Meet Mod Livin's Vintage Dealers!

Meet Mod Livin's Vintage Dealers!

Published by Shawn on May 25th 2017

Meet our vintage dealers - Beth and John.  They are 2 of the most knowledgeable and resourceful vintage dealers in the country!  Be sure to stop by the store to see our ever changing vintage inventory.  Beth and John have a keen eye for the rare and wacky.  

Here's Beth!!!

My fascination with collecting began with cocktail shakers about 20+ years ago while living in Detroit. I bought a book authored by Stephen Visakay (who is an expert in the world of shakers) and proceeded to read it from cover to cover. I then started to look for those babies everywhere I went. I amassed a small collection and from there I got interested in the whole art deco period.

I was transferred from Detroit to Denver in 1999 with Lord and Taylor (which was my full time job). At that point, I decided to sell some of my duplicates. I had my stuff on display in a small space. One day I got a message to call this number for "an opportunity". I called and it turned out to be none other than the world famous Erick Roorda. He said they were opening a mid century modern store and asked if I would be interested. The next week I looked at the building and the space and was extremely impressed. Perfect for what we were doing. We opened the store in 2001 and the rest is history.

I started out selling mostly smalls and eventually branched out into the whole furniture scene. Every part of this job is fun: traveling, picking, buying, selling and merchandising. Working with Jill and Erick has been the best part of this experience as they are not only great business people but great friends as well. When May company closed our store in Cherry Creek in 2005, I decided to pursue this full time.


Here's John!!!

My name is John. I've been a vintage dealer with Mod Livin’ nearly since day one, almost 15 years ago. My fondness for good design began as I tried my hand creating art/design early in life. Several career and personal detours eventually led me to procuring/selling design as a vintage dealer of decorative arts when Jill and her husband, Erick, opened Mod Livin’ in 2001.

I am lucky to be working with good friends, while being surrounded by wonderful design. The thrill of acquiring and re-homing great objects remains as rewarding today as it was 15 years ago. I have always loved the appeal to the senses of a great design whether an automobile, a motorcycle, a bicycle, or furnishings. All are my weaknesses.

My favorite vintage "mid-century" design? There are so many "lust worthy" objects. I really like 70's mod design, but have a soft spot for the "swan chair" (1958) by Danish architect Arne Jacobsen. It's beautiful, attainable, inviting, and comfortable and makes everyone who sees it smile. Unfortunately it's widely and poorly copied which makes owning an original that much better.

Good design should excite and energize. It's a privilege to bring that to the marketplace and into someone’s home.



Beth and John are always around and happy to answer any questions you may have about their vintage finds.  Mod Livin's vintage inventory changes daily, so be sure to stop by often.  Check out 1stdibs.com to see some of our fantastic items!