Fabulous backyard in Hancock Park, Los Angeles

When I decided to make the leap from museum professional to antiques and fine art dealer I never imagined the doors it would open... Literally. I've become privy to some absolutely incredible properties over the last few months. From Malibu to Beverly Hills, to Bel Air and Hancock Park, it feels there are a seemingly endless number of mansions teeming with treasures! Whereas I thought I'd be rummaging through refuse at thrift stores for my merchandise, an average day includes far more oceanside patios than I'd ever entertained. Now don't get me wrong, there's plenty of the former but after all, this is LA and we do ostentatious wealth and wildest dreams better than just about anywhere! I've included a few remarkable "backyards" as accompanying images. I regret not taking pictures of the exterior architecture of these palatial properties, but sometimes it's the pool or sweeping views that say it all!

Bel Air mansion overlooking the city of Los Angeles. Note the net over the pool and yellow tape on the statuary. Seems happier days were once known.

Estate Sales are interesting entities. I've noticed that people tend to host them for the following reasons: Death, Divorce, Bankrupcy, Downsizing, and Moving. Sometimes it can feel a bit voyeuristic, even impolite to be wandering around someone's home, picking through their housewares and personal effects for something re-saleable. At the same time, I've met a number of fascinating people eager to share their homes' contents. Take, for example the Finnish photographer I met at his Hollywood Hills residence a few weeks ago. He had recently moved out of his Fifth Avenue, Manhattan apartment and had the entirity of its contents shipped to LA to be sold. This gentleman spent several hours pouring over his vast accumulation with me, and I found that many of the pieces prompted fascinating stories from his long life of travel and art acquisition. For him, it seemed the act of selling his collection was a chance not only to relive his experiences of owning each object, but also an opportunity to enjoy them in one final way, as their steward and storyteller. It was a delightful afternoon and I left with a wealth of new knowedge, a car full of incredible objects, and the absolute best stories!