September/October 2005

Glamorous Metamorphosis at Re De Fined Design by Patricia Gerlach Marlene Rimland fell helplessly in love while shopping at an estate sale—an experience that put a new spin on her 30-year career in interior design. The object of her affection—a 50-year-old table that was intact but had clearly seen better days—would not allow her to go home alone. "It kept singing to me," says Rimland whose experience enabled her to see the classic lines and quality construction beneath the grunge. "I had no use for it, but I had to have it—even just to give it to my partner who was moving into a loft." Her partner, Christopher Campbell, admires the timeless elegance of the table as much as Rimland.

It became the foundation of a new enterprise for the pair, Re De Fined Design, a Chicago partnership that searches for high-quality designer furniture made between the late '40s and the late '70s. Under their expert guidance, these recovered treasures—tables, chairs, sofas, and more—are gently coaxed into the 21st century with glamorous makeovers that enable them to transition seamlessly into today's upscale rooms. "The quality of this furniture in most cases is not available in today's market," says Campbell. "We can guarantee there is a fascinating story and rich history associated within this project." While they carefully avoid brand names, Paul McCobb, Baker, Edward Wormley, and Dunbar are signatures this rescue team is likely to come across. Under their expert guidance, these recovered treasures—tables, chairs, sofas, and more—are gently coaxed into the 21st century with glamorous makeovers that enable them to transition seamlessly into today's upscale rooms. Rimland and Campbell launch intensive searches for just the right piece. They look for American-made furniture, much of which represents a style identified as Midcentury Modern; they are highly protective of their sources. Both come from backgrounds that qualify their expertise. Rimland represents a third-generation family connection to the furniture industry. Campbell is the son of a sculptor who studied art and interior design. In their practice, each often designs custom furnishings for clients. Their expertise as interior designers enables them to identify classic pieces. These finds often become dramatic touches in their interior designs, which can be contemporary or traditional.

Once they acquire an object, it is studied, then turned over to master craftsmen, who strip it to a natural wood surface, in preparation for a finish that reflects today's styles. "This is either paint or stain, based on the particular inherent designs of each piece and its nature," says Rimland, who supervises color selection for all the furniture. Hinges and hardware are often replated or replaced even if that means jobbing the work out to a metallurgist. On arrival in her studio, the Cherries Jubilee credenza, a solid-cherry piece, had what Rimland calls a "sickly" green-paint finish. Its tambour doors damaged, and its once sleek fittings long gone. "With new panel doors, a highly polished, deep-oxblood finish and historically correct, newly fabricated hardware, the console took on a jewel-like appearance," says Kim Winzeler of Pauline Grace, a high-end contemporary furniture showroom. "It's an absolute knockout," says Winzeler. "Reproducing furniture is one thing, but to restore classic pieces as visionaries like Marlene and Christopher do, is an art form."
Winzeler's customer Lori Roberts agrees. She considered buying the credenza, but needed to make certain its scale would work in her living room. Leaving the showroom, Roberts spied the pair of chairs that Rimland and Campbell (who like to christen their work with evocative names) call Silver Seduction. "No doubt about it. I had to have them," say Roberts, who has homes in Barrington, a suburb northwest of Chicago, and in the south of France. "They represent just the right Hollywood 'glam' touch that gives my living room a jolt of pizzazz," says Roberts. "The fabric and the finish is just remarkable. "It's an absolute knockout... Reproducing furniture is one thing, but to restore classic pieces as visionaries like Marlene and Christopher do, is an art form." When salvaged by Rimland and Campbell, the walnut finish of both chairs was marred and their caned backs were frayed and sagging. Stripped, sanded, and massaged with a hand-rubbed silver finish, the chairs were clad in luscious upholstery. The result bore no resemblance to that once-dowdy appearance. Besides preserving exquisite classic furniture, Rimland and Campbell pride themselves in offering the restored beauties at prices far below the cost of comparative new pieces. For example, the pair of Silver Seduction chairs were priced below $2,000, and the Cherries Jubilee credenza sold for about $4,000. With some 60 pieces in various stages of completion, Rimland and Campbell remain intent in their desire to rescue classic furniture, and reincarnate it for today's interiors.