Whom Are You Collecting?

When Adam Blackman, co-owner of Blackman-Cruz, moved into a 1950 home two years ago, he started filling it with mid-century modern--”not that plasticky kitschy stuff.” His collection includes such substantial pieces as a 1958 bronze dining room set called “The Gazelle” by Californian Dan Johnson. Blackman especially likes the changing patina of the bronze. “You can see the age in the piece. It has a feeling of permanence.” Another favorite is a coffee table by Italian designer Gio Ponti with a round glass top and 8-inch copper fingers that look as if they’re going through the glass. Verboten in Blackman’s home? Chrome. “Everything looks like a car bumper.”