Have you met @mrvincebravo?
How would you define the style of the merchandise you sell?
In a phrase: Last Century Modern. I sell a variety of styles: Art Deco, Arts and Crafts, Mid Century, and designer 70s & 80s. Each of these 20th century styles were considered “modern” in their day.
Geroge Nelson Herman Miller dressers and decorative arts available at Narrative, Oakland.
How would you describe your personal style?
We live in a 1950s ranch house with lots of windows. For the most part, the house is furnished in period furniture and accessories. The majority of the furniture we live with was produced by Herman Miller.
Period photo of our house from “House & Home” March 1958.
What draws you to Herman Miller furniture?
The furniture is well designed. For much of the 20th century (and still today), Herman Miller put designers in charge of design. People like Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Associates, and Alexander Girard created exceptional designs for the modern home. And, since we live in a house that was designed at that time, their highly functional furniture fits perfectly in the space.
Herman Miller Eames Chaise Lounge (ES106)
Alexander Girard is clearly a focus for your collecting. How has your collection evolved over time?
While I enjoy the designs of many designers of the mid century, Alexander Girard is one that I have been focused on for the last 10 years. Alexander Girard was the primary textile designer for Herman Miller from the 1950s through early 1970s. My collection started with a few Eames shell chairs with a Girard textile. It was around the time that the book Alexander Girard by Todd Oldham & Kiera Coffee was published. This enormous monograph covers decades of mind-blowing designs; I was hooked. After a decade of collecting, the collection now includes fabric samples, rolls of fabrics, graphic arts, original drawing, furniture, and much more. Since Alexander Girard is the focus of my collecting, I don’t really sell these acquisitions. So, this collection is constantly growing and expanding.
Vintage Alexander Girard fabric for Herman Miller.
Menu, napkin, taco holder for La Fonda del Sol Restaurant, New York, NY designed by Alexander Girard.
It looks like you have traveled to significant Alexander Girard locations. Tell us about some of your recent travels?
I do like to plan vacations around Alexander Girard. This past summer, while visiting Germany, we visited the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein to meet with their archivist and explore their archive. A couple of years ago, I organized a road trip through Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan to visit homes, museums, and archives connected to Girard. And, a favorite destination for Girard projects and research is Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Sunken living room in the Miller House, Columbus Indiana. House designed by Eero Saarinen and Alexander Girard | Gardens by Dan Kiley. Built for J. Irwin and Xenia Miller.
Exploring textile design drawing in archives at Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany. Photo by Alexander Wendl (TOAD Atelier).
Do you ever show your collection publicly?
My Girard collection is the main focus on my Instagram page and Threads @mrvincebravo. I also run a Facebook Group called “The Designs of Alexander Girard.” Over the years, I have had the opportunity to talk about and share my collection at events and museums.
In conversation about Collecting Alexander Girard at the Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe, MN.
Where can customers shop with you?
My Instagram and Threads are @mrvincebravo, and my website is vincebravo.com. I am in two brick and mortar collectives: Antiques Unlimited (1128 El Camino, San Carlos) and Narrative (590 2nd, Oakland).
What sort of items will you be bringing to the State Street Market?
The majority of what I’m bringing are fresh to the market items, items that have not been offered in my stores: Heman Miller Eames rocking chair, Herman Miller Eames round table with molded fiberglass chairs, a number of Dansk items, Marimekko textiles, art, lamps, California pottery, and lots more. If there is something people are looking for, reach out to me on my social media. I look forward to hearing from Kuzak regulars. And, I look forward to meeting new customers at the market.