BIGGEST IMPACT ON THE COLLECTING OF 20TH-CENTURY DESIGN

Harry Bertoia, untitled (“Tree Form”), c. 1965, copper with applied patina, sold for $192,000 this past December.

The mixing of contemporary design with the classics is the biggest story unfolding now. Contemporary design is being marketed like contemporary art and that includes auctions selling the hot designers for high prices. The price points for new design, such as works by Marc Newson, are having an effect on the 20th-century market. Look at the Design Miami fair where so much limited-edition contemporary furniture was sold. So now you can see all the traditional 20th-century dealers going after the new paradigm—limited-edition contemporary art furniture at serious price points like $50,000. This is a whole different world from three years ago.

YOUR NEXT PURCHASE?
Remains to be seen—although we are looking for just the right dining table.

FUTURE PLANS FOR YOUR COLLECTION?
We don’t have an agenda, but are always looking.

YOUR FAVORITE ACCOMPANIMENT TO 20TH-CENTURY DESIGN?
Great art from any time. I don’t like matching the art to the furniture in terms of particular periods. There is almost always a dialogue to be found in high-quality pieces from nearly any style.

MOST VALUABLE ADVICE
Information is the most valuable commodity to a collector. Buy want you love and learn about what you buy. Learning and understanding about the designer, his body of work and the period adds so much to the experience.