Stephanie Dining Table Named Best of Market!

by Allison Paladino

Wow! The May 9, 2012 issue of industry trade publication Furniture/Today just hit the newsstands and the Stephanie Dining Table was named to the publication’s bi-annual “Best of Market” section.

Introduced two weeks ago at the High Point Market—the world’s largest home furnishings trade show—the Stephanie Dining Table is among the newest additions to my furniture collection at E.J. Victor.  Offered in two different sizes (84 and 96-inches), I designed it without a leaf to simplify peoples’ lives. The oak table surface is an interesting checkerboard pattern, surrounded by a textural apron. The table’s legs are situated in horseshoe patterns above a pair of dramatic C-shaped stretchers (does it remind you of a certain fashion house logo?) and have been carefully positioned to ensure everyone around the table enjoys plenty of leg room. 

The news this Market was a new, lighter finish called sand. While lighter finishes and oak and typically associated with more casual looks, the story here is about sophistication. Until now, I’ve focused on beautifully rich, dark woods like crotch walnut, rosewood and zebrawood in all of my designs for E.J. Victor. This season, I was inspired in part by the needs of my luxury interior design clients--many of whom are gravitating toward lighter finishes--and in part by the juxtaposition of light and dark.

In the background of the picture, you see my new Lorelei Cabinet, a terrific companion piece to Stephanie, with its creamy limestone top and alternating wave pattern door and drawer fronts. Lorelei is also decidedly smaller scaled and lower in height to leave enough room above it to accommodate a great mirror, wonderful painting or a TV in spaces with lower ceilings. This is a multi-purpose piece that could be used as a dresser, buffet, media cabinet or bar. I love its undulating curves, which remind me of a wave.

Both of these pieces, along with the accompanying Parker Dining Chairs, could only be produced by a company like E.J. Victor which is steeped in the art and craft of quality furniture making. Achieving the wonderfully warm sand finish requires a complicated bleaching process that few other companies would even attempt today and certainly none domestically. I am tremendously gratified that furniture like this can still be produced in the U.S., and to be working with the incredible craftspeople required to bring it to fruition at E.J. Victor!