We were pleased to have a dozen interior design professionals in the galleries this last Saturday, as part of a course taught annually by Diane Dorrans Saeks for the California College of the Arts. Diane and I chatted for the benefit of the attendees about English antiques and our own line of furniture, Contemporary Classics. Pleased to say, as well, the attendees seemed to enjoy the visit- or at least kept their yawns well stifled.
What Diane explicitly stressed was how important it is for design professionals to offer to their clients fine quality antiques in preference to even the best quality reproduction pieces. Clients must know that the reproduction pieces will be, her words ‘used furniture’ while the period pieces will always represent inherent value- if purchased from a dealer who offers value for money. And, she said, that dealer is probably the dealer whose primary market is not interior designers- but a dealer who trades primarily with collectors!
As often as I have had this discussion with the twenty or so devoted readers of my blog, and various and sundry others, it is cheering to fine someone of Diane’s stature making the point publically how important it is for designers to trade with accredited dealers who know their stuff. As Diane is, we are happy as well to provide designers with as much grounding in the antiques world as is necessary to assist them to do their jobs and properly serve their clients requirements.