Witherells: Sacramento Father-Son Antiques Dealers & PBS Experts
http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/93/1/Witherells-Sacramento-Father-Son-Antiques-Dealers-amp-PBS-Experts/Page1.html
By James Raia
Published on 10/19/2007
Brian Witherell and his father own a private arts and antique company that operates out of a home office and a unique building located at 300 20th Street in Sacramento. Constructed of cider block, glass and steel, the modernist building is the loft for the younger Witherell and his partner Lori Pera, a flight attendant for American Airlines.
But the facility is also the showroom for Witherells.com, a web site that features the two proprietors and their passion for antiquities, particularly of the American West.
Brian Witherell and his father own a private arts and antique company that operates out of a home office and a unique building located at 300 20th Street in Sacramento. Constructed of cider block, glass and steel, the modernist building is the loft for the younger Witherell and his partner Lori Pera, a flight attendant for American Airlines.But the facility is also the showroom for Witherells.com, a web site that features the two proprietors and their passion for antiquities, particularly of the American West.
(This article was originally published in February, 2002 and amended on Oct. 18, 2007.)
Brian Witherell and his father own a private arts and antique company that operates out of a home office and a unique building located at 300 20th Street in Sacramento.
Constructed of cider block, glass and steel, the modernist building is the loft for the younger Witherell and his partner Lori Pera, a flight attendant for American Airlines.
But the facility is also the showroom for Witherells.com, a web site that features the two proprietors and their passion for antiquities, particularly of the American West.
"We're both still together, but he works out of his house," Brian Witherell explained work relationship with his father, Brad. "He manages just a couple of clients and the rest of the business I take care of."
The company also serves as an agency for private antique enthusiasts who build their collections via the company's purchases at famous auction houses like Sotherby's and Christie's. The father-son duo are also experts on the PBS television program, The Antiques Road Show.
"We also work as brokers on a commission basis," said Brian Witherell, 35. "We guarantee everything we sell, so the customer pays us to 'bless' the item or to establish its ranking in its field or to authenticate it."
For the past six years, the father/son duo has served as experts on the PBS television program, "The Antiques Road Show."
"Initially, it was very uncomfortable for me," Witherell said. "But as time has gone on, I've become more at ease with it. I think we are among only three people (experts) west of the Mississippi who participate. There's a gentleman in Los Angeles who does clocks and us, and that's it."
Witherell's unusual home/business was designed by Jerry Faszer, a Roseville architect. Two years ago, Faszer designed the home of Wetherell's father.
"I was looking for something along the commercial lines for private clients and not just a residence," Brian Witherell explained. "And I wanted something with a cutting edge to it as an understated place to display fine art."
When the younger Witherell contacted Faszer after he noticed the 20th Street location, which rests in a midtown neighborhood of homes, apartments and industrial businesses, he discovered the architect wanted to sell the building.
"He decided to sell and I decided to buy, so it was serendipitous in that sense," said Witherell, who assumed ownership last June. "I wanted to make it a live/work space, and I wasn't sure the building would work, but as it turned out, it did. So it's given my girlfriend and I a unique living space and a place to work out of. I certainly don't regret it. It's the best move I've ever made."
As Witherell describes, his 1,650 square-foot business and home is divided into three equal sections of showroom, living space and an in-progress office.
"I'm not an architectural scholar by any means," he said. "But it seems to me that this is unique. It doesn't take its theme from any other movement, although it's certainly a modernist building."
Brad Witherell entered the antique business in 1969 as a gun dealer. He expanded into furniture lines and then auctions when Brian was age 16. The father and son duo often traveled together and as the younger Witherell grew up, he became more involved and eventually entered the business full-time.
Brian Witherell and his father own a private arts and antique company that operates out of a home office and a unique building located at 300 20th Street in Sacramento.
Constructed of cider block, glass and steel, the modernist building is the loft for the younger Witherell and his partner Lori Pera, a flight attendant for American Airlines.
But the facility is also the showroom for Witherells.com, a web site that features the two proprietors and their passion for antiquities, particularly of the American West.
"We're both still together, but he works out of his house," Brian Witherell explained work relationship with his father, Brad. "He manages just a couple of clients and the rest of the business I take care of."The company also serves as an agency for private antique enthusiasts who build their collections via the company's purchases at famous auction houses like Sotherby's and Christie's. The father-son duo are also experts on the PBS television program, The Antiques Road Show.
"We also work as brokers on a commission basis," said Brian Witherell, 35. "We guarantee everything we sell, so the customer pays us to 'bless' the item or to establish its ranking in its field or to authenticate it."
For the past six years, the father/son duo has served as experts on the PBS television program, "The Antiques Road Show."
"Initially, it was very uncomfortable for me," Witherell said. "But as time has gone on, I've become more at ease with it. I think we are among only three people (experts) west of the Mississippi who participate. There's a gentleman in Los Angeles who does clocks and us, and that's it."
Witherell's unusual home/business was designed by Jerry Faszer, a Roseville architect. Two years ago, Faszer designed the home of Wetherell's father.
"I was looking for something along the commercial lines for private clients and not just a residence," Brian Witherell explained. "And I wanted something with a cutting edge to it as an understated place to display fine art."
When the younger Witherell contacted Faszer after he noticed the 20th Street location, which rests in a midtown neighborhood of homes, apartments and industrial businesses, he discovered the architect wanted to sell the building.
"He decided to sell and I decided to buy, so it was serendipitous in that sense," said Witherell, who assumed ownership last June. "I wanted to make it a live/work space, and I wasn't sure the building would work, but as it turned out, it did. So it's given my girlfriend and I a unique living space and a place to work out of. I certainly don't regret it. It's the best move I've ever made."
As Witherell describes, his 1,650 square-foot business and home is divided into three equal sections of showroom, living space and an in-progress office.
"I'm not an architectural scholar by any means," he said. "But it seems to me that this is unique. It doesn't take its theme from any other movement, although it's certainly a modernist building."
Brad Witherell entered the antique business in 1969 as a gun dealer. He expanded into furniture lines and then auctions when Brian was age 16. The father and son duo often traveled together and as the younger Witherell grew up, he became more involved and eventually entered the business full-time.