James Andrew at Balsamo Antiques – photo Gabriel Everett
As an interior designer, I’m always seeking out the most unique and unusual things for my clients. I do feel that decoration has become rather homogenized – many of the same pieces are simply getting used and re-used in the design world, and so I make an extra effort to procure one-of-a-kind items to help create truly spectacular interiors for my clients.
One of my best resources in this endeavor has been Balsamo Antiques. Balsamo is the love child of Ray Attanasio and Steve Abeles. Both cut their teeth as merchandisers and designers for the likes of J. Crew, Abercrombie and Fitch, and Bloomingdales, but left the corporate grind to pursue their personal dreams – and thank goodness they did! They now bring with them all of the expertise that their former careers required of them, applying that solid base of experience to their own (and far from the ordinary) collection of unique and eclectic objects – bold and beautiful one-of-a-kind as well as re-imagined pieces. I’m particularly crazy about the gilded Indian bell light fixture pictured above me (top). Could make a really perfect statement in a monumental project I’m working on now in Florida.
An industrial steel dining table at Balsamo Antiques
A pair of unusual 19th c. Italian Console tables at Balsamo Antiques
Make a point to peruse their website or if you are in the New York area, visit them at their spectacular showroom at 306 East 61st Street on the 7th floor or in their Upstate shop at 3007 Church Street Pine Plains, NY.
I’m photographed Balsamo Antiques dressed in a Tom Ford “Wetherby” suit in ocean blue wool silk linen melange, midnight cotton dotted herringbone print shirt, Pierre Hardy cobalt suede demi boots, Charvet pale blue and royal retro print silk pocket square, Rolex watch, and my fragrance is Creed Royal Water.