Let Leigh and Leslie Keno loose in a designer showroom and the fun begins. The twin pillars of the antiques world, along with Leslie’s wife, Emily, gamely agreed to “tag” their favorite furnishings, the ones they think can stand the test of time. The brothers possess some of the sharpest (and bluest) eyes on the Antiques Roadshow, and their recent excursion through Manhattan design centers yielded an embarrassment of riches as well as a new definition for classic.” (“I think of a classic as a staple, or basic, in my decorating foundation,” explains Emily. “Whatever style or look I add to a room, a classic will hold its own.”)

The Keno brothers have rescued lost classics for most of their lives. Now they keep their eyes peeled for future classics, made today or in the last 50 years. “Our aesthetic instincts are based on proportion, line, balance, and craftsmanship,” explains Leigh. “True classics are rare, and while some borrow from earlier designs, the best break new ground and surprise us.”

Written by Doris Athineos
Photoraphed by Helen Norma