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.
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xo
Brooke
