News & Events

Author(s): 
Iza Emmett

What is USPAP? And why do you need a USPAP Compliant Appraiser

The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice - USPAP

1. The organization that is generally recognized to develop ethical and performance standards for appraisers in the United States.

2.  Adopted by Congress in 1989 and contains standards for all types of appraisal services including real estate, personal property, business and other appraisals.  USPAP is updated every two years.

3. The appraisers take a 15-hour course and have to pass a written exam to become USPAP compliant.  Then have to take an 8 hour course every two years.

 

Author(s): 
Iza Emmett

The Birth of American Art Deco

When the United States was invited to participate in the 1925 Paris Exposition,  Herbert Hoover, then Secretary of Commerce, declined, saying:  "America has no modern design.".   Luckily, a commission of 102 representatives was formed to go to Paris and visit the 1925 "Exposition des Arts Decoratifs et Industrielles Modernes".   At that time, the term "Art Deco" had not been coined yet...the style was called "Moderne".   Also, 400 items were chosen from the Exposition and toured 8 museums in the United States and by 1928 the "Modern" style had taken the United States by Storm.

Rosé - Growing Trend or New Staple?

Rosé…a recent growing trend for oenophiles and no I’m not talking about “blush” wines. I have to admit, after my last blog on whether I was a red or white kind of gal, I had a few people asking me “But what about Rosé”. To be honest I hadn’t really given it much thought until Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of the Today Show, and some of those Orange County Housewives, started talking about it and ultimately posting shots of it on Instagram accounts. All of a sudden I had to reorient myself with this conundrum of a varietal, mostly because inquiring minds want to know…

Author(s): 
Iza Emmett

Summer 2015 Issue of Modern Magazine, American Art Deco Furniture Book Article

Follow this link to download and see the full article.

Author(s): 
Jennie Bird

Exotic Woods in Art Deco Furniture Design

Puzzled by the difference between elm burl and maple burl?   This very useful guide to identifying the Woods of the World was found while we were doing research for Ric Emmett's book, American Art Deco Furniture, in the Grand Rapids Public Library.   It was published in the 1935 Spring & Summer issue of Home Furnishing Arts magazine.  It has photos of the grain of the wood and the location where it is harvested.

 

Author(s): 
Jennie Bird

National Wine Day

It's National Wine Day in the USA! Who created this day you ask? Who knows? The origin is not specified, but why argue. If the Today Show claims it it's good enough for me. Who needs a day or reason really to enjoy a nice glass or two? 

This led me to thinking about what else but Wine. There was an article on Facebook recently that listed the characteristics of red and white wine drinkers. Quite stereotypical in nature which was in a sense what made me wonder, "What if you're both?". 

Author(s): 
Jennie Bird

Ric Emmett's Book AVAILABLE at the Pier Show this Weekend

After a great "coming out" at the ISA Conference last weekend, the book (and Ric) will be at the Pier Show (Pier 92/94) in New York this weekend, starting at 10 am on Saturday, March 28th!!!

Author(s): 
Jennie Bird

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The holidays have come and gone, Christmas trees are lying in trash piles on the side of the road having fulfilled their Christmas destiny and will be now turned into mulch to fulfill their Spring destiny, which is a loose term down here in South Florida (currently we are at 82F here in Coral Gables). Snowbirds are flocking for their winter homes (which means more traffic for us locals).

Leon Castner and Ric Emmett
Author(s): 
Iza Emmett

Ric Emmett Attends Leon Castner's ISA Requalification Course

The International Society of Appraisers (ISA) requires that their members re-qualify for certification every 6 years.   Ric Emmett just attended the Requalification Course offered by ISA in Naperville, Illinois and taught by Leon Castner.   It was great!

Wine Appraisals at Estate Services Appraisals
Author(s): 
Jennie Bird

Wine appraisals

I recently completed the AAA - The Appraisers' Association of America - course on wine appraising at the NAPA Valley...we visited Mondavi, Sterling and received an incredible amount of information on what it takes to appraise wines & wine collections!   Yes, we did sample some great wines!!!!!

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