HISTORIC FURNISHINGS CONSULTING
 

Artifactual History, LLC offers historic consultation services ensuring historical accuracy in design and historic furnishings plan development.  Principal Sarah Reeder, AAA, ISA CAPP works in collaboration with an experienced team of experts whose specialized skill sets range from interior decoration and construction consulting to on-site styling and antique sourcing.

The team includes:

Sarah Reeder, AAA, ISA CAPP, CEO of Artifactual History, LLC

Sarah Reeder is the lead consultant advising on historical accuracy and making sure that all items within each project are appropriate for the year of interpretation and also in keeping with the specific tastes and style preferences of the historical figures or fictional characters who inhabited the spaces.  An experienced writer, editor, and published author, she additionally is responsible for the writing of historic furnishings plans and serves as the lead point of contact for written communications in each project.

Sarah received her master's and undergraduate degrees from the College of William & Mary, where she also completed the Program in Museum Studies, Material Culture, and Early American History from the National Institute of American History and Democracy.  

Prior to founding Artifactual History, LLC, Sarah’s professional experience included positions at the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, as well as positions as a Subject Specialist at auction houses.  

As an appraiser of art and antiques, Sarah has a deep knowledge of furniture, art, and design styles across multiple centuries.  She has advised on historic furnishings consultation projects ranging from the 18th century to 20th century eras of interpretation.  Sarah is a Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America and a Certified Member of the International Society of Appraisers Private Client Services designation.  She is Co-Founder and Co-Editor of Worthwhile Magazine, Co-Host of The Art Elevator Podcast, and author of the book Ray Eames in 1930s New York.

Samara Goodman, Principal of Samara Interiors, LLC and Associate of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)

Samara Goodman is the lead consultant in interior design. Samara’s deep expertise with historical textiles and interior design selections across a wide range of eras informs her skill sourcing historically-appropriate décor. She is gifted at finding ideal options to fulfill specific historical periods through her extensive network of design trade vendors. A particular area of strength is her sourcing of to-the-trade-only textiles, artwork, and hard to find furnishings. 

Her design oversight and close collaboration with expert historical team members creates a visually cohesive and consistent design aesthetic across all the spaces. Additionally, as an experienced interior decorator, she communicates efficiently throughout the construction process with vendor and contractor partners. In consultation with other team members, Samara oversees and participates in the installation and styling of the project décor through to completion. 

Samara received her BS from Skidmore College and MA from George Washington University before completing her certification in Interior Decorating. Prior to founding Samara Interiors, LLC, she worked for the US Department of Education on behalf of individuals with disabilities. This role provided her with extensive knowledge in universal design and barrier-free living environments, which is an added benefit she brings to her residential and commercial design projects.

Max A. Kaplan, Professor at New York University and Owner of the antique furnishings sourcing company Perfect Old Things, LLC

Max A. Kaplan is an antique dealer, fashion arts scholar, artist, and university professor.  He holds a BA with a concentration in Material Culture Studies from New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study and an MA in Visual Culture: Costume Studies from New York University's Steinhardt School of Education.  He also earned an MFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts, where he received the Boit Award and a fellowship with the Hochschule für Bildende Künste to study in the workshops of Anselm Reyle and Thomas Demand. Recent teaching positions and coursework development include Tufts University and the Rhode Island School of Design. As an antique dealer, Max has over ten years of experience sourcing furniture and design objects for set design companies and iconic department stores like Bergdorf Goodman. Max now teaches a self-created course in Fine Art at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. He also works on select interior design commissions within the development of his own online antique store Perfect Old Things.

 What We Do:

-Historic Furnishings Consultation Services:  We advise on what a home, building, or film set would have looked like in a particular year of interpretation.  The team researches available extant information on the specific historic site to generate a recreation that is as close as possible to what was there.  In projects to create a fictional rather than a historic interior, the team conducts research on a variety of interiors from the time period and the unique traits of the fictional characters being interpreted are factored into the style of the furnishings.  The team provides guidance about what furnishings would have been present during the year of interpretation as well as decorative arts, rugs, and fine art accessories. 

-Historic Furnishings Plan Development:  We research and write historic furnishings plans documenting the items to be included in each room and the support for why they would have been there.

-Sourcing of Items for Historic Interiors:  We provide sourcing services for projects who are ready to purchase specific items to recreate a historic interior.  Sourcing services include bespoke research across auctions and other venues factoring in shipping distance, client budget, and regional furniture styles appropriate for the recreated interior.  The team has access to trade discounts which benefit clients and the ability to manage the logistics of purchase and acquisition including access to industry vendors.

-Construction Consultation: As an experienced interior decorator, Samara Goodman communicates efficiently throughout the construction process with vendor and contractor partners.

Our Client Base:

We have experience working with a range of clients including corporations, museum institutions, and private homeowners.  We enjoy working with a variety of projects including house museums, period-appropriate private homes, film and television sets, and corporate spaces.  We pride ourselves on creating interiors that are not only historically accurate, but they are also informed by a nuanced synthesis of available biographical and emotional details to reflect the unique personality and style of the people who inhabited the space.

Please reach out if you are interested in discussing possible collaborations with an email to info@artifactualhistory.com to get in touch with the project team.