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In defense of relationships

Published on: By Gail Garlick

Amazon’s new grab and go store’s technology allows you to slip your credit card into a reader, take what you want and go. Great huh! But some are skeptical. Everything is pre-packaged. One size fits all. What’s good for Amazon is good for us too? I doubt it because some of us are gonna want mustard … Continued

Look Closely Again And Again

Published on: By Gail Garlick

Last week, I was very excited to see a larger version of appliques that I have in my home. They were shown in an auction catalogue and attributed to the influential Italian architect Tomasso Buzzi. Buzzi was friends and colleagues with Gio Ponti during the 1920’s and 1930’s. I’d bought my appliques, a single leafed … Continued

R.M Schindler

Published on: By Gail Garlick

  The early modernist Lechner House by R. M. Schindler was featured on the cover of last Sunday’s New York Times Style Magazine.  Restored by architect Pamela Shamshiri, who lives in it with her two children, it’s a modernist’s dream. I poured over the article, noting every wonderful detail and marveled at the extent to … Continued

Announcing Gio Ponti Fabrics at Good Design

Published on: By Gail Garlick

It’s my pleasure to announce that the Gio Ponti printed textiles will be available at Good Design. We are introducing these fabrics during What’s New What’s Next. Currently being produced by Tre80 whose founder is Fede Grampa,their production is exclusively authorized by the Gio Ponti archives.  These printed textiles are the result of a collaboration … Continued

I Sniffed That Console

Published on: By Gail Garlick

When I became a dealer, older dealers showed us newbies the art of hands-on inspection. This investigative work uses 4 of the 5 senses. Recently, while examining a unique cabinet by a well known Italian maker at an auction preview, I became uncomfortable. An interior bank of drawers looked fishy. I seemed to smell.. solvent … Continued

The Cradle of Italian Design

Published on: By Gail Garlick

Design books and magazine articles on the development of Italian Modernism and post war construction continuously champion the vital role played by Italy’s architects and larger manufacturers. As a result, the names of Ponti, Mollino, Albini, Ulrich, Mangiarotti, Frattini, Parisi, Sottsass, Scarpa, Cassina, Gavina are all very well known. Missing from the discourse however, are the … Continued

Cristal Art Important Glass Makers of Turin

Published on: By Gail Garlick

While Murano, is Italy’s most well known glass making center, nearby Milan, (Fontana Arte)  and Turin, (Cristal Art) had their own important glass making companies. Between the 1950’s and 1980’s Fontana Arte and Cristal Art were competitors.  In Good Design’s inventory, I‘ve two very special Cristal Art mirrors. Their manufacture was both labor intensive and … Continued

What’s the Value of Patina in Mid-Mod Antiques?

Published on: By Gail Garlick

Back in the 70s, I was dealing in 18th and 19th century American antiques. I was fortunate to live in Columbia County at a time when six or seven couples, all up and coming Americana dealers, were living there, too. Every one of them went on to become prominent dealers. Back then, we were all … Continued

The 3 Things You Need To Know About Your Dealer

Published on: By Gail Garlick

Three Essential Qualities to look for in a dealer—signs that you’re in right hands. Look for these elements to help build a working relationship with a reputable and accomplished dealer. INTEGRITY is the most important. A good dealer is  honest, and has strong moral principals. Dealers with integrity listen and respond directly to your questions. … Continued

Documentation; Authenticating Mid Century Modern Design

Published on: By Gail Garlick

In the Style of Attributed to By or Documented What does it all mean and why is it important to you? You’re considering buying an important piece of furniture, lighting, or decorative object. You’re going to pay a premium for a genuine work by an important maker. Good documentation is your insurance policy that your purchase … Continued

What’s It Worth? Antiques Appraisals

Published on: By Gail Garlick

That’s the 64,000 dollar question, people are always asking. The answer is—and I’m not trying to be coy here—it depends. Determining value is dependent on many factors; condition, timing, reasons for evaluating, location, number available in the marketplace, whether the item is currently being made, auction results and dealer prices. Here are some of the … Continued

Featured on Halstead: Hidden Secrets of a Furniture Dealer

Published on: By Gail Garlick

Recently, I contributed a piece to Halstead Property’s fantastic Tumblr Blog. We discussed unsung Italian design leaders, advice for buying and collecting vintage furniture, and trends in the modernism market. What made you become a modernism dealer? I started out as an Americana dealer in upstate New York. When I relocated to NYC I became … Continued