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edited by Alexa Yablonski -- Interior Design, 2/1/2002 12:00:00 AM

Plane and Simple

Koch-Smith's simply elegant furniture offers proof positive that "Midwestern chic" is not an oxymoron. The company did, however, have humble beginnings. "We got together over pizza and beers and started drawing on napkins," designer Steve Koch says of his first meeting with his future partner, John Smith. The pair soon began to refine their ideas and create pieces informed by what Koch calls a Midwestern sensibility, meaning there's not a lot of ornamentation. What there is in abundance: fine craftsmanship and delicious details. "Everything is handmade, bench-made," he says. "We really take pride in the way our pieces are constructed." The pair's latest collection is Luxe. "It's more modern and 'now,' with a little less influence from styles of years gone by," Koch continues. Elliptical cutouts grace such items as a cabinet (right), coffee table, console, and daybed, which are made of mahogany, American white oak, or Macassar ebony with sumptuous shagreen accents. Koch-Smith further flexed its modern mode in Sin City, where the company designed furniture for the Ghost Bar at the Palms hotel. With sleek steel legs and high-tech upholstery, Koch-Smith's Ghost sofa (above) complements the Knoll classics sprinkled liberally through the hotel bar—but we think this phantom's presence would be welcome in any stylish setting. 1709 Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL 60654; www.koch-smith.com. circle 314

Spirited Accessories

Bernhardt: Jhane Barnes' Martini collection of occasional and coffee tables is perfectly balanced and positively swish, thanks to sexy metal column bases reminiscent of glass stems, paired with cocktail tray–like tops. The table shown measures 40 inches wide by 40 inches deep by 15 inches high. P.O. Box 740, 1839 Morganton Boulevard, Lenoir, NC 28645; www.bernhardtdesign.com. circle 315

Versace: It's easy to toast the good life with Versace's Lumiere liqueur glasses in hand. Available at select Versace boutiques. 888-383-7722; www.versace.com. circle 316

Bettyhome: With the creation of Bettyhome, interior designer and art dealer Betty Wasserman can add another title, furniture designer, to her credentials. Wasserman's first line of home furnishings includes this Bailey wine rack, made of maple and stainless steel. A woven-maple radiator cover, an ebonized cherry credenza, and 10 other pieces round out the collection. Betty Wasserman Art & Interiors, 4 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010; www.bettyhome.com. circle 317

M2L: Pandora is one space saver that surely surpasses the Murphy bed in cool. This sleek bar cabinet, designed by Konstantin Grcic, is custom-made for revelers relegated to a shoe-box apartment but desperate to entertain. Poised on slender metal legs, the simple box (26 inches long and 14 inches wide) unfolds to create counter space and slides open to expose a chrome bottle rack. Available in three fashion-forward finishes. 215 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10022. circle 318

Shine On

Lamontage: Before felt became the material du jour, Liora Manné was intrigued by its unique properties and successfully developed a technique to bind together hundreds of translucent layers to create rugs with painterly patterns and saturated colors. More recently, Manné has applied the process to lighting. The result? Warm—and warm-hearted—hanging lamps and sconces. 210 11th Avenue, New York, NY 10001. circle 319

Jiun Ho Collection: This elegant Cheverny table lamp is part of the Soleil Collection from San Francisco–based Jiun Ho. His premier lighting line includes five styles that embrace the look of luxury without going over the top. 133 Steiner Street, San Francisco, CA 94117; www.jiunho.com. circle 320

Album: These festive Rondine lights are elegant enough to leave up year-round. The halogen fixtures attach to the Orbite lighting system, a web of conductor and supporting cables. Contemporaria, 4926 Del Ray Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814; www.album.it. circle 321

Tronconi: By enlisting the likes of Christophe Pillet, Jean-Marie Massaud, and Theo Williams, whose Fold Table lamps are shown here, Tronconi ensures cutting-edge lighting solutions. Sharp designs from this Milanese company are now available through 100watt Network. 54 Greene Street, New York, NY 10013; www.100watt.net. circle 322

George Kovacs Lighting: Flats, the boldly graphic lamps designed by Andrew Schloss, are part of the Simply Kovacs Club, promoting simple and functional design at a reasonable price. 67-25 Otto Road, Glendale, NY 11385; www.georgekovacslighting.com. circle 323