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From: Interior Design Date: October 1, 1998 Author: Loukin, Andrea

Czech Mates

Seven new pieces have been added to Antoine Proulx's Czech Series, inspired by the Czech Cubist movement. Designer Marc Desplaines, rather than reproducing pieces from the period (roughly 1910 to 1920), has drawn from the concepts behind the designs. Bold angles, faceted planes and motion are a part of both the original designs and these new interpretations. Desplaines has also added his own sense of functionality. For example, the bookcases may be used in single units, for a simple approach, or hinged together frontward and backward to create an angled folding screen/space divider. For small spaces, the nesting tables measure only 24 in. sq. when stored. Entering the lighting market for the first time, the company has introduced a 60-in.-high floor lamp. It has a laser-cut pumiced aluminum shade recalling a pattern from a previously introduced folding screen. The simple surfaces and clean joints belie the difficult manufacturing process employed by Marc's brother Richard Desplaines; the angled shapes require complex precision-cut compound angles, while the smooth facades hide all joinery and internal supports. Shown in American black walnut, the collection comes in a wide variety of' woods.