Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhett Baruch.
Hi Rhett, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
This version of me started five years ago when I moved from Phoenix to Los Angeles, I knew that I had wanted to exist in the design world, it just wasn’t exactly the path I imagined, which is often the case, expectations versus reality. Interior design was the original pursuit, but without a degree or any formal experience, my countless cold emails to local firms fell on deaf or uninterested ears. I’ve said it before and it’s the only way I can think of putting it still, becoming a dealer was based out of survival. No matter what, I couldn’t return to my previous life of technical support and corporate life. Call it pride, call it ego, I felt destined to carve a path into the creative world. I spent every cent I had come to LA with before it really clicked and took off. I don’t know how to explain it, but I feel very blessed that it got me this far. Nothing about it was easy, especially psychologically. With the rapidly evolving digital sphere of dealers, my exposure to international design, blue chip art fairs, etc, it could all be really defeating at times. Financially, I knew obtaining a showroom was out of reach, I also knew my apartment served as an attractive and suitable platform to invite clients to. So, what started as a rotating experiment once only suited for Instagram, is now a destination for collectors, dealers and designers. It’s a lived-in showroom, even the remodeled kitchen has objects, art and photography strewn about. The apartment, my experiences and exploration of this neighborhood and city have served as the pillar of my education into what you’re seeing now.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Life, man. It’s both beautiful and disgusting, grueling at times. I wouldn’t say there is anything out of the ordinary that any number of individuals haven’t or aren’t experiencing today. Anyone that has attempted to start a business that simply cannot be turnkey, thats strives to be unique and to a fault, doesn’t focus on financial gain as the driving force, knows this struggle. I take each day as new and generally accept what is thrown at me. My biggest internal struggle is likely my inability to commit to what the brand should be, what it should look like and what does it say. I feel closer all the time and really excited for that light at the end of the tunnel.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an art and design dealer that has a primary focus on vintage. I aspire to be a contemporary gallerist/curator/stylist and dealer. Most of the work I sell now, both old and new, is fairly unique, it isn’t for everybody. I get that I could probably sell more if I subscribed to trendsetting and more universally palatable homewares, but I can’t help but to be attracted to the obscure. I’ve never been one for mid-century modern and really didn’t ever come across it, so it’s as if my path was preset to hone in on finding anonymous studio made ceramics, sculpture, lighting and paintings. I have attempted to apply that same ethos to the roster of artists I show today, a diverse offering of mediums are on deck and I’m always searching for more of those pushing their boundaries. What my audience and artists seem to enjoy about what I do is my ability to mix, to juxtapose with age and styles and create a vignette that lets work communicate in an uncommon way. Taking already great design and putting it in a new situation that would not really be thought of or possible unless it found a home next an equally unique idea.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
There’s really too many great clients and colleagues to mention. If you know me, you know I’m very approachable and have no issue engaging in long and in-depth conversations both in person and via DM. I’ve maintained years long relationships with people I’ve never met, some are “cheerleaders” and it’s a mutual exchange of motivation and admiration. I can definitely thank Ryan Durkin of Modern Manor in Phoenix who helped me make the move to Los Angeles, none of this would have been possible without him. I’ve had a small but quality group of friends that have continually believed in me, that’s all I can ask for.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.rhettbaruch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhett.baruch.design/
Image Credits:
Michael Allen: https://www.instagram.com/michaelallencreative/
