Genius Jacobs Built-Ins

Recently, I went to California to visit my college roommates and very close friends Matt Jacobsen and Liz Glotzer. They moved to LA right after graduating from Bennington College (there is no way I’m coughing up the year), she went to grad school for film, and he followed with an interest in the history of costumes. Today they are married with two amazing boys and live just east of West Hollywood in the hills. (I hope I got that right–I only asked a million times.)

Jacobsen is the son of renowned architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen and is the proprietor of oldmagazinearticles.com. Glotzer is now a well-known Hollywood executive. She is the daughter of antique dealer Elayne Glotzer, owner of Double Vision in Venice Beach–a charming shop showcasing one of a kind objects and jewelry–and her brother Michael Glotzer is an LA picker with a warehouse full of mid-century furniture.

Together,  my friends designed and decorated their new home with passion and flair. My favorite spot is sitting in front of the Hugh Newell Jacobsen bookcase. Its elegant visual presence draws you into the room. The display is massive, but because the books are shelved in small cubes, boasting strong but minimalist form and color, it invites the viewer to come look, survey the collection, and pick out a book.

These signature built-in bookcases are inspired by wooden antique egg-crates and are designed from floor to ceiling. Perfectly symmetrical, the outer frame, slotted horizontal shelves, and vertical supports are almost paper thin.

A self-proclaimed bibliophile with interests ranging from France, WWI, and England to Art and Architecture, Jacobsen’s need to continually expand his library was, perhaps, the mother of invention when he created his signature “egg crate” bookshelves. Employed in many of his house designs, the innovative shelving is designed like a truss and comprised of 3/8-inch-wall cubes that will allow books to be removed and reinserted in the same or different locations. By removing one cube from the “French” section of the library, for example, one could relocate books about French cuisine to the culinary section of the library and make room for new titles about WWI. This saves completely reorganizing a large collection of books—a task that would be necessary with traditional shelving. The shelving grid also provides a sense of order, while the books themselves create a beautiful, natural wall of color. *

What can I say… Genius!

The Real American Picker

He won’t reveal what he has in the van in this photo, or where he got it, but picker Gary Dias always has the goods.


It was twelve years ago when I first heard about Gary Dias (pronounced DYE-ESS). He was in my store, which was then on Jane Street, inquiring about the best price on a set of three lamps. (Of course, I didn’t know what they were, but they surelooked nice!)

My assistant at the time, George Marshal, said, “Gary Dias was here asking about these lamps.”

“Who’s he?” I asked.

“You don’t know who Gary Dias is?”

I said, “No.”

“He’s one of the best pickers in the business!”

Dias eventually bought the lamps, drove down to Soho and sold them to another dealer within minutes.

Dias now says he would often spend the day buying something from one dealer and driving it across town to sell it to another. But that was in the ’90s when the economy was better and the demand was much higher. Those days are long gone. Today Dias still travels, but often out of state, to find his merch. He is still very connected to most of the downtown modern dealers, as well as a few in Hudson, New York. He works the old fashioned way–always on the road communicating by phone. He never texts or sends pictures. He is only hands-on, bringing the goods straight to your door. 

My most recent (and also favorite) purchase from Dias was a Hans Bellmann popsicle table along with a somewhat rare Robsjohn-Giddings floor lamp, which I rewired and polished. It’s gorgeous! The lamp is available–and reasonably priced–here at my website. Of course, I have no idea where Dias found these great pieces. The picker never shares his secrets.


If you want the sweet deals, contact Gary Dias at gdias@nyc.rr.com.