01.2004
- Laura Lear is a seasoned appraiser, auction house veteran, and retail professional owning/operating three separate locations over the past two decades
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- Lear opened her first retail location, FORM 20, in Silverlake, California in 1999
- FORM 20 soon became a go-to place for quality modern design finds for local customers, dealers, and respected interior designers including such luminaries as regular Kelly Wearstler
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- Lear successfully managed all aspects of operations including sales, customer service, sourcing of new inventory and authentication and appraisals when necessary
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- Lear then moved to New York City in 2001, where she partnered with Robert Cowen at Donzella 20th Century Gallery, managing one of NY’s most successful and oldest 20th Century Design stores in Tribeca
- Upon his death, she became the executor of the estate, tasked with selling his extensive and important personal art and design collection which she sold for well over $2,000,000 in the course of one year
- She liaised extensively with auction houses Sotheby’s, Phillips de Pury and Christies to manage the sale of over 500 items of rare furniture, lighting, and fine art by 20th Century Masters including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf, Joan Miro, Jean Michel Basquiat, Joseph Beuys, Robert Rauschenberg, Cindy Sherman, Gio Ponti, George Nelson, Charlotte Perriand, Joe Colombo, Paul Laszlo and Jean Prouve
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- Lear launched Lear’s 20th Century Design in New York, a high-end showroom in Manhattan specializing in the best designers and artists of the 20th century
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- Lear was invited by founder Michael Bruno to join the exclusive international website 1stdibs.com in 2005
- In 2006 national interior design and luxury lifestyle publication The Robb Report announced her showroom was the “go to source” for Manhattan’s modern design
- She also was a trusted source of merchandise rentals for commercial and print advertising campaigns for Calvin Klein, Martha Stewart, Tommy Hilfiger, Bloomingdales, Vogue, and Tiffany,
- Lear’s 20th Century Design relocated to Los Angeles, California in 2010, where the company achieved robust sales to top interior designers, architects, and high net-worth clientele worldwide
- Clients included many of the 100 Top Interior Designers in the world including Jonathan Adler, Nate Berkus, Amy Lau, Albert Hadley, Victoria Hagen, Fox-Nahem, and Bunny Williams as well as celebrities and clients worldwide.
