Q&A with Sydney Perkins of Martinie and Altom Architectural Imports
By Kendall on Nov 10, 2011 • One Comment (give us yours!)
A few weeks ago I journeyed over to Riverfront Boulevard to check out one of the Design Districts newest and most unique antique outfits, Martinie and Altom Architectural Imports. Founders Sydney Perkins and Mikael Martinie met me at their showroom/workshop to show off their first shipment of imports and give me the scoop on their new business venture. Combining a love of travel, history and a passion for design, Mikael and Sydney recently launched their French import business in the Dallas Design District.
Intrigued by their story, I asked a litany of questions which Sydney gladly answered and I put together into this little Q&A!
How did you two decide to get into the import business?
Mik and I have worked together on renovation projects in the Lyonnaise region of France since 2008. While we were digging up and trying to find a creative use for terra cotta tiles from these historically rich residences, we had the idea to create our own import company permitting us to enjoy the best of both worlds, (France is admittedly preferable to Dallas from June to September!) and do something we love.
My family is in Arkansas, and while I adore living in a big French city year-round, I’m a Southern gal at heart, and Dallas was a natural choice. We’re currently looking for a property to renovate in Lower Oak Lawn because we love this area. All we need now is a boulangerie and a river!
What distinguishes Martinie and Altom from other French antique shops in the Design District?
We go scouting the countryside to find incredible pieces from dilapidated residences that are slated to be demolished (We have a deconstruction business located in Lyon.), and often we’re contacted by individuals renovating their homes who don’t want to simply trash a beautiful and functional hand-carved fireplace. So each piece has a story; it’s been used, loved, chipped, painted, sandblasted, etc. Each piece has survived the elements and the test of time and that makes them utterly cool.
We wanted to concentrate on only reclaimed pieces and giving value to something that was nearly lost, saving it in a sense. We go to the source, research the provenance, get to know the locals, deconstruct the edifice, transport it, clean it, and then document the process, so I think our approach is fairly authentic, if labor intensive!
So the pieces you choose have must have some cool stories. Would you share one of your favorites?
The Cheminee LF (pictured above) was one of our first projects. The farmhouse it comes from is located in Parcieux, Rhone and dates from the early 19th century. The stone is from the nearby hills of Beaujolais, an area named after ‘Les Pierres Dorrees’ or ‘Golden Stones’ due to the ferrous oxide in the limestone that gives it a reddish hue.
What’s particularly special about this piece is that the stonemason’s signature ,”LF,” is visible on the linteau and jambes. During this period, stonemasons from the region reserved stone at the quarry and were recognized for their work by carving their signature.
Each project makes me reflect on my own legacy, my own story. There are 7 billion stories walking the earth! That’s just mindboggling to me…I feel like his work speaks volumes about his life and how laborious carving stone must have been at this time (no forklifts!). He was a provincial stonemason in Beaujolais 200 years ago and now his work will be a part of someone else’s story. I love thinking that — despite time and distance — our lives and our stories remain interconnected.
Gothic window surround, Haute Savoie // Limestone tiles, Cremieu, Rhone
What other types of architectuals do you offer?
We have a wide array of stone and ironwork, from a Gothic window surround to 17th century terra cotta tiles and other pieces such as limestone dalle de Bourgogne, roofing tiles, milemarkers, stone crosses, and cast iron gates.
So now that you’ve gotten your first container, what’s next for M&A?
We’ve started researching projects for our second shipment slated to arrive in Spring 2012. We’d like to offer a broader array of building stone and freestanding elements: Lyonnais granite paving stones, water wells, chapel arches, village pressoirs, millstones, as well as venture into early 20th century industrial decor and furnishings reworked and welded by yours truly… So stay tuned!
Post Tags: Antiques
About the Author
French had being pioneers in many architectural styles and also obtaining some of the finest architectural creations of the continent. Styles like Second Empire during the mid 19th century when Napoleon III established the Second Empire, Paris became a city of tall, imposing buildings and mansard roofs – with no slope until the top creating a sense of majesty and creating more living space in the attic. This practical solution appealed Americans so much that we can still find this reflected in many homes in Dallas.
Balconies and masonry ornaments also shows the the influence of French architect in Dallas homes. That is because many American architects study in the École de Beaux-Arts.
Sydney Perkins and Mikael Martinie are doing a great job by, not only reminding us of how much we value our French connection but also by saving those historical pieces with all the intense labor their putting on. Keep up with your amazing job!