Comments on: The economy, the industry and then some… http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/events/the-economy-the-industry-and-then-some/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-economy-the-industry-and-then-some Share his love of design, travel, photography and art with designer Vicente Wolf. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:17:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: the zhush http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/events/the-economy-the-industry-and-then-some/comment-page-1/#comment-3260 the zhush Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:00:50 +0000 http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/?p=1658#comment-3260 Ever the optimist (and capital pig at heart) I feel a slow change for the better coming...the hibernation ending, but with a more mature appreciation and out look for the future. Ever the optimist (and capital pig at heart) I feel a slow change for the better coming…the hibernation ending, but with a more mature appreciation and out look for the future.

]]> By: Janell Beals http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/events/the-economy-the-industry-and-then-some/comment-page-1/#comment-3249 Janell Beals Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:06:46 +0000 http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/?p=1658#comment-3249 I am amused by your description of the crowd at the Armory...any event where one can see a De Kooning is worth a visit, regardless of your company I'd say! Janell I am amused by your description of the crowd at the Armory…any event where one can see a De Kooning is worth a visit, regardless of your company I’d say! Janell

]]> By: Brillante http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/events/the-economy-the-industry-and-then-some/comment-page-1/#comment-3240 Brillante Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:03:36 +0000 http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/?p=1658#comment-3240 My sense is that life is always about changes and we should embrace them. Challenges make us smarter and possibly wiser. I also agree with Linda that wealthy clients' projects help the economy. Living between Canada and Italy I can see the same problems as US but also even more hope for tomorrow. My sense is that life is always about changes and we should embrace them. Challenges make us smarter and possibly wiser. I also agree with Linda that wealthy clients’ projects help the economy.
Living between Canada and Italy I can see the same problems as US but also even more hope for tomorrow.

]]> By: April Dilbeck, A Dilbeck Interiors http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/events/the-economy-the-industry-and-then-some/comment-page-1/#comment-3237 April Dilbeck, A Dilbeck Interiors Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:42:47 +0000 http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/?p=1658#comment-3237 Vicente, I am an antiques dealer and interior designer living and working Atlanta and greatly appreciate your candor. The following are some of the particular issues confronting the trade here. Atlanta is unique situation relative to the financial crises. It is a transient city where young people came to begin a career along with the upwardly-mobile executive looking be promoted to the B ig Apple. People are now ‘stuck in place”. Few new jobs and even less promotions. In addition, the greatly deflated housing market means that folks who built the hundreds of McMansions (and kept the trade flourishing) cannot sell the houses and contents for cost. This leaves a much smaller pool of potential buyers/client. They’re nervous and are asking smarter questions about pricing structure, value and longevity. In addition, they are better informed and far more discerning then ten years ago. As a dealer/designer, how can I assure them the value of a designer bergere will remain the same as that of a fine 18th century, especially when they share the same price points? What does one honestly answer when they tell me they can purchase a quality, made-in-America wing chair from Ethan Allen et al for one-third the price of a similar product by a name designer… which will probably be discontinued when the ‘new, latest’ design is introduced? Our jobs have changed and so have our customers. Give them what they want: good design, quality products and value for their hard-earned dollar. Despite the vicissitudes of the market, we can then all go to bed knowing we’ve done our best Vicente, I am an antiques dealer and interior designer living and working Atlanta and greatly appreciate your candor. The following are some of the particular issues confronting the trade here.
Atlanta is unique situation relative to the financial crises. It is a transient city where young people came to begin a career along with the upwardly-mobile executive looking be promoted to the B ig Apple. People are now ‘stuck in place”. Few new jobs and even less promotions. In addition, the greatly deflated housing market means that folks who built the hundreds of McMansions (and kept the trade flourishing) cannot sell the houses and contents for cost.
This leaves a much smaller pool of potential buyers/client. They’re nervous and are asking smarter questions about pricing structure, value and longevity. In addition, they are better informed and far more discerning then ten years ago. As a dealer/designer, how can I assure them the value of a designer bergere will remain the same as that of a fine 18th century, especially when they share the same price points? What does one honestly answer when they tell me they can purchase a quality, made-in-America wing chair from Ethan Allen et al for one-third the price of a similar product by a name designer… which will probably be discontinued when the ‘new, latest’ design is introduced?
Our jobs have changed and so have our customers. Give them what they want: good design, quality products and value for their hard-earned dollar. Despite the vicissitudes of the market, we can then all go to bed knowing we’ve done our best

]]> By: Linda Merrill http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/events/the-economy-the-industry-and-then-some/comment-page-1/#comment-3236 Linda Merrill Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:36:43 +0000 http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/?p=1658#comment-3236 Hi Vicente - I do feel a glimmer of improvement. And, whether it's capitalistic piggery or not, we need the well-to-do clients to sustain our businesses. Which in turn puts money in the pockets of a lot of middle and working class trades people. I think it's still tough out here for most of us, but we can't rely on the government to take care of us either - they are more interested in getting re-elected. Kips Bay is a great example of community involvement helping out. Or, we can all hold hands and stand in Times Square together. Now that would be a picture! Hi Vicente – I do feel a glimmer of improvement. And, whether it’s capitalistic piggery or not, we need the well-to-do clients to sustain our businesses. Which in turn puts money in the pockets of a lot of middle and working class trades people. I think it’s still tough out here for most of us, but we can’t rely on the government to take care of us either – they are more interested in getting re-elected. Kips Bay is a great example of community involvement helping out.

Or, we can all hold hands and stand in Times Square together. Now that would be a picture!

]]> By: Karena http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/events/the-economy-the-industry-and-then-some/comment-page-1/#comment-3233 Karena Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:57:15 +0000 http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/?p=1658#comment-3233 Vicente, I still say be true to your dream, be passionate, love what you do, buy original fine art!! Karena, Art by Karena Vicente, I still say be true to your dream, be passionate, love what you do, buy original fine art!!
Karena,
Art by Karena

]]> By: michelle http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/events/the-economy-the-industry-and-then-some/comment-page-1/#comment-3231 michelle Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:34:44 +0000 http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/?p=1658#comment-3231 Still standin; naked, but I do see a light. Still standin; naked, but I do see a light.

]]> By: Acanthus & Acorn http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/events/the-economy-the-industry-and-then-some/comment-page-1/#comment-3230 Acanthus & Acorn Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:47:22 +0000 http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/?p=1658#comment-3230 I am seeing glimmers of hope, but turnaround of the economic dismal state-no. I do not work with wealthy, but more the stable and a few well off. Even the smallest scale projects employ others, besides the designer. So, from my view I think that anytime someone can spend money, it reaches the table of so many others by putting them to work. I am seeing glimmers of hope, but turnaround of the economic dismal state-no. I do not work with wealthy, but more the stable and a few well off. Even the smallest scale projects employ others, besides the designer. So, from my view I think that anytime someone can spend money, it reaches the table of so many others by putting them to work.

]]> By: Victoria Zlotkowski http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/events/the-economy-the-industry-and-then-some/comment-page-1/#comment-3227 Victoria Zlotkowski Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:45:31 +0000 http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/?p=1658#comment-3227 I found my motto a little while ago: KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON! I guess it says it all. What ever might happen, we will work and do our best, adjust to reality and stay connected! Help each other and think positive. No guilt, we all have our place! ~Victoria I found my motto a little while ago:
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON!
I guess it says it all. What ever might happen, we will work and do our best, adjust to reality and stay connected! Help each other and think positive.
No guilt, we all have our place!
~Victoria

]]> By: Gary Nelling http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/events/the-economy-the-industry-and-then-some/comment-page-1/#comment-3225 Gary Nelling Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:37:28 +0000 http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/?p=1658#comment-3225 Ah Vincente, you are posing the big question. Indeed we now have a two-tiered, have/have-not economy. Our government did a brilliant job of saving the banks and restoring credit through TARP, now being paid back with interest, but can the government save itself, let alone us? The public wants all its benefits while someone else pays the taxes. So the government borrows and prints money to make up the difference, which causes inflation that hurts individuals and businesses, who economize by laying off workers, which shrinks the economy and tax revenues, then cycle begins again. Pogo said: “ We have met the enemy and he is us.” We need an informed and involved electorate pressing the government for both socially AND fiscally responsible choices, so the Tea Party folks, who vent their anger at individuals instead problems, don’t set the agenda. And we need again to “Ask not what your country can do for you…” I’ve seen economic hope around the world, though more through reading than walking the streets like you. BRIC and other emerging world countries are experiencing economic freedom and growth that will eventually help us all. But in the short run it has produced job loss here, which we should counteract with energy and technology innovations. Natural gas (with half the carbon emissions of oil), wind, solar and nuclear projects would produce millions of jobs. I don’t believe in Armageddon or other pre-ordained outcomes. God, if there is one, has a better sense of humor and has given us free will. You should not feel guilty working for wealthy clients, who have re-built some of their wealth and are spending again. That’s what artists do. Remember the story of Peter Paul Rubens (the only artist to have a folk group and a candy bar named after him) in “Master of Shadows”? His patrons were the royalty of Europe, but his diplomatic efforts helped achieve peace between Spain and his beloved Flanders. We aren't all like Rubens, but can do what we can through political and charitable acts. I am glad that we weren’t reduced to standing in Times Square naked with tin cups. Didn’t Rudy Giuliani outlaw that anyway? You would have received smiles and tips, and I would have received the tip to get back to the gym! - Gary Ah Vincente, you are posing the big question. Indeed we now have a two-tiered, have/have-not economy. Our government did a brilliant job of saving the banks and restoring credit through TARP, now being paid back with interest, but can the government save itself, let alone us? The public wants all its benefits while someone else pays the taxes. So the government borrows and prints money to make up the difference, which causes inflation that hurts individuals and businesses, who economize by laying off workers, which shrinks the economy and tax revenues, then cycle begins again. Pogo said: “ We have met the enemy and he is us.” We need an informed and involved electorate pressing the government for both socially AND fiscally responsible choices, so the Tea Party folks, who vent their anger at individuals instead problems, don’t set the agenda. And we need again to “Ask not what your country can do for you…”

I’ve seen economic hope around the world, though more through reading than walking the streets like you. BRIC and other emerging world countries are experiencing economic freedom and growth that will eventually help us all. But in the short run it has produced job loss here, which we should counteract with energy and technology innovations. Natural gas (with half the carbon emissions of oil), wind, solar and nuclear projects would produce millions of jobs. I don’t believe in Armageddon or other pre-ordained outcomes. God, if there is one, has a better sense of humor and has given us free will.

You should not feel guilty working for wealthy clients, who have re-built some of their wealth and are spending again. That’s what artists do. Remember the story of Peter Paul Rubens (the only artist to have a folk group and a candy bar named after him) in “Master of Shadows”? His patrons were the royalty of Europe, but his diplomatic efforts helped achieve peace between Spain and his beloved Flanders. We aren’t all like Rubens, but can do what we can through political and charitable acts.

I am glad that we weren’t reduced to standing in Times Square naked with tin cups. Didn’t Rudy Giuliani outlaw that anyway? You would have received smiles and tips, and I would have received the tip to get back to the gym! – Gary

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