Shopping With... The New Traditionalists

By Marni Elyse Katz
May 13, 2010

Various pieces from The New Traditionalists collection, clockwise from top left: Chair No. 29, Regency Junior Bed, Side Table No. 33, Regency Crib, Bar Cart No. 1, Chair No. 395, Savannah Changer, Dresser No. 32 and Chair No. 66.

Back in 2005, Philip Erdoes wanted to furnish his newborn daughter’s room in the sleek, modern look he favored at the time, but such options were scarce. Undeterred, he banded together with a few former colleagues and friends who had collective financial and design experience: Brady Wilcox, Rebby Gregg, and David Harris. The quartet launched ducduc, a modern children’s furniture line known for its clean-lined white lacquered cribs, dressers, and bunk beds with blocks of orange, pink, and sky blue panels.

Today, ducduc is thriving, but the team is hardly coasting on their success. In fact, their creative energies have been working overtime. Less than two months ago, they launched a second line of furniture, The New Traditionalists. It is clear from the refined designs, which showcase an altogether more grown up aesthetic, the guys’ tastes have evolved.

“It definitely has more of an eclectic feel," Harris says. “The pieces are meant to be mixed and matched.” There are no collections within The New Traditionalist line. Rather, the designers encourage clients to blend pieces with other furnishings, from fine antiques to mid-century vintage finds. To avoid evoking any outside influence or connotation, they didn’t name the pieces either (with the exception of the children's furniture). Instead, each chair, table, armoire, etc. is numbered. (The numerals actually refer back to important places and memories, like the address of a favorite restaurant or their factory, though the significance is apparent only to the makers.) Needless to say, this is so not the place to shop if you’re looking for a uniform bedroom set, à la big box furniture stores.

The clients (or at least their decorators!) is meant to be heavily involved in the creative process, so every piece in The New Traditionalist line, which is manufactured in nearby Litchfield, Connecticut, is customizable. In addition to a dozen lacquered colors, there are 20 different finishes that show the grain of the wood, from more classic options like distressed stained oak and whitewash, to color glazes and a worn silver effect.

The Inside Source recently chatted with the guys about their inspirations and design process, and they then sifted through eBay to find items that are currently catching their collective eye.

The Inside Source: What are you feeling inspired by right now?

The New Traditionalists: Spring! All the new colors and textures of spring. And our clients who create unique furniture with our finishes and colors.

The Inside Source: Any particular vintage shopping haunts?

The New Traditionalists: When we drive from New York, where our showroom is located, to our factory in Litchfield County, Connecticut, we stop along the way if we spot anything interesting. We discovered Get Back Inc. along the way. The industrial-sized pieces made from patinated metal and worn woods that they salvage from old buildings are great inspiration for materials and scale. We love cars and country roads. It’s the road trip version of eBay!

The Inside Source: With so much talk of creating and curating, we can’t help but think your approach is like assembling outfits. Are any pieces inspired by fashion?

The New Traditionalists: Definitely. We incorporate fashion elements into cabinetry details and upholstery. Chair No. 66 features a toggle coat detail; Chair No. 395 has a leather strap detail that updates the traditional roll arm chair; and Table No. 33 has laser-cut leather that wraps around its side like a belt.

The Inside Source: Do you have any of The New Traditionalist pieces in your own homes?

The New Traditionalists: Philip has two Chair No 180s in his living room that he’s mixed with other custom and vintage pieces, including an antique Chinese herb cabinet and some mid-century modern stacking tables. Brady has two Armoire No. 35s flanking the fireplace in his living room and David has his eye on Sofa No. 220. All of us have different styles, but we are all New Traditionalists.

**Images of The New Traditionalists furniture courtesy of the brand.**

The New Traditionalists' eBay picks:

1. Genuine Jaeger LeCoultre 18K/SS Reverso Men’s Watch (winning bid, $1,913.99) "Love the worn leather band, with the simple design and elegant materials, as well as the beautiful Jaeger Le Coultre logo."

2. Antique Trophy Loving Cup 1907 (winning bid, $135) "We like stories of winning. An old trophy has so much untold history: who won it, what the event was, when the competition was. It sparks our imagination."

3. Victorian Bronze Lion Head Drawer Pull (buy it now price, $85) "We like the history of this object; the great wear and tear it evokes."

4. Lot of 3 Men’s Vintage Scottish Woven Wool Ties (winning bid, $10.51) "We like the Scottish heritage. Reminds us of something our fathers wore."

5. Set of 2 Vintage Italian Mid-Century Nightstands (buy it now price, $550) "We love the shape of the leg and the finish. And they’re Italian, so what’s not to love?"

6. 1958 Star Class Sail Boat (buy it now price, $3,000) "The craftsmanship in the wood hull and the paint job are exceptional."

7. Vintage Mid-Century Mod Club Chairs (buy it now price, $5,800) "We love the way these two chairs are upholstered."

8. Hermes Gold-Plated Leather and Metal Box (buy it now price, $1,780) "The pattern on the metal is beautiful!"

9. Mid-Century French Buffet with Black Marble Top (buy it now price, $1,950) "We admire the veneer inlay detail and all the attention to detail inside the drawers on this piece."

10. 1963 Ford Country Squire 4-Speed Station Wagon (buy it now price, $26,995) "Brings back memories of family roadtrips and vacations. It’s so American."

11. Pair Mid-Century Italian Arm Chairs (buy it now price, $1,595) "The tailoring details are exquisite."

12. Baccarat Volnay Crystal Decanter (buy it now price, $235.95) "Vintage crystal works well on any bar."

Marni Elyse Katz is a Boston-based writer and editor who covers style, art and design for
a variety of publications, including the Boston Globe Magazine, Boston Home and her own blog, Style Carrot.

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