Luxe Living on Vivid Magazine - International Chinese Luxury and Style

LUXE LIVING

Staying Power

Spring 2010
Staying Power
By Anna Sueng
Photographs Courtesy of Christie’s Auction House

Trends often come and go. When a trend becomes the standard, it has staying power. One of the longest trends in interior design is the investment in antiques. The appeal has been riding waves but for many, a priceless possession is one to cherish for its historical and monetary benefits.

"Antiques are and will always be the keepers of time throughout history,a s they represent people, their culture and history," explains T. Cordell Louis, CEO and Lead Designer of Design Theory Inc. in Los Angeles. Many collectors began with family heirlooms that have been passed down from generation to generation. Some may even scour shops and estates for the latest find. Tina Zonars, the International Director of Chinese Works of Art for Christie's Auction House in New York City, provided some guidelines when seeking out some choice assets.

Where to Start

When scouring for quality, Zonars stresses the importance of "doing your research, experience and good advisors. Buy from a reputable source or an auction house." A reputable source would include a dealer specializing in antiques and are often members of national trade associations. There are five criteria you need to follow in order to differentiate an antique from a collectible: beauty, rarity, quality, and provenance (where it's from). Finally, "you also need to put work into investing. Read the relevant publication."

Bids

Many people may have a preconceived notion that you need to be invited to attend an auction but at many places such as Christie's, the displays are open to the public on a daily basis. It's a great opportunity for experienced and potential buyers to see a wide variety of pieces before they're gone, ask questions and learn a great deal. You can also look for a particular location, register and bid for the artifact of your choice. Lot numbers categorizes the piece or the set of pieces.

When entering an auction, you will be given paddles with a particular number. This will help the auctioneers keep track of who’s bidding as well as be able to distinguish a buyer from a random gesture. Once your lot is presented, you can place a bid. To place a bid, or to propose a payment, can occur in several ways. "You can bid (in person), bid by phone, fax in a written bid, (or) bid on the Internet," says Zonars. Christie's Auction House is the only of its kind that allows you to place an offer online. The person with the highest proposed amount wins the piece(s) (otherwise known as the lot). Your purchase can be shipped at your convenience.

Designing Space

"If I were to isolate and identify the looks of today's interiors in a nutshell, I would sum it up with one word: 'eclectic'," observes Louis. Almost anything goes but remember: less is more. Make sure those pieces are the focal points and conversation starters of the room. When working with antiques in a clean and modern space, Louis suggests, "you can have a monochromatic minimalistic room and easily incorporate some antique pieces that are visually heavy and structurally ornate"; otherwise known as, "room accessory".

If you’re looking for some guidelines on what to look for, Louis notices “pieces with some size to them are currently in style like buffets and dining tables. Some are even incorporating them into the architecture . . . for example – antique doors or coffered ceilings.”

Incorporating precious antiques breaths new life into the home but make sure to follow a carefully edited approach. Finally, whether it’s a Monet or an artifact from the Bronze era, make sure the reason for investing is primarily because you enjoy and appreciate having these works of art.