The distinctive furniture of Los Angeles artist...

The distinctive furniture of Los Angeles artist Miguel Lobo, who was born in Santa Fe, N.M., is inspired by the carpinteros of Santa Fe, who produced similar pieces from the late 1600s to the 1800s. Manuel Coronza, a New Mexico carpenter-teacher, taught Lobo the distinctive style. The pieces are built from rough pine, which is then carved and finished by hand. A patina is achieved by repeated painting, sanding and scrubbing. Lobo says that this process “builds up the character of each piece. This makes the furniture appear to be quite old, although its youth manages to shine through.” The caja manta (blanket box), shown here, and his other furniture feature the natural colors of northern New Mexico--sienna, ocher, sky-blue and the red shades of the soil. Miguel Lobo furniture is available at Umbrello, West Hollywood, as are the pillows, blankets and pottery pictured above.

RAIDER OF THE LOST ARCH

Inspired by the early ‘60’s architecture of America’s favorite hamburger emporium, McDonald’s, Houston-based designer Adam St. John has designed a chair supported by miniature versions of the chain’s ubiquitous golden arches. “My furniture designs are an attempt to express time-honored symbols in new forms,” St. John says. His “McChair” is made of birch plywood and has a seat that has been hand-painted to look like granite. The seat back resembles an architect’s front elevation of a ‘60s-style burger stand. Chosen for its permanent collection of 20th-Century furniture by the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, the chair is available in a limited edition of 250, each personally constructed by the designer. For information, write ASJ Associates, 2615 Waugh Drive, Suite 216, Houston 77006or call (713) 661-9300.

FALSE HOPE

The latest buzzword in the design biz is faux. Although it’s not a new concept, faux-- or false--finishes have reached new levels of consumer acceptance. Countertops, tables and other surfaces are appearing in these look-alike finishes. According to David Embry, director of design for Wilsonart, one of the leaders in the manufacture of decorative plastic laminates, several new “stone” patterns are being added to an already extensive line. (The company’s faux granite is shown at right.) Other new finishes include three marble patterns and one that imitates agate. “It seems that designers everywhere are asking for stone patterns,” Embry says. “There’s growing interest nationwide for these laminates.” Information: Wilsonart Information Center, 600 General Bruce Drive, Temple, Tex. 76501.