Perhaps some of you know our next door neighbor Kathleen Taylor- The Lotus Collection, one of the best resources for period textiles in our experience. In a larger discussion I had with Kathleen on a matter not germane to this blog, she had indicated that she and I were perhaps too fussy, and that our attempts to micromanage others found to be tiresome and that our own good selves were tired, too. ‘Fussy’ and ‘micromanage’ are universally agreed to be pejorative terms, and behaviors best, for all our sakes to be avoided, yes?
In a word, ‘no.’ The fact of the matter is, in the world of antiques and the fine and decorative arts generally, that we are fussy translates into exquisite attention to detail about the material we sell. Certainly in Kathleen’s case, the fabrics she offers are of the finest quality, all of them in stunning condition. Does this just happen? Of course not. As well as selecting the finest quality fabrics, Kathleen meticulously supervises their cleaning and restoration, making certain that, either as cushions, wall hanging, or furniture covering, her fabrics, as well as beautiful, are fully serviceable. Given how minutely wrought is, for example, an 18th century Spitalfields silk, this is unbelievably taxing work, and requires the ultimate in micromanagment to accomplish.
And, of course, that is why our customers trade with us, whether it is for fabrics, English antiques, or artwork, it is this attention to detail that might otherwise be characterized as fussiness that keeps us in business.