tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9283344161435446262024-02-07T01:40:24.621-08:00FP Victoria & SonFreddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-30589956776633829892012-02-21T07:08:00.000-08:002012-02-21T07:08:26.430-08:00Behind the Scenes at our One King's Lane Photo-shootWe are gearing up for our very first collaboration with One King's Lane. We still have a lot of work to do, but we took these clips during our marathon photo-shoot. Hope you enjoy the preview!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NsmGplZJMhg" width="560"></iframe>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-86101207420694064122011-12-16T07:01:00.000-08:002011-12-16T07:01:18.305-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
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Thoughts for 2012<br />
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As my father and I prepare for 2012, I keep coming back to one primary concern: Europe.<br />
My concern is not so much about whether or not specific countries default on their debt, the EU finds a way to muddle through somehow, or even if the currency falls apart. My main concern is about lending and the crisis’s effects on confidence and spending. Unfortunately, uncertainty about the various possible outcomes have already had an impact in this area – European banking institutions have reportedly been shoring up their balance sheets by repatriating assets and curtailing lending and there are also reports US institutions are curtailing their daily overnight lending to those same European banks.<br />
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If this condition persists and credit becomes less and less available, it will work its way through the European and US economies down to the level of small firms’ and individuals’ sources of credit. The prospects are similar to 2008, when central banks increased funding to banks to help them weather the mortgage crisis: that increased credit did not continue much further past the banks’ balance sheets. Our experience was that the impact of this on our industry seemed to be felt about a year or 2 later, in late 2009 and 2010, which, besides natural lags, was I think probably due to the lead times associated with most projects.<br />
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So, our concern is: the longer the uncertainty of any resolution to the European crisis persists, we will have a continued general reduction in the availability of credit. And I believe this uncertainty will translate into reduced economic activity, in a broad sense. However, within our industry, recent activity seems to give reason for some optimism. Our experience is that this activity has been centered around the higher end spectrum – either truly style defining pieces or commissioned pieces that address a clients exact needs. In both cases, pricing has been essential to reinforce the value proposition of a piece or project to the client.<br />
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Here is what it boils down to in our in house discussions:<br />
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<li>We expect the euro to lose value against the dollar for at least the 1<span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="sup" mce_style="vertical-align: super;" style="vertical-align: super;">st</span> half of 2012</li>
<li>We are watching for borrowing costs to start increasing in the US sometime near the middle of the year.</li>
<li>To insulate against any potential slowdown, we suggest modeling budgets around flat and/or lower revenue expectations for 2012.</li>
<li>Cutting costs associated with high cost/potential client marketing – in other words cutting expensive marketing efforts with limited potential client exposure in favor of efforts that enhance our web presence.</li>
<li>Pricing pieces and projects to reinforce the value represented by a piece to clients will remain key.</li>
<li>We believe we are only seeing the beginning of a new-ish trend focusing on the unique character of a piece. We believe that clients will be increasingly sensitive to owning items unique to them or to a very limited number of people. Items that set them apart from their peers and define their home or taste.</li>
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Happy Holidays and best wishes to you and yours for 2012!<br />
Freddy & Tony</div>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-25677556122576412172011-10-28T12:31:00.000-07:002011-10-28T12:31:47.119-07:00A new formatAs you may have seen on our homepage, we have started something new: we have created our first online look-book. The idea behind this is to create a format highlighting our one-of-a-kind pieces in settings that reinforce the unique character of each piece. We wanted it to be something more pleasing to the eye than a simple catalog. So the plan is to periodically produce brief books of our unique items, either antique or our own designs, in equally as unique settings.<br />
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We hope you enjoy our first effort at it!<br />
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<a href="http://issuu.com/fvictoria/docs/fpv_holiday_2011?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222" target="_blank">Open publication</a> - Free <a href="http://issuu.com/" target="_blank">publishing</a> - <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=antique" target="_blank">More antique</a></div>
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<a href="http://issuu.com/fvictoria/docs/fpv_holiday_2011?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222">FPV Holiday 2011</a>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-70468005950734018192011-08-22T08:25:00.000-07:002011-08-22T08:38:52.697-07:00The same, but different...<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><p>We recently re-discovered a <a href="http://www.fpvictoria.com/store/index.php/products/a-custom-pair-of-end-tables-with-rojo-alacante-marbles.html">custom pair of our model R644</a> end tables and it got me thinking it might be fun to see how we have adapted the model over the years. Fortunately, we have images of some the various ways we have made this model for clients.</p><p>This black and white image below is of the original my grandfather made in the 1950’s with a Rouge Royale marble slab top over a single drawer with 2 drawer fronts and a partially enclosed shelf.</p></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPCZRsiJTQEQyxagKGBIn3845-sdllZy1MihE6TS3ylK-Na4vE66eLrpgmloPnBpXYTBI1nfvIA1o2rcu2cFE3Q9pDsgaJ-B3Cfn1kzgW_YNu7VkNt4WRgYK-4i44V8UtX1EJCE7feAM/s320/R644+BW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643702606856281138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 269px; " /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">This is the same model but in a natural mahogany finish without its marble top or any of its hardware.</span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwILblHTCEP_mKb8zUN25zSQsn7HD0CEWyuqCBC5uWXtzyhUSu9b52O7wQbWNyDtcCIxTIWre9TtejjyuIzsq8K9LXjEtpMC3ReVeW7cSv7nDPmfzND4Xxz_MdIn1RLm0vEKVn47CRENg/s320/Easton+Carnavon+R644+nat+wood.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643702614169364226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Here is one of the pair that we <a href="http://www.fpvictoria.com/store/index.php/products/a-custom-pair-of-end-tables-with-rojo-alacante-marbles.html">now have available</a>. This smaller pair was probably made by us sometime in the late 1980’s. The marble is Rojo Alacante.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSkTNuKziDfHTUqhlqIgKTGaPHzI5PYgbTq80kIcq66KVwjlGHmYZOx9jWjlc6XgYF90EtqOufv3ZSnDKQmn4y7J4B2gKwdogWfjgbB6ojCRZS4ICTn8FDV1ILOMs4YwRjx3_IbCNq1Q/s1600/Williams+R644+Gottw+final+CR+12-7-10+C.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSkTNuKziDfHTUqhlqIgKTGaPHzI5PYgbTq80kIcq66KVwjlGHmYZOx9jWjlc6XgYF90EtqOufv3ZSnDKQmn4y7J4B2gKwdogWfjgbB6ojCRZS4ICTn8FDV1ILOMs4YwRjx3_IbCNq1Q/s1600/Williams+R644+Gottw+final+CR+12-7-10+C.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRsJEy0On6b9fX5u8QwJ4Xe2FR5rcy8uyElapm9Ds7KKOtQC_9dXWWTd3UOX8FaRviAm2lIC7ckyBOZ99JJpv8ylI6nZYAWglFWHOJx7B6rn-ReE0TUnCuh5o7SPWXwxiWLbOq3OB5-8/s1600/L7394+A.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRsJEy0On6b9fX5u8QwJ4Xe2FR5rcy8uyElapm9Ds7KKOtQC_9dXWWTd3UOX8FaRviAm2lIC7ckyBOZ99JJpv8ylI6nZYAWglFWHOJx7B6rn-ReE0TUnCuh5o7SPWXwxiWLbOq3OB5-8/s320/L7394+A.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643702766968261874" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I really love the scale of this other pair of smaller versions of the table, particularly for a bed side. The marble slabs are Carrara.</span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKlOyF7kUI5BRBXSmXzhvvEba2KilLtY65X9G0-ZD0IEgl16eqckIiS-p6cauqMXn91GBl_7vvPow7ahcEdZV7NBU5iQUvOXLKN3VAovicVNo6lY7t1olFSj8nhRZkyJpv7f0wKS9Qzg/s320/R644+Easton+Steel+A.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643702613042163410" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Finally here is a larger scale version of the table. You can see the model size on the left in the image below. Because the client in this case wanted a particularly deep drawer, we had to eliminate the partially enclosed shelf altogether. There is still only one drawer, but with 3 drawer fronts. Why such a deep drawer? To house the client’s gun box. This also presented some challenges to be sure the drawer could support the weight when it was pulled out. But we have no images to illustrate that. The top is a painted faux marble.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSkTNuKziDfHTUqhlqIgKTGaPHzI5PYgbTq80kIcq66KVwjlGHmYZOx9jWjlc6XgYF90EtqOufv3ZSnDKQmn4y7J4B2gKwdogWfjgbB6ojCRZS4ICTn8FDV1ILOMs4YwRjx3_IbCNq1Q/s1600/Williams+R644+Gottw+final+CR+12-7-10+C.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSkTNuKziDfHTUqhlqIgKTGaPHzI5PYgbTq80kIcq66KVwjlGHmYZOx9jWjlc6XgYF90EtqOufv3ZSnDKQmn4y7J4B2gKwdogWfjgbB6ojCRZS4ICTn8FDV1ILOMs4YwRjx3_IbCNq1Q/s320/Williams+R644+Gottw+final+CR+12-7-10+C.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643702619267104818" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></p></span></div>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-56626569594793954902011-07-12T11:24:00.000-07:002011-07-12T11:30:48.251-07:00F.P. Victoria + Son Trade Tips: Pichon a Uzes<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t7zNNOjIlck?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">Above is a short video of Tony discussing Pichon pottery. Pichon à Uzes is a family owned factory founded in 1802 in the town of Uzes. The firm is still in business under Chirstophe Pichon, more information is available here:<span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit;"><a href="http://www.ceramique-pichon.com/">http://www.ceramique-pichon.com/</a></span></span> . In the video, Tony shares some examples of Pichon’s work from his own private collection as well as 2 pieces from our current inventory (<span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit;"><a href="http://www.fpvictoria.com/store/index.php/catalogsearch/result/?q=pichon&x=0&y=0">http://www.fpvictoria.com/store/index.php/catalogsearch/result/?q=pichon&x=0&y=0</a></span></span>)</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">What drew us to this potter was their wonderful mixed earth ceramics and use of color. Similar to the more well-known Apt ware (<span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit;"><a href="http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O256569/bowl-and-cover/">http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O256569/bowl-and-cover/</a></span></span>), which is only about 100miles or so from Uzes in the south of France, Pichon combined different types of clay to create a “marbleized” look to the finished piece. Below is an example we owned previously of various cream, brown and red earths from about 1930.</p></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqjaPVoEld6x-OcqClptQdMwoRynsG1rXGTnYoKXmx-imGVrbbChqombwAgix3HVjJ6sEinqpbdraYak5inzIthrtPY1zNnKw42cOLwyBEDjd6QksweGBpSiCZAF8WmslFinsEiE74t8/s320/L6370.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628533735034799538" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">It must be noted that this is fundamentally different from a marbleized or crystallized effect achieved through using different colored glazes. While no less beautiful, in that process colored glazes are applied to an existing, already fired, body of a single earth ceramic – similar to the idea of “painting” on a blank canvas. This is opposed to mixed earth ceramics, like from Pichon and Apt, in which the ceramic itself is made up of different types of earth. When you consider that each of the earths has a unique firing temperature, and the difficulty involved in successfully firing a whole piece, it is remarkable. An easy way to tell whether or not a ceramic is mixed earth is to examine any two sides of one section: if it is mixed earth, the interior and the exterior will both show the different earths, versus only the decorative glazing on the outside.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">Pichon à Uzes is truly adept in their use of earths in their ceramics. While some earths, such as greens, whites, browns, and yellows, are more commonly found in mixed earth pottery, Pichon was able add blues and reds. Below is a wonderful example from about 1900.</p></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9HzpjgaQE1DTfzOKMoyTI-YRr7du2sn6Y1OruMZMs0KBpa4iQXtkHD8N3YzkIY5j50RK2QKvgt7xXvUHK1bBgBCDyguP7n00iISRQ013D2zdhxrrRVyzSBCS1vHQKlpRvjOXKb_ogv8/s320/L7356.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628533735076512850" /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">Here is what we love about Pichon à Uzes:</p><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 1.5em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: disc; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">A family owned firm with a long history</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">A less well known firm with remarkable products to discover</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">A technically challenging product to produce that reflects the skill involved in its making.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">A beautiful result!</li></ul></span></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-60634172767350735202011-06-02T13:23:00.001-07:002011-06-03T06:44:55.767-07:00An Old Holiday Card...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FYjPV87sx4LiGMjaNNVSDz19dAn1onuu1t5tuZVGVH_SNwLAHR4RHIMJIzk-eexcvmN991e9SortZQQQ962npr6bFVd-weZMS3aZXbt-QOhqUF2VqZc0dr0oLXbg_E6u3nfSdRy7QHE/s1600/Elsie+de+Wolf+Xmas+card+1950.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FYjPV87sx4LiGMjaNNVSDz19dAn1onuu1t5tuZVGVH_SNwLAHR4RHIMJIzk-eexcvmN991e9SortZQQQ962npr6bFVd-weZMS3aZXbt-QOhqUF2VqZc0dr0oLXbg_E6u3nfSdRy7QHE/s320/Elsie+de+Wolf+Xmas+card+1950.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613720939136664786" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; ">We had quite an exciting discovery last weekend - Tony found this old holiday card from Elsie de Wolfe to my grandfather, Frederick Victoria! It seems to be from 1950, and shows a super-imposed bust of Lady Mendl between her two dogs, all of which is supper-imposed on a, rather nice, marble mantel piece. Moreover, it confirms Elsie de Wolfe as a pioneer since she appears to have started photoshopping before the program even existed!</span>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-33331755987555472592011-05-10T08:25:00.000-07:002011-05-10T09:16:52.433-07:00FP Victoria on Park Opening<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "><p>Here are some photos from the opening evening at our pop-up installation at <a href="http://thesilverpeacock.com/">The Silver Peacock</a> last week. The pop-up is a collaboration between FPV and The Silver Peacock, so most of the furniture you see is ours, while most of the objects and linens are from The Silver Peacock. With all the pieces we brought in and the abundance of items already there, the whole effort could have easily fallen into chaos. But we were very fortunate to have the talented<a href="http://christopherbboshears.com/"> Christopher Boshears's</a> eye to style and edit the space so harmoniously - not an easy task!</p><p>We promise to post more images, and perhaps a video, of the space itself soon! In the meantime, please come by and visit it for yourself if you are in town. The Silver Peacock is located at 1110 Park Avenue, between 89th & 90th streets, 212.426.2610.</p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDIEsGcyHq3xWwfQw-6ttQAzhqeieezVxEwxo9H9_54iYqvH08cyVg20zoPGDssNIDwyLg3eI4wFxKXejvyfFYEXiyJV5Tfqe128HLVrvKuEzrOWL0sa2QORaKYQ-dieLRncGYnhuwlo/s320/Victoria%2540silver+peacock070.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605114363994360850" /><div style="text-align: center;">Charlie Akwa of The Silver Peacock, Christopher Boshears, Mary-Katherine Ryan, Todd Stein </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSM0DdnxwlkSe3wdPVS_jJi9W1yq4RvOi5azkDDaa8LOxn7OpmFLwTjAu9yYN31bB8VCIXWcQsamTQL1cuAXb2v6bUqEB33hKhKpyQvbIaIBfpW0jUlWgemtPfr5p3amzg8bSTHpEhk0/s1600/Victoria%2540silver+peacock074.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSM0DdnxwlkSe3wdPVS_jJi9W1yq4RvOi5azkDDaa8LOxn7OpmFLwTjAu9yYN31bB8VCIXWcQsamTQL1cuAXb2v6bUqEB33hKhKpyQvbIaIBfpW0jUlWgemtPfr5p3amzg8bSTHpEhk0/s320/Victoria%2540silver+peacock074.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605114914128801442" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Alex Papachristidis</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlS8RsKwfXHmwkb_0p4H4aBw9mWd3zkfr0lPLJ4EvxUHBrh7gijgXAWqGsdb8kmMlgMOvqTyKiMNfFXz945neUcIZM1vEK_08C-2RZ8JBfSh9mJlCltgaWy9Y-51AHWbYhdzuhImNg-5E/s1600/Victoria%2540silver+peacock056+cropped.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlS8RsKwfXHmwkb_0p4H4aBw9mWd3zkfr0lPLJ4EvxUHBrh7gijgXAWqGsdb8kmMlgMOvqTyKiMNfFXz945neUcIZM1vEK_08C-2RZ8JBfSh9mJlCltgaWy9Y-51AHWbYhdzuhImNg-5E/s320/Victoria%2540silver+peacock056+cropped.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605114782215484178" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Tony Victoria and Mary-Jane Pool, former editor-in-chief of House & Garden</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZBQQ-dNsCZCcKpGjjSspn2s89xubk0tB9JbHEB-lhZNlb47ja7yICLeoV9Hx1-z4vPueInBuxyWD2Bb2hth8mj6oeKi2VcBjLz8b1m6SXYox6kFCTvo9ypZciIjBD8jyBjah0EcONQ4/s1600/Victoria%2540silver+peacock091.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZBQQ-dNsCZCcKpGjjSspn2s89xubk0tB9JbHEB-lhZNlb47ja7yICLeoV9Hx1-z4vPueInBuxyWD2Bb2hth8mj6oeKi2VcBjLz8b1m6SXYox6kFCTvo9ypZciIjBD8jyBjah0EcONQ4/s320/Victoria%2540silver+peacock091.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605114774351756626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Robert Kaner, James Andrew and Susan Victoria</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7VQk0KBcmojecsot52dFOG6cPNKi0CJt8XY9vlc1JbAqF5yM9E6t8xazS8NSrL4js-RShvUaWCV0RhgvRJeMs4I2ZkhSnNCfaql_4pIxU6Er0Azwsfp-vyiVkTRVsjObSdiIoL6johY/s1600/Victoria%2540silver+peacock090.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7VQk0KBcmojecsot52dFOG6cPNKi0CJt8XY9vlc1JbAqF5yM9E6t8xazS8NSrL4js-RShvUaWCV0RhgvRJeMs4I2ZkhSnNCfaql_4pIxU6Er0Azwsfp-vyiVkTRVsjObSdiIoL6johY/s320/Victoria%2540silver+peacock090.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605114775781087058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Maureen Footer</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4REwhis5ajlutSeqUZJfkdg4hSshtwSZsed6UzYBhCb3Sp0g3ljVc6ogRA3N5ljmIolac8niACrPG0nwI36KhumnCDyZdF5wSMi-J9ecY-W-1J1eKmAfeprUaR4X5Yleu68tG7jlhJcE/s1600/Victoria%2540silver+peacock084.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4REwhis5ajlutSeqUZJfkdg4hSshtwSZsed6UzYBhCb3Sp0g3ljVc6ogRA3N5ljmIolac8niACrPG0nwI36KhumnCDyZdF5wSMi-J9ecY-W-1J1eKmAfeprUaR4X5Yleu68tG7jlhJcE/s320/Victoria%2540silver+peacock084.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605114769893163138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Christopher Boshears</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbVE7naieC4B7ZqZVzxy_UFSVvI74rlQfAOk8kA9GVoRoUFtrHKy3LcEblzcHBpllKQZV4JemJtCM3SC2vWX_96Gz-ebR41LA15VEyOeIWFC2hT5fNFP0TpbwNRNW4bSu4GX6-1crvY0/s1600/Victoria%2540silver+peacock080.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbVE7naieC4B7ZqZVzxy_UFSVvI74rlQfAOk8kA9GVoRoUFtrHKy3LcEblzcHBpllKQZV4JemJtCM3SC2vWX_96Gz-ebR41LA15VEyOeIWFC2hT5fNFP0TpbwNRNW4bSu4GX6-1crvY0/s320/Victoria%2540silver+peacock080.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605114379851289282" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Freddy Victoria, Dennis Rolland, and Tony Victoria</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgIGvZBHCDFUcRs-IIi_qvrH81zY7RwXlwScCHh8_LY16lsrCFYapjFNDufZvd2PAq4ltjbdRGxKfpE1jIiFOdmsCd1G99uk6IPPU-XOdFfsyxEuWTbEQroQ7yN10hvfU8KHitfzNKsQ/s320/Victoria%2540silver+peacock050.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 217px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605114364223876290" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpO68jQ4xo_vm55w0Adn_VHy2m9kOoObcCkqPXCIIxEI3OWCPWq3nTQkavqGdph7NJYbqWdNYGWDmk0HxSje4ADK4PvPJm1X-7HC5e4Bj_W2Q2D6b-SJrMFbUbsUjbk6jqHYB1TAhv8xw/s1600/Victoria%2540silver+peacock076.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpO68jQ4xo_vm55w0Adn_VHy2m9kOoObcCkqPXCIIxEI3OWCPWq3nTQkavqGdph7NJYbqWdNYGWDmk0HxSje4ADK4PvPJm1X-7HC5e4Bj_W2Q2D6b-SJrMFbUbsUjbk6jqHYB1TAhv8xw/s320/Victoria%2540silver+peacock076.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605114375835354738" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Tony Victoria and Mel Dwork </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8TginjdTuDhbeCRviJuA1gJTKg0MXairb_LOUFMYMa47kQMKuGxuescd7jwWoRQ5bXz_aueQymwN6WjvVSmKOUP8uN7sRqWe0PksBhY2JjG9nEypI2lGZuJk7iKZXQOijhmjegtKT9Y/s320/Victoria%2540silver+peacock054.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605114360926644210" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-8930422272069666252011-01-29T07:12:00.000-08:002011-01-29T07:13:37.902-08:00Louis XV Coiffeuse Armchair<div>We recently added this wonderful armchair to our available antique inventory. It's quite charming and rare - it had a specific use as well as being made later in the Louis XV period, as it was just beginning to transition into the Louis XVI style. So to highlight the unique character of this chair we are trying something new - a short video clip, similar to our Trade Tips, explaining briefly some of the chair's finer qualities in what we hope is a more engaging format. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hope you enjoy it.</div><div><br /></div><iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1U5Ed3JKjI0?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-59848410171384501592011-01-24T07:38:00.001-08:002011-01-24T07:44:16.839-08:00Winter Antiques Show Highlights<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; ">This is a bit hastily written, but last Thursday the 2011 Winter Antiques Show opened at the Park Avenue Armory and we wanted to share some highlights. Tony spent all day Wednesday there as chairman of the Decorative Arts vetting committee, and is in fact back there as I write this. Below are some of his favorite pieces which he snapped photos of with his camera phone - so I apologize for the quality of the images.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzGTN8Ql5QdyO8y7UOg-gZY-sUKN3sx5ArJ7RlzgwML9XJNxsJgQltjOoyBrNTP4DJF8AnpSD1zQz8VNlkNdP9Yl7qKA6NUKAAE4BHGfI49Bu_dFn9QG2JA8oYzFiwf9ij4tqoNM6lps/s320/winter+show+1-11+katz.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 161px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565777408776028930" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; ">Here is a pair of fountain-head sculptural masks listed as being from Chateau du Fontainebleau in the booth of the London-based deal, <a href="katz.co.uk">Daniel Katz, Ltd</a>. Wonderful detail. Reminded me of our own, latter, bronze mask that you may recognize as our main image on Facebook.</span><br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i_ha-vRu391tGVDUeEa4AkjHIKmIkHZS0YTGGKrkUuqO2hTRS2vHPVqXMDL-vPsl5ueggVKFHxOQuWKJ4OBAt7Apu6NCA1oHvFB5Idkse4QXJJBMDAa2bULH7V077-ydn6RvNuLELKY/s1600/winter+show+1-11+Thibault.JPG"></a><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9aOw5p6C9Ptyw0YJnIytbg0vtxceOLubXH0lqa5Xy9o8fLzrOmtsALXFnR_wnG3-3uU341M5Om5GxkB_Zlsb_Y-6c1pGbSLnQWDpQrnClQ8xdHly09I4j-xEMZhtoZgbub4PSEN88VU/s320/winter+show+1-11+lost+City.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565777606810854050" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; ">This is the booth of NYC-based dealer Jim Elkins and <a href="lostcityarts.com">Lost City Arts</a>. In the front center there is a great, rare sculpture by Paul Evans, from very early in his career.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i_ha-vRu391tGVDUeEa4AkjHIKmIkHZS0YTGGKrkUuqO2hTRS2vHPVqXMDL-vPsl5ueggVKFHxOQuWKJ4OBAt7Apu6NCA1oHvFB5Idkse4QXJJBMDAa2bULH7V077-ydn6RvNuLELKY/s1600/winter+show+1-11+Thibault.JPG"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i_ha-vRu391tGVDUeEa4AkjHIKmIkHZS0YTGGKrkUuqO2hTRS2vHPVqXMDL-vPsl5ueggVKFHxOQuWKJ4OBAt7Apu6NCA1oHvFB5Idkse4QXJJBMDAa2bULH7V077-ydn6RvNuLELKY/s1600/winter+show+1-11+Thibault.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i_ha-vRu391tGVDUeEa4AkjHIKmIkHZS0YTGGKrkUuqO2hTRS2vHPVqXMDL-vPsl5ueggVKFHxOQuWKJ4OBAt7Apu6NCA1oHvFB5Idkse4QXJJBMDAa2bULH7V077-ydn6RvNuLELKY/s320/winter+show+1-11+Thibault.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565777611430372786" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "><p mce_style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left; ">This really speaks for itself. A striking late Art Deco French lounge chair in the booth of NYC-based dealer<a href="Carolle@ctpdecorativearts.com"> Carolle Thibaut-Pomerant</a><a href="http://www.fpvictoria.com/blog/wp-admin/Carolle@ctpdecorativearts.com" mce_href="Carolle@ctpdecorativearts.com" target="_blank">z</a>.</p><p mce_style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left; ">The show runs through January 30th.</p></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "><br /></span></div></div></div>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-60468133971165072052011-01-10T07:12:00.000-08:002011-01-10T07:12:56.463-08:00Trade Tips 5: Upholstery Trim<div>Hope 2011 is of to a great start for you! Here is the second video clip in our 3-part series on upholstery. This short video covers the basic methods of upholstery trim. Enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XDySk24kKeU?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-66398758596485236642011-01-03T11:19:00.000-08:002011-01-03T11:20:51.098-08:00Notes for 2011<div style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font: normal normal normal 13px/19px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; padding-top: 0.6em; padding-right: 0.6em; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0.6em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><p>The last few weeks of 2010, as I try and think about what we might expect from 2011, reading the headlines alternating between recovery and recession themed stories has been frustrating. For every legitimate story evidencing the nascent recovery, there is at least one or more that cause me to pause. Most recently, the holiday shopping period was generally considered successful and stronger than last year, but how much of this was due to steep discounting is hard to tell. Is this really a sign of economic strength or is it an illusion created by significantly reduced prices?</p><p>There are some encouraging metrics that support the recovery side of the debate. As of October, disposable income and personal consumption were both up slightly less than 4% year on year, and consumption of durable goods was up 8.5% year on year (according to the Bureau for Economic Analysis). All this while inflation is hovering around 1%. Consumers are also continuing to reduce their overall debt levels.</p><p>But on the negative side of the ledger, there is relatively high unemployment, which no one expects to substantially improve any time soon; relatively tight credit; and seemingly no pricing power. So we have something happening that intuitively is not what you’d typically expect: significant areas of weakness along with pockets of legitimate strength, sometimes in areas that you would expect to be dragged down by that same weakness.</p><p>Discounting has been especially interesting in the luxury market. Technology and mobile phones have made price information and comparison a reality and sites like Gilt and One Kings Lane have made high priced luxury goods available at bargain prices. Both of these trends have helped blur the line between luxury and ordinary. So if luxe and ordinary goods are closely priced, are mass market consumers “trading up” while luxe goods are “trading down”? I am betting that when anybody gets a luxe good at discount they still feel like they got a “deal” and value for their money.</p><p>That people are more careful with their money today is a foregone conclusion. But that does not mean they are not spending it. In fact, spending on “luxury goods” is at or above pre-Recession levels based on studies by American Express and Bain & Co (stories here: <a href="http://www.luxurydaily.com/luxury-sector-sales-rebound-to-historic-high-of-2007-bain/" mce_href="http://www.luxurydaily.com/luxury-sector-sales-rebound-to-historic-high-of-2007-bain/">http://www.luxurydaily.com/luxury-sector-sales-rebound-to-historic-high-of-2007-bain/</a> and <a href="http://www.luxurydaily.com/luxury-spending-higher-than-pre-recession-levels-american-express/" mce_href="http://www.luxurydaily.com/luxury-spending-higher-than-pre-recession-levels-american-express/">http://www.luxurydaily.com/luxury-spending-higher-than-pre-recession-levels-american-express/</a> )</p><p>So just like in the broader economy, we have a bifurcation taking place between strength and weakness, or in this case “true” luxury goods and discounted or mass market goods where luxury goods that can establish their authenticity and value actually have some degree of pricing power. The difference now is people need to understand the value behind a good versus the branded image it is trying to portray. More like an informed and discerning demand vs. conspicuous consumption.</p><p>When prices between luxury and ordinary goods are blurred and both high-end and mass market consumers are justifiably taking advantage of discount pricing, the way for a luxury good or service to set itself apart will be to clearly establish its superior quality and originality. If price does not set a luxury good or service apart from their mass market counterparts, then what does? The intense creative development process and an uncompromising attention to detail and quality.</p><p>Ironically, how companies convey this will be thru the same medium that this shift to quality is moving away from – the brand. However, instead of the superficial, carefully manufactured brand of the 1990’s, companies will need to let clients into the creative process so that they can see the brand is an accurate reflection of what the company produces. If you want to be associated with quality and authenticity, then clients need to see this in what goes into making their good and throughout their experience with you. Thankfully, the same technology that has made price comparison so easy makes other types of information also available, including information to help them discern luxury versus ordinary.</p><p>So, how are we preparing for 2011?</p><p>We plan to reinforce our attention to our clients and their experience with us from the first phone call or web visit, through development, and after their purchase or project is complete.</p><p>We plan to continue with introducing our own in-house line of limited edition pieces and signature items.</p><p>We will continue and broaden our efforts to illustrate to clients our development process and the craftsmanship and level of detail that we put into our pieces.</p></div>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-36788888067402320142010-12-16T07:00:00.000-08:002010-12-16T07:05:03.023-08:00Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!<div>A holiday message from Tony and Freddy. Best wishes to all of our friends for a happy and healthy 2011!</div><iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/u5DBRZHLry0?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-4901969136442838372010-12-13T08:11:00.000-08:002010-12-13T08:14:30.243-08:00F.P. Victoria + Son Trade Tips 4<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "><p>Hello! We have taken far too long to put this next batch of videos together, but we are happy to finally have one for you to see.</p><p>This video is the first of a three part series we are devoting to upholstery. All too often these days, we find chairs that have had some foam thrown on a frame, with some fabric haphazardly stapled over it, accepted as standard practice. Upholstery is truly an art and can, without a doubt, make or break a chair. We have divided the series into "Upholstery Styles and Appearance," "Upholstery Trim," and "Upholstery Construction." Three short video clips certainly aren't enough to cover a broad topic like upholstery, but we hope it will help remind us all of what to look for in high-quality upholstery and how upholstery can enhance the unique character of a piece.</p><p>We hope you enjoy the first video on Upholstery Styles and Appearance.</p></span></div><div><br /></div><iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/p6w963mR2y0?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-89008113819089538322010-10-20T06:47:00.001-07:002010-10-20T07:01:12.812-07:00Preview shots of Todd Romano's Los Angeles showroom<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; ">First, it has been far too long since we posted anything, even for a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; ">poster as infrequent as us. Sorry for that. On the plus side we have been busy and are planning more Trade Tips videos.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "><p>One thing keeping us busy was a trip to visit Todd Romano's new showroom in Los Angeles, which is carrying a few of our pieces. Todd has done a magnificent job with his new space, which includes 2 buildings and an outdoor courtyard and walkway! He has finished the walls of each of the rooms in a different color high-gloss lacquer style finish and even built out a wall for a faux fireplace which he covered in antiqued mirror (on which, I am proud to say, hangs our Faceted Serge Roche style mirror). Todd has brought the same attention to detail and refinement to his new showroom as he does to his inventory selections and decorating jobs.</p><p>Todd is in the process of re-doing his website, which will include the new showroom. But until it is ready, here are some snap-shots I took. Enjoy!</p><p mce_style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center; ">Todd Alexander Romano</p><p mce_style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center; ">930 North La Cienega Blvd</p><p mce_style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center; ">Los Angeles, CA 90069</p><p mce_style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center; ">(310) 855-1280</p></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YgFY7voMMuHN9UCGvRHYk80xxi2sliwCDgrYySTE84qw6BGZzu3XEbsMx-rw25A-tywxnyMeVCNZEGRV-io5Zobtdk7tHebvFmRayC3eZgVtXgMiq4DKEt4f1Hh7LrxBLnOx5-eWhdQ/s400/R1094+Romano+web.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530126493743498546" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLq1UXOzviaTFkX0sqoZ5l9kcJ5d0d-W0TjOPE4D_aJvj-33A1yHcVYKS4BZWSaav0g1jknZmA0QelvK48k1c3msOD61mqx2CDkyA8aJIE_wTZKog8Hxowh0_-JxVhgyhyphenhyphenTtF6gcBIeM/s320/Romano+LA+10.2010+007.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530125690035390834" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ15YUP-14T1M0QXfrk1BkseXXbEQaERGVn36PMOMjzaoF-YN-Dt9avhPuFc1HbNai4TcIR1-XxGfPzuopOBhIAAH5kWiN4AbxicmToQ5DF2u47rCAL5iD6-dOUbpkUVR8Tw5TO7PvGKU/s320/Romano+LA+10.2010+013.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530125682871250322" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYZul8gI0gnj48pRYTAgKMWYxXBt3jNP7erpZ5Y8fExQuCtzLNzinF49jzzcRAeeYW_UMVBq1NhsmWbr1U6VCzAyl6oKwWeY_bs1ME8OPBpBlfLIijBNqhXSNWImMWNYNPUzIbLDtzWM/s320/Romano+LA+10.2010+010.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530125697718864850" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluhiMb_hrn_DZID31k-wkzXSvviM1xBDJSDB6S523uF8ZpY4p1t9X1wvVJJDG-2wKw8r-eOPbuLryI-aZ73EvUVMdQao3hco2avspkKFipm30L-B8djV7n4dKUIq-FK3vLmWhFPazTWE/s320/Romano+LA+10.2010+009.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530126836707425810" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV26pKt3ji4hR8qyZa8EFor4aupDD4TbopK21sn6RsPYZvhXC6WTDdbZv2GLl9GeGW5xShRcwWOr3zvH3xw-HaO8x5IXTPBjq_ji0NFLIoFFVEbdrgX4DzTezpMh53_Z4Mxwf2YOQfcI8/s320/Romano+LA+10.2010+008.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530127656222175378" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></div></span>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-5794487851362099732010-09-21T06:27:00.000-07:002010-09-21T07:15:29.811-07:00Trade Tips: 18th Century French Chairs<div>Here is our third Trade Tips video clip! Tony Victoria covers the defining characteristics of Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI chairs as well as the transitional periods. He offers some great details to look for to help you identify the different styles. We hope you find it useful and enjoyable! </div><div><br /></div><div>Note: you may need to to turn up your volume since we had to film a bit farther away this time to fit everything in the shot. Sorry!</div><div><br /></div><object style="background-image:url(http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/X5WaJ2oVQiw/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/X5WaJ2oVQiw?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/X5WaJ2oVQiw?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-42607079743411286372010-09-01T06:19:00.000-07:002010-09-01T06:21:20.112-07:00Trade Tips: Chair Frame Construction<div>We just finished our second Trade Tips video clip. This segment covers some of the basics of traditional chair construction and some key dimensions to keep in mind regarding chair design and comfortability. We hope you find it useful! Have a great Labor Day weekend!</div><div><br /></div><object style="background-image:url(http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/08YVXNc8nR4/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/08YVXNc8nR4?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/08YVXNc8nR4?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-33179894009130220802010-08-17T06:40:00.000-07:002010-08-17T06:47:11.624-07:00Trade Tips: Gilding Techniques<div>Tony and I are trying something new - video blog clips! We shot our first "Trade Tips" clip yesterday. It is a quick overview covering tricks Tony has taught me to identity mercury gilding versus electrolytic bath gilding of brass mounts. The topics will vary, this one being a bit more advanced, but will also include some furniture and decorative arts basics for both antiques and new designs we are working on. </div><div><br /></div><div>We know we need to work on the our production quality (!) and my "screen-presence" needs to be improved to say the least, but we hope you enjoy this and find it useful! </div><div><br /></div><div>Hope you are enjoying the last bits of summer.</div><div><br /></div><object style="background-image:url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/GtxCaUc51jE/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GtxCaUc51jE?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GtxCaUc51jE?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-9924108660969079942010-08-04T07:43:00.000-07:002010-08-04T08:59:31.533-07:00Learning from the design process<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRlYA9r_lFFslhf0ZieNyiXRd2SiWlaMu4xcIcaD-Mccel5UwHQ53nRTAjuQyDdeH8dUwnxOzLmoOkXEpVS7bG-DVVr7MGdlt_gND3F5db2ufVbRfBiXBNhgQyda-Ys0YLMySVukhqiM/s1600/R808+014.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 340px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501565552292858914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRlYA9r_lFFslhf0ZieNyiXRd2SiWlaMu4xcIcaD-Mccel5UwHQ53nRTAjuQyDdeH8dUwnxOzLmoOkXEpVS7bG-DVVr7MGdlt_gND3F5db2ufVbRfBiXBNhgQyda-Ys0YLMySVukhqiM/s400/R808+014.jpg" /></a> The development of this table has been a bit of an odyssey and a learning experience for me. Believe it or not, we starting working on this table in 2008!<br /><br /><br />There were some structural problems that we had to fix: primarily the "wobbliness" of the frame. Without cross supports or the right gauge material, this basic "Mallett" style of table is always a bit shaky. We solved this this by using heavier gauge brass both for the legs and the shelf-supports and the difference is remarkable.<br /><br /><br />That first, wobbly, prototype had wooden shelves too - that was the original look I had in my mind; something rustic yet contemporary, industrial but refined. But as we were improving the frame, a finisher friend of mine saw and fell in love with the idea of the table and offered to lacquer the shelves in a new technique that she was working on. I consider this friend to be an extremely talented and innovative finisher, so naturally we went ahead and lacquered the shelves instead of using a natural wood finish. This was the result:<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501571529049728098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixkAPt-VQG4TZGxEIASoRWnPSBJht-eZ89-51i8993WvnQ8PA0v0axkBCUzAGMDZu6KYGBlcLJatH-BC6NGNF414vX0ijRuy5jH4z6wzvwgJD0lmrjhyphenhypheniniiFF7VrASSpW7qDWVttXPM/s400/R808+12-8-09+stone.jpg" /><br /><br />And here is a close up of the lacquer:<br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 372px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501572077834736962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIe2UH6zl7K4-snbT6rCEyUNAg5B3K-8C-yN2p8dKs94SuyMyL9XmcdsfNETIljy8hHsMmgTlw2HIeNpRfuMMZvReZ8Kmwg6zM8wwiR82dDtgkKHbi-yfGtci71gTEKRAnSfz2LIHc2Y/s400/R808+12-8-09+022.jpg" /><br /><br /><div>I really love this lacquer. The pattern is hand applied using a metallic dust that sort of bleeds out into the white lacquer, creating a soft halo-effect or shadowing around the lines. And more importantly, I like how it makes the table look. It gives it a more modern feel. However, I must admit some degree of satisfaction now that we have the table as originally thought of with the wooden shelves. Perhaps that is just because it fits the expectations I had in my mind. But it taught me a lot about the design process. There is a hard balance to maintain between your own inspiration and external inspiration. Truly, whenever I go to my friends studio, I get inspired. And I am thrilled by this lacquer technique and using it. But, somehow I am just a bit more fulfilled by seeing the table as I originally envisioned. It may be a tired axiom, but you really must stick with your vision for a project. Of course outside inspiration is vital, but I believe you must somehow take that inspiration and adapt it to your vision instead adapting your vision to the inspiration.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoIOfgNTE0nKMp__9OkNbjZdsAXZERASMvevSCvT1V1IAKk9W8Al81fStSWobldWFOrdmjQX46tdjM9OduhKv31OMWPggFXOP8VBeSLE_LKwcC1lno6YDvQvdmis-3KIBZrJqpgxFeY0/s1600/R808+012.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 378px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501576310171866050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoIOfgNTE0nKMp__9OkNbjZdsAXZERASMvevSCvT1V1IAKk9W8Al81fStSWobldWFOrdmjQX46tdjM9OduhKv31OMWPggFXOP8VBeSLE_LKwcC1lno6YDvQvdmis-3KIBZrJqpgxFeY0/s400/R808+012.jpg" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUYY6YYcn8Da9zlKyfXeXy_06aiiC6mhyphenhyphenS7tOmuTzlNSXy0lvlOEN3gva3DhaLLkUYTdiLZWfJlXTzKPmVJ3JyTTm74Czxnm3dzSmVxkDLFbJvTq7E8G10JdxNCRlVPv9h43YP9cSIuI/s1600/R808+011.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 293px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501575527905578578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUYY6YYcn8Da9zlKyfXeXy_06aiiC6mhyphenhyphenS7tOmuTzlNSXy0lvlOEN3gva3DhaLLkUYTdiLZWfJlXTzKPmVJ3JyTTm74Czxnm3dzSmVxkDLFbJvTq7E8G10JdxNCRlVPv9h43YP9cSIuI/s400/R808+011.jpg" /></a><br /></div>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-50831580333365402372010-07-21T06:28:00.000-07:002010-07-21T06:36:13.643-07:00Price and Quality, this weekend in MassachusettsThis weekend I was in western Massachusetts, in an outlet store, and I stumbled across a perfect example of an issue I’ve been thinking about since I started working with my father: the trade-off between price and quality. It was a chair very similar to the one in this image.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveXwdlQUVucOJgbZYj5aBicZp40pX58dR4PWwDnBatTnR1dyyLR4Rs2TfaDUX3vMUk0nWpvfskY3iGYB_dGFYlx5XWRI9Ms39lbpxS_qlGH9SP2jb3gHoZAaqkYMr6t67Fth9zLNoQmw/s1600/R139+knockoff+variation.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496351680842601042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveXwdlQUVucOJgbZYj5aBicZp40pX58dR4PWwDnBatTnR1dyyLR4Rs2TfaDUX3vMUk0nWpvfskY3iGYB_dGFYlx5XWRI9Ms39lbpxS_qlGH9SP2jb3gHoZAaqkYMr6t67Fth9zLNoQmw/s400/R139+knockoff+variation.jpg" /></a><br /><br />It’s a knock-off variation of our Rope chair pictured here.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqICaJJi2oJWyeW_E9k7GB5w6jY_f1RSBu9RHhTCZwOLYiJmBWRrLZAC0pGL0Ju49as8EIuBTFV6CeK4e4exLFASqdUwSvyLosL3q-038UvBmFYZVCDFIewI078QyWDCzM6uBMDdjUFY/s1600/R139.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 380px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496351666915115282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqICaJJi2oJWyeW_E9k7GB5w6jY_f1RSBu9RHhTCZwOLYiJmBWRrLZAC0pGL0Ju49as8EIuBTFV6CeK4e4exLFASqdUwSvyLosL3q-038UvBmFYZVCDFIewI078QyWDCzM6uBMDdjUFY/s400/R139.JPG" /></a>Perhaps “knock-off” is the wrong word to use. It is clearly a bergere form, whereas the back of ours is open. Plus, the original chair was not our design anyway (I believe we are perhaps the only firm with patterns based on the 1870's Napoleon III original, however) and “knock-offs” are a part of this business anyway. What shocked me was the price. The bergere was selling for about $2,000 in the store. </div><div><br /> Suffice it to say, we could not carve, finish and upholster one of our chairs for even close to that cost! </div><div><br /> Now, there are some important differences that must be pointed out. Ours is a gilt finish. Ours has tufted upholstery. Ours has a stretcher. Our carving has greater detail. The proportions of our rope is consistent. The tassels of our arm-posts are free-standing from the posts. And so on... </div><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 208px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496351676682099122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMacmu1CXvlCW7Oa5go3CrxZNVDNbbxcoKAoAUoaFpu2e8mWkYLlJLcjNVJbULxRv_W99EV6E-6t5kccBYbbJZZFf7a3u3Q81EaXR6QdVUeA36_viEibBV0rM0s4QVrLBgEepfVfWv3CQ/s400/R139+300+dpi+side+detail.jpg" />But at some point you have to ask, does the client signing the check care? Would they rather have the more expensive, detailed example of fine craftsmanship, or would they prefer the inexpensive example that gives a similar idea of the original?</div><div><br />I believe that more and more, clients are opting for the later. </div><div><br />Certainly, the current recessionary times do not help, but it’s my opinion that the average client is more interested in the “idea” behind a piece and the look or feel of their home as a result. You could call them the “aspirational” client. The apsirational client may make the choice based on price, or simply because they are unware of the custom option, or the reasons behind the cost difference. But, for whatever reason, they decide to spend their money based on how they want their home to feel.</div><div><br />Now, there is still a client out there that does want the detail and does want the craftsmanship, and is willing to pay for it. But, similar to knowledgeable collectors becoming fewer and fewer, I think there are fewer and fewer of these clients around. From a personal perspective, when these clients place an order it is exciting from the production end, because these are usually jobs that push your boundaries a bit and require you to really engage your creative side. But if I am right and there are fewer of these types of clients, it means that high-end customized furniture and craftsmanship will continue to be relegated to its niche. And, without getting too Malthusian, we will continue to see a dwindling of the bespoke production trades in America. Small talented craftspeople and firms will need to find others ways to stay relevant.<br /></div><div>I pulled this post together quickly and did not take the time to find supporting hard metrics. Most of my opinions here are a result of my observations and then stumbling across this chair. So please tell me what you think, or if you feel differently. I would love to know. Just one clarification: I do not place a value judgment on these two diffferent client groups – one is not superior to the other. The 2 groups are themselves a gross over-simplification I used to illustrate what I think I see happening in our business. In fact, sometimes the same client can act both "aspirational" and more custom oriented. I simply want to note these observations to help us make more informed business decisions, and if I am lucky, some of our readers’ as well.<br /><br /></div><div></div>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-90235889183565743542010-07-16T10:20:00.000-07:002010-07-16T10:34:49.096-07:00Found in the Warehouse<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjDcBaSTbodoU4959GjbGVbKSeRLd03_Pm9rHV5tpgLI52xZ3oOgXaTz_fbex-ghJO84lRXlkqJ4MPKGU8p5OlXg0Dpve1A7E_UizsFEWZQHocg7rLS5ZzbaiRYIwv3BIFmJO8jGnoEk/s1600/jelly+mold+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494558670154930290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjDcBaSTbodoU4959GjbGVbKSeRLd03_Pm9rHV5tpgLI52xZ3oOgXaTz_fbex-ghJO84lRXlkqJ4MPKGU8p5OlXg0Dpve1A7E_UizsFEWZQHocg7rLS5ZzbaiRYIwv3BIFmJO8jGnoEk/s400/jelly+mold+3.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We recently "re-discovered" these candlesticks. My father calls them the "Jelly Mold" candlestick for reasons only he knows, but the name has stuck. We used to carry these at Chez Soi in Bridgehampton where they were a popular small gift item. You can see the old protoype in the background before we gave it the rustic, irregularly patinated finish. We might have to bring these back...</div>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-23958755090872985472010-07-15T11:01:00.000-07:002010-07-15T11:10:37.695-07:00Architect's Barstool<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hyphenhyphenfUHF36VOHdsQeh6b7FIPphCAO225O4LrWU-Ckfo3Vzok_wdDqkRkCi5tyafTleo9o6jmBF7VBKb8434xQNmtXKHAKCtKOMkeQQJWUFfM0oxw8j7FZ1pvTm3-yn-oyX16SoW2QA5i8/s1600/R562+Bridge+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 341px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494195004142330754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hyphenhyphenfUHF36VOHdsQeh6b7FIPphCAO225O4LrWU-Ckfo3Vzok_wdDqkRkCi5tyafTleo9o6jmBF7VBKb8434xQNmtXKHAKCtKOMkeQQJWUFfM0oxw8j7FZ1pvTm3-yn-oyX16SoW2QA5i8/s400/R562+Bridge+2.jpg" /></a> We just took these new pic's of our Architect's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Barstool</span> in a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bridgehampton</span> Kitchen and wanted to share them. The model was originally used as an architect's bench, hence the name. We used some of these at our kitchen counter at home when I was much younger! The model has always been a favorite of my family so we decided to include it in the "Essential <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">FPV</span>" collection. Hope you like the images!</div><div> </div><div> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494196641485218450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxAbucOmWtY4I_KogPWzbk4iz9jFVkquQVs9lK4KQaYVsr8jxSJDnec4D8twnFHhQGyxJ6Lbp1q3maSmKIgeROYfTRAFTmTgScZBd62h_eNjmGHmHJKPQbaAjC_qRLhbXT6d4v_DXGAE/s400/R562+Bridge+1.jpg" /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494196218538170370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnKuKunSR9SjRUDqZUVRl880NInIL2OK1zUEEO5LlgVfaYLj358PDxrLRzJp2MqsI2K9fi1Qh2lNZ9jpfyaj5lCpjbJpcfZZ-bcuduaQQV6fidOWxEh8qV5QxiGuldNdfqhcfp6m019A/s400/R562+A+new.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-18710346879593568412010-07-02T07:16:00.001-07:002010-07-02T07:17:37.102-07:00Found in the Warehouse<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJahyphenhyphenfkfmnIOouEtoyc8gxLvcZ0ZobBeXuA8aEtyODRBo9t-ht6eC1w0fo-R3-7msUZIq9GiuXbrG3AhunY7E1O3L-G_KDGX6U55ZrQVKaDja2R7IdxGd_Apia4fV4nXvZRI4VVCHbOnc/s1600/mounts+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489312641565081506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJahyphenhyphenfkfmnIOouEtoyc8gxLvcZ0ZobBeXuA8aEtyODRBo9t-ht6eC1w0fo-R3-7msUZIq9GiuXbrG3AhunY7E1O3L-G_KDGX6U55ZrQVKaDja2R7IdxGd_Apia4fV4nXvZRI4VVCHbOnc/s400/mounts+002.jpg" /></a><br /><div>These are some of my favorite items hiding in the warehouse. This is one of a pair of Louis XV 5-light candelabra gilt bronze mounts. Originally, they were used to display a porcelain figure or object in the center. I can't wait to use them for a special project!<br />Have a Happy 4th of July!</div>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-32771315475158702062010-06-25T06:47:00.001-07:002010-06-25T06:52:30.612-07:00Found in the WarehouseThis is one of several headboard models we have floating around the warehouse. Only, when I went to write this post, my father actually informed me that this was an 18th century original that we've had for ages! Not only that, but it's signed by its maker, Jean-Baptiste Lebas, which of course was not always the case. Never know what you'll find.... Have a great weekend!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fQP8brnOxsLXGEqYOkoN6311BWJHgpb_8y_tam9IK4p_zmsC5Wa42bU1CkFnlhPO5Y-Hh40P34nLTaFoR7CIpBoMncFlG2IZl3_hYRce6BM00QPAYqDGOVTpoPJRR2INTYLUPZnDaJA/s1600/bed+003.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygYyPkJjUT04Li6i0-jqrfulRMtFA2QbtU6Qj0zzoMwoJwW1oXb8_eNfzhQAVPE03O005h1vWjDyGenpzN9zzCy-h3b6LC85qO8VbC72nbbEXyRaznveuC0P5kzUOBfSiHflI5kDPwUU/s1600/bed+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 362px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486707748205077282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygYyPkJjUT04Li6i0-jqrfulRMtFA2QbtU6Qj0zzoMwoJwW1oXb8_eNfzhQAVPE03O005h1vWjDyGenpzN9zzCy-h3b6LC85qO8VbC72nbbEXyRaznveuC0P5kzUOBfSiHflI5kDPwUU/s400/bed+002.jpg" /></a> 18th Century Louis XVI Headboard by JB Lebas </div><div> </div><div> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486708113671561762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJJgvRUkbnWUC3XSfsAg7UV_OzOG4wpS20Ph04YCisgUpQkLPyVCcJqQnMKLCf4SuIKRkaLVtcS1I1bbLsf_gFvUB16EN0PRHEMGf9H1KQbb7xhuWGEwJvrFta5KzsL4OMUkSUrYMfcM/s400/bed+003.jpg" /> Molding detail of 18th Century headboard by Lebas </div>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-73801373151362125082010-06-23T10:14:00.001-07:002010-06-23T10:18:33.462-07:00My Wishlist for Architectural DigestYes, I'm joining the fray of debate surrounding what will happen next for Architectural Digest. I was prompted by a lively post on the blog <a href="http://thebluerememberedhills.blogspot.com/2010/06/god-knows-they-need-some-taste.html">The Blue Remembered Hills</a>. There are lots of rumors floating around ranging from who will take the helm all the way to AD going out of business. Any speculation on my part about who takes the lead there, would be just that - uphelpful speculation. But my secret hope is that AD will use this chance to substantially re-invent themselves. Two recent New York Times articles on <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/21/business/media/21elle.html?ref=style">Elle Decor </a>and <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/21/technology/21lonny.html?scp=1&sq=lonny&st=Search">Lonny </a>might provide some clues as to how to do that.<br /><br />You may have your own opinions on each of these publications, but both of these magazines are doing something right. Most importanly, both have embraced new media outlets. With a more developped infrastructure, Elle Decor has been able to strengthen their brand with reality TV and social media, while other publications have folded. Lonny also has a strong social media presence, and perhaps the most compelling format for a "publication" out there - and at a faction of the infrastructure and, I'm guessing here, a fraction of the cost.<br /><br />AD already has perhaps one of the best brand names to build on. It is occaisionally subject to some criticism regarding its content, but you always find top-end decorators' work there. The problem for some of the critics is perhaps that top-end does not always equal cutting edge. As someone in the trade, seeing these decorators' work is informative, and sometimes inspriational, but I would not consider it a trade resource.<br /><br />So, my wishlist for this re-invention of AD: That the next editor is able to somehow marry the best parts of a traditional publication and an online one, while building on AD's high end reputation by being more of a resource for high-end decorators and designers. I can just see a junior decorator somewhere reading AD on his/her iPad and bookmarking the links of the pieces she/he likes to a "look-book" folder. But I may be dreaming...<br /><br />It is safe to say that our industry is undergoing major changes, and in my opinion, those are usally associated with inflection points during which new paradigms are put in place. For our trade publications, in case the closure of House & Garden, Metropolitian Home and others wasn't a clear enough sign, they need to change as well. My fear is that the publishers of AD will make a safe pick with someone who hews too closely to their current formula. In my opinion, this will simply be putting off the inevitable folding of the magazine.Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928334416143544626.post-29288423738631559952010-06-22T06:26:00.000-07:002010-06-22T06:30:25.666-07:00Found in the Warehouse<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyXJc9H40oDBVGY8L2QQ7daiVJqf4AmynF9By-kyLNNw_DRTGE0ETEcJ6HJ-pjOvKuQJ5lWQNS9QoMcJbb3I3y2jV4AK48ahz5iOsIMbbiAyXQ8vd1KX-E2GWa_9-Q8cnQf6fRIK_8pM/s1600/glass+001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485589660449242994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyXJc9H40oDBVGY8L2QQ7daiVJqf4AmynF9By-kyLNNw_DRTGE0ETEcJ6HJ-pjOvKuQJ5lWQNS9QoMcJbb3I3y2jV4AK48ahz5iOsIMbbiAyXQ8vd1KX-E2GWa_9-Q8cnQf6fRIK_8pM/s400/glass+001.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><a href="http://www.fpvictoria.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/glass-001.jpg" mce_href="http://www.fpvictoria.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/glass-001.jpg"></a><br />Large blown glass<br />We aren't 100% sure what this large hand-blown piece of (very dirty) glass was used for, or how it got into our warehouse for that matter. But we have two. We think they were used somehow in an old pharmacy display. Fun shape either way. Maybe for a light fixture? Have a great weekend!</div>Freddy Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102347696556015334noreply@blogger.com4