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Eric Petsinger believes in a perfect blend for allSunday, November 14, 2010   STYLEMAKER SPOTLIGHT: ERIC PETSINGER Whether he's assisting an interior designer or antiques enthusiast, dealer Eric Petsinger's goal is to provide "inventory with a 'something for everyone' approach," he said. Since opening in 2003, his showroom, Epoca ( www.epocasf.com), has become a fixture at the Los Angeles Antiques Show as well as the San Francisco Fall Antiques Show. "The collection is quite eclectic with offerings ranging as far back as the 17th century extending through the styles of the 1950s and beyond," he said. "This is how people are living these days, blending antiques with modern furnishings." Locally, Petsinger enjoys sourcing merchandise in Petaluma; Sienna Antiques and Chelsea Antiques are on his must-visit list. With a job that calls for frequent travel, he can also rattle off recommendations all over the world. While he scours cities such as New York, London and Paris, "exploring the outlying countryside is the place I get recharged," he said. His favorite antique fair is just outside of Paris in Chatou, France. "Where else can you walk around a dusty field all morning, then stop for lunch at the on-site food stand to gobble down a dozen (or two) oysters, select your canard to be perfectly grilled, and wash it all down with a mind-blowing bottle of French wine - all in a field, sitting at a card table!" The Petsinger cheat sheetRecommended reading: "Just beginning to collect antiques? One of the first books to add to your library is 'Encyclopedia of Furniture' by Joseph Aronson. It is truly an excellent primer for the furniture collector, full of terrific photographs and illustrations. I keep mine handy." Mix it up: "Remember, there are no rules in design. Want a cookie-cutter look? There are plenty of catalogs for that. How boring! Go ahead and hang that Louis XVI bronze chandelier over a sleek 1960s walnut-and-chrome dining table. I did and they bring out each other's unique beauty." Travel tips: "Visiting a new city? Do your homework and research the shops. The Internet has made this step a lot easier. I've found the shops with some sort of website presence to be the places to focus on first, but that's not always the case. You never know where that Venetian Seguso lamp is waiting for you. And don't forget your GPS!" Get your fix: "Too often, people think, 'I can't buy that antique chair! The fabric is torn and the leg is broken!' Forget that philosophy. Just say yes! We are very fortunate to have such remarkable craftsmen here in San Francisco. They can fix almost anything, so don't let that special piece pass you by just because it's seen better days. I can't tell you how much joy there is in breathing life back into that special object that deserves a second chance." On restoring furniture: "Establish a good relationship with your restorer. What does this mean? Communicate and communicate often. Maintain regular visits to ensure there are no surprises when you turn up only to find out that your table had been banished to the far reaches of Siberia since your last visit six months ago, or the finish you wanted is four shades too dark." E-mail comments to home@sfchronicle.com. This article appeared on page M - 8 of the San Francisco Chronicle |
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