mark sage - love train antiques

One of my favorite parts of owning a store is shopping for unique and beautiful merchandise. I used to think that the only way to find these treasures was to search flea markets and antique stores, until I found companies like Bobo Intriguing Objects. Owners Mark Sage and Rudi Nijssen have an incredible ability to turn old materials into fascinating new furniture, lighting and accessories. I had always wondered about the story behind this one of a kind company, so you can only imagine my excitement when I bumped into Mark Sage during my trip to Atlanta. 

Our meeting  really was unexpected. My friend Angela, Steve and I were leaving Scott's Antique Market when Steve noticed a cool looking antique store, called Love Train at the bottom of the hill. Even though we were exhausted, we knew that we would regret not stopping in.

Angela noticed that one of the items had a Bobo price tag on it. We soon found out that Love Train and Bobo are both owned by Mark Sage, who was actually the man who was helping us in the shop! Well, I couldn't have been more excited if I were being introduced to Brad Pitt or Gerard Butler. I wanted to ask him so many questions, but I was way too nervous. Fortunately, Angela said, "Brooke, you should interview Mark for your blog". To my surprise, Mark said that he would be happy to talk with me.

So,  here we go.....

V&L:

So, how did you get started importing antiques?

Mark Sage:

I was the director of operations and the vice president in charge of international for a chain of hair salons that included Super Cuts, Cost Cutters, and City Looks. I would place these salons in cities in Europe. While I was in these cities I loved going to flea markets and antique stores. Everyone always wanted to buy the things I found. Meanwhile, the corporation I was working for decided that they didn't want an international division, so they gave me a golden parachute and an apartment in Paris for a year. 

I started buying and storing these antiques. Once I had enough for a container I shipped them to Atlanta. I started contacting antique dealers, and by the fourth container I was making a profit. We now import 40 containers a year.

V&L: 

What types of items did you start importing?

Mark Sage:

When I first started, my bread and butter were three things:  pairs of leather club chairs from France and Belgium, French dress mannequins from the 1910's-1920's, and old primitive French farm tables.  Now I hardly buy those things because the prices have become crazy. Ralph Lauren went into France and bought every great leather club chair. 

V&L:

You have a really unique eye. What triggers you to buy something now?

Mark Sage:

I always think that a bad question is "What trends do I see coming?" If a designer tells you what trends they see coming, it's already finished. 

I don't buy for trends. I always buy based on the premise that you buy what you love personally. If you come into "Love Train" there is a point of view there. You can tell there is one person, one eye that is buying everything. You buy what appeals to you personally and just hope it sells.

Mark Sage:

If you look through "Love Train", I don't buy any period pieces. I don't buy "Queen Anne" or "Chippendale". I buy things that are more "commercial antiques". I buy things from old bakeries, old churches, old pharmacies, old bistros. Things from stone quarries. Anything that had a commercial application or is just a little quirky or pleasing to the eye. That's what I buy. 

Mark Sage:

If it has good color, good patina, good lines, or if it is something I'd like to have in my own home, that's what I buy. I don't buy what the designers are clambering for right now, because if you do that you get yourself into trouble real quickly.

V&L: I did notice that you had a lot of industrial or commercial pieces, but you also had several Swedish pieces.

Mark Sage:

Swedish pieces are just something that appeal to me. I like the color. They have a warmth to them, especially the Gustavian pieces in the original paint. I think it's fantastic. furniture to design with. A lot of people are doing second houses on the water or houses in the mountains, and they want these houses to be less formal than their main houses. It is the Swedish Gustavian pieces that work in those homes.

If you have something dark and English, and you put an old primitive work table from a factory next to it, they just don't work well together. You can mix any of the industrial commercial pieces with Swedish, and it all seems to work.

After Mark and I discussed Love Train our conversation turned to Bobo Intriguing Objects , his new showroom (you are going to love it as much as I do!), and his exciting new project. I'll post that part of the interview in the next couple of days.

Don't forget to sign up for my e-mail feed so you don't miss out!

xo

Brooke

Comments

[Trouvais]

Hi Brooke...thanks for the interview! I remember his long tapestry table from a great 18th century styled Domino shoot. Looking forward to part 2.

[susan]

When our daughter (an architect) lived in Atlanta my husband and I would plan to visit her around the Scott's Antique Market shows when Love Train was also open. We have bought some wonderful things from Mark and he was always there when we were. He is a great guy!! I have even emailed him and he has called me back.

Now that daughter is in Dallas we don't go that way anymore but I sure miss Love Train and Scott's.

[artfulife]

So awesome! I'm book marking this in my inspiration file. So many lovely home ideas to use someday. What a treat to meet such a talented person.

[The Blushing Hostess]

What a great spot, urns on the curn will always get me to veer off the road!

[petra voegtle]

Hi Brooke, I think the most interesting sentences in this interview were "I don't buy for trends. I always buy based on the premise that you buy what you love personally."
These apply for anything, especially for art and all other creative products. And to be honest - doesn't it apply to any task we do? We deliver the best possible results when we love what we do - no matter what that might be! No commitment is possible when you don't stand fully behind an idea, a project or whatever you do.
Greetings, Petra

[michelle]

I've got some great ideas from this post Brooke! Thanks! You must have been in Heaven at Scott's :)

Best,
Michelle

[Angela in WA]

Brooke,

Going to Love Train with ya'll was so much fun, and meeting Mark was such a treat. He seemed like such a down to earth kind of a guy, and the guys who worked down there were a hoot! Great to read about the story that lead him to his success. Can't wait to hear what all he revealed to you in his interview! Looking forward to part 2.

~angela

[Cheri Peoplesc]

LOVE IT ALL. What an honor to get to meet him. --I would be honored if you stopped by my blog.

Cheri
www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com

[Brillante]

Who needs Brad Pitt anyway!? when you meet a smart man and so many extraordinary pieces.I have friends in Vancouver who buy French Country Antiques and I have posted on them in April. I always say to them that it must be a dream to travel and discover so many beautiful things.

[Cristin]

Great interview Brooke! I enjoyed knowing he doesn't by for trends. I think that is a great approach.

xo,
cristin
www.simplifiedbee.blogspot.com

[Renae Moore]

Brooke, I really enjoyed that interview! Now I MUST go take a look! Fun, Fun!
xo
Renae

[bethany]

Great interview! I saw the BoBo booth at the Round Top antiques show in Texas and it was one of my favorite discoveries of the trip! One of the best dealers by far. It was fun to meet the owner through your blog.

[Things That Inspire]

Wow - I have never been to Love Train! I am going to Scott's next month, and will stop by and give you a report. Thank you so much for introducing me to this wonderful resource - in my own city!

I love his philosophy - buy what you love. As much as I adore the design blogs, I think it has given me a heightened awareness of what is 'in' and 'trendy'. Normally I do not go for what is in and trendy - I decorate in the colors that I love (always pale greens and blues) - even if they are hard to find sometimes because they are not 'in'. But for something like a mora clock - I don't think I would have even thought about buying one had I not seen them again and again on the blogs. Is there such a thing as a 'trendy antique'?

[Devon]

Thank you for this wonderful post! These guys are among my all-time favorites and it's great to hear so much more about them.

I'm loving hearing about your travels!!

[for the love of a house]

Hi Brooke! This was such a fun read for Dan & I as you desribed it perfectly.... you're exhausted coming out of Scott's, but you just can't pass up the shop at the bottom of the hill and then you walk in and you're inspired and excited all over again! It's been a couple of years since we've seen Mark and Love Train (used to have a Love Train tshirt he sold that said "Cool stuff from dead Europeans"!!) and good to see all his amazing things again. I have no less than six large yogurt/olive jars that we purchased from him (meant to sell some of them, but then got 'attached' and kept them!)
He was always so kind and helpful and just fun to talk to. Really enjoyed this conversation!
joan

[Fifi Flowers]

What a FAB place... lots of YUMMY decor items!!!

[Maria Killam]

Very interesting that he doesn't try to buy what designers are asking for, by the time he got it in, we would be asking for something else!

Great post, such a stunning photo of you as well!
xo
Maria

[Tricia - Avolli]

Great interview, very interesting person with great business sense. Love the pictures from his shop.

Tricia - Avolli

[pam robinson]

hi brooke... what a wonderful experience and great interview... i met mark years ago and had to circle love train 20 times before i could take it all in...still one of my favorite haunts and cannot wait to return... mark is a true genius..i love his philosophy and it is mine also... "buy what you love". have a great week... pam

[Alice]

It's so interesting to see into the mind of shop owners... I love Bobo's pieces from what I've seen online so this was as much a treat to read as it was for you to meet him in person!

[Katrina Lynn]

Hi there! Just found you blog this morning! LOVING these posts about Mark Sage and his antique business! Talk about a dream job!! Wish I lived closer so I could visit Love Train. I also think Bobo is a great find! Thanks so much for these!!

[DesignTies]

I think we should all use Mark's approach to decorating our homes -- buy what we love and not necessarily what's trendy.

The little wood pig is so cute :-) And the gears and clock faces are really cool.

Great interview, Brooke :-) I read Part II first, but it's not like the ending got ruined or anything ;-) Thanks so much for introducing us to Mark and his wonderful shops, furniture, and accessories :-)

Kelly

[thoraldtun]

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[colleen hickey]

Score on this interview! It's so good to see someone who buys what they love (like me) and not for trends. I'm definitely going to try on stop by love train on my way home to california from the round top show.

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