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Antiques Road Trip

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As I mentioned recently, some friends and I took a road trip to Hudson, NY — a real life 1st Dibs! The town is a mix of the eclectic, the artistic and the historic.

One of cornerstones of this beautiful town is Stair Galleries and  Stair Restoration — the founder, Colin Stair, is the epitome of hospitality. And expertise.

Colin comes from a long line of Antiques Dealers and Restoration Experts – 4 generations to be exact. Colin’s great-grandfather founded the venerable Stair & Andrew (later Stair & Co.) in London, England in 1911.

In 1937, Colin’s grandfather moved to NYC and opened Stair & Co. on E. 57th Street. Before he sold the business and retired, he had opened a showroom in Palm Beach and added another division, Oxford Restoration.

Colin’s father, John, opened Sotheby’s office in L.A. and returned to NYC to create and run Sotheby’s Restoration. Colin trained in restoring antiques in England and then moved to New York to work alongside his father and brother at Sotheby’s.

After 15 years at Sotheby’s and becoming head of Sotheby’s Restoration, Colin bought the business from Sotheby’s and created Stair Restoration.

Stair Restoration restores furniture for some of the finest collectors, interior designers and decorators and their clients. The company is managed by Nigel Thomas, a graduate of the prestigious West Dean College in the U.K. He has supervised the conservation of some of the most important private collections in the country.

this iconic Andy Warhol was sold in a recent auction

At this same time he bought the Restoration business from Sothebys, Colin founded Stair Galleries, an auction house that handles some of the most intriguing estates in the country. Colin continues the distinguished reputation of the Stair Family: Gentlemen who conduct business with integrity and aplomb. Anyone who encounters Colin and his staff know they are in good hands.

Whether you’re an interior designer or just appreciate fine pieces — check out Colin’s current auction. It starts today @ 11am and you can view the gallery online.

You can get on their email list for future auctions…and participate from the comfort of your home. Or grab some friends and head to Hudson on a road trip.

I have a thing for Staffordshire dogs….what’s on your wish list?
xo, Elizabeth

images courtesy: Andrea Sullivan & Stair Galleries

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. My wish list – my new studio filled with art!
    I admire artisans that restore historical paintings and furniture. Looks like a wonderful spot.
    Thank-you for sharing.
    pve

  2. This trip just keeps getting better and better…and I keep getting more and more envious! I have heard of Stair before, but had no idea of the all of the history behind this family!

  3. Treasure hunting, clues and learning at every corner…I loved it when I was a kid and I love it now! How fun for you 🙂 I am totally wishing to score and old fashioned tape measure that is disguised as a ceramic statue!

  4. Pve -That new studio will be incredible! Yes, these gentleman are true artisans.

    Zhush – it was truly an educational experience. I still have more to post.

    Style Attic – I'll keep my eyes out for that tape measure!

    xo elizabeth

  6. Good Morning, Elizabeth!
    First, a big thank you
    for your always lovely
    comments for me on P&H,
    and most especially the
    current post about my
    friend Kathleen's journey
    with breast cancer. Your
    words meant more than you
    could know, to both of us.
    Now, YOUR post! Divine!
    This is exactly my taste
    and I am going to check
    out their gallery page.
    I love auctions : ) I
    received my first pair of
    Staffordshire dogs from
    my mom a couple of years
    ago ~ aren't they wonderful?
    I love the painting with
    the cows and also that
    old library card catalog.
    Well, everything is pretty
    wonderful! Thank you for
    the great introduction and
    thanks for being YOU.
    xx Suzanne

  7. I have so enjoyed your trips to Hudson. Now that I live in California I don't get to Hudson NY very often so your posts have been wonderful to see. Thank you so much for taking us along with you.

  8. I had a friend that was a paper conservator in England. I couldn't get enough of watching her in her studio. The courage required to drop Renoir sketches into distilled water baths stopped my heart!! One time we were summoned to Christie"s and she thought I would be bored, as I thrilled to her orders to the staff in the basement: "Take off the frame…yes the edges are just as I thought..quite nice." Then we went upstairs and looked at a Rosetti that she had advised upon, Andrew Lloyd Webber was lapping up every word she said. Right, I was bored!!

  11. "That’s Too nice, when it comes in india desire it could possibly produce a Rocking spot for teen.!!! wish that can come accurate."

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