Unique Furniture

Mexican furniture bonanza

Sue Doerfler
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 12, 2008 12:00 AM

It's time to throw out the stereotype that Mexican furniture means rustic. A look at Robb & Stucky's new line will convince you of that.

The 70-piece collection includes dining tables, armoires, mirrors, sofas, secretaries, headboards, chairs and other pieces with a European or urban contemporary flair and will be unveiled Thursday at the Phoenix showroom as the highlight of "Mexican Design: From Colonial to Contemporary," an exhibit held in conjunction with Phoenix Home & Garden magazine.

The idea behind the event is to show off the diversity in Mexican design, said Alan Reinken, Robb & Stucky's Western region vice president.

In assembling this year's collection, Reinken traveled last May to Puebla, southeast of Mexico City. He searched for furniture and designs and talked with manufacturers and craftsmen. He was impressed with the architecture of the city, where old contrasts with new, where walls of old buildings are covered in talavera tile, where new subdivisions' contemporary homes are painted in brilliant colors.

"You end up with this great diversity," Reinken said.

The furniture collection, which includes pieces made in Puebla, Toluca, Queretaro and San Miguel de Allende, reflects that distinctiveness.

Some pieces feature French, Italian and other traditional European influences. Others have a contemporary bent. Don't expect sleek metal and glass; instead, you'll find a more urban look with clean lines.

"They do beautiful work, (although) maybe not as refined as a North Carolina manufacturer," Reinken said. "It's their interpretation."

One manufacturer, a cabinetmaker, has contemporized heavy mesquite furniture with smooth finishes and dark stains. Another crafts European-style furnishings out of walnut burls.

Collection pieces include:


• A Lombardy secretary, modeled after an 18th-century piece from Italy's Lombardy region.


• An Emiliano writing desk, which has eight small drawers.


• Mesquite candlesticks, 2 to 5 feet tall, that can be adapted as lamp bases.


• 80-inch-square mirrors that are ideal as headboards, especially when combined with white bedding. They will work well in our large bedrooms, Reinken said.

In addition to furniture and accessories, the event includes regional food and music. Mexican artist Agustin Parra, whose Nativity scene was a feature of the Vatican's Christmas festivities in December, will be on hand to meet attendees. His hand-carved statuary, oil paintings in hand-carved wooden frames and small hand-carved furnishings will be for sale.