The theater runs through Newel; we started as a service to Broadway, and it runs through our veins. For us, it is about “The Show”; where in the decorative arts do you want to go? But part of the fun is that we can now better entertain you, with our own unpredictable displays, in Newel’s new warehouse in Long Island City (LIC).
There is no denying my passion for the visual image and how decorative arts are so critical to enhance a stage. The stage is anyone’s opportunity to show how you live your daily life, anytime and anywhere. What is now possible are more dramatic and unexpected presentations at different locations in the warehouse; it can make our new showroom look boring!
Part of the fun for me is to actually move the stuff and play around with the space available. It could be a vitrine or it could be a corner wall or intersection of aisles. You never know where the next location needs some attention and “creativity”. However you can go so far. With the products at hand you have to be judicious in selecting complementing pieces. But in real life or imaginary, no two interiors are decorated the same in every detail, unless you are a theater stage or a TV production.
In a strange way it really doesn’t matter how you show the goods, there is so much of it available to anyone with an “eye” for style or quality. However, the price is another matter and it is always negotiable for the independent buyer (except when dealing with auctioneers like the Sotheby’s/Christie’s duopoly and their disturbing buyer’s premiums.) While money can buy happiness, it doesn’t necessarily include the visual sense of style and a discernment for a special piece.
Newel is now planning the next chapter in our long and distinguished 76 years associated in the entertainment and the fine and decorative arts industries. We are pulling up stakes from our traditional location since 1977 (our original location was on 47th Street and Second Avenue) to having an additional new showroom location at 306 61st Street. It is just over the bridge from the new “warehouse” and allows us more flexibility. There is still a reluctance to making the LIC trip, but a lot of new residences have been build there and it seems so accessible. Certainly the abundance of museums and major TV and motion picture production facilities is a positive factor.
New York has a long history of being considered an entertainment and art world hub. I love the decorative arts and antiques and as we use them for display or physically stuffed in our warehouse, they were somewhere else before ending up with Newel and possibly being rented out to a TV show or movie. Every item has a story and most of the time it’s a secret!
Our business has years of experience in dealing with sets for “The Godfather”, “My Fair Lady” on Broadway, or Bergdorf Goodman window display; the list goes on and on. We have sold to the White House and interior designers with incredible understanding of decorating for important clients. We have pretty high expectations for people who rent or buy our inventory. But to me, nothing is more exciting than our incredible diversification which offer so many surprises. So,
Let me entertain you
Let me make you smile
Let me do a few tricks
Some old and then some new tricks
I’m very versatile
And if you’re real good
I’ll make you feel good
I want your spirits too climb
So let me entertain you
And we’ll have a real good time, yes sir
We’ll have a real good time (1)
- From the 1959 Broadway show, Gypsy; music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim