Furniture (ernestthompson.com), the distinctive Southwestern look originated with Spanish carpinteros who migrated to the Rio Grande Valley and adapted their techniques to the local materials and terrain while maintaining their artistic standards. These woodworkers and their indigenous apprentices crafted functional furnishings using simple tools. Below: A chip-carved detail of an alder San Juan buffet.
A Northern New Mexican interpretation of the classic storage cupboard that was used before the icebox came along, this Taos pie safe from Ernest Thompson Furniture is built with antique standing deadwood and has crucita cutouts for ventilation.
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santafean.com
october/november 2014