Pullman Editions with Georgina Khachadourian

Affordable artwork is not what you expect to find on the Pimlico Road, but at Pullman Editions you can get your hands on original, limited-edition Art Deco-style posters for the humble price tag of £395. Managing director Georgina Khachadourian explains how the collections are produced and why posters have become increasingly desirable

How did the company start?

My husband, Simon Khachadourian, founder of the Pullman Gallery, has dealt in important original vintage posters for over 30 years. Having seen the prices of Art Deco posters dramatically increase over the last decade or so, we saw a gap in the market for more affordable decorative posters, that incorporate the iconic design elements from the 1920s and 1930s, which are so sought after.

Prior to launching Pullman Editions with Simon in 2010, I spent 10 years in the City developing marketing strategies for small businesses, so I’ve been able to apply many of those skills to our poster business – starting my own business is something I’d always wanted to do, and I love the creativity involved in designing the poster collections.

Guiding philosophy?

To provide an affordable alternative to vintage posters, by designing striking and original limited-edition posters that capture the enduring appeal of Art Deco, produced traditionally to the highest standards.

Why has the market for posters increased in recent years?

Quite simply, it has to do with supply and demand. There are many new collectors entering the field of vintage posters, and because there is only a finite supply of advertising posters produced ‘in period’ that have survived, the inevitable result is that prices have grown steadily.

Why Art Deco?

Art Deco is an iconic design period and has a timeless style which is extremely decorative, fun and colourful. Its popularity has surpassed that of the earlier Art Nouveau posters, as the clean and uncluttered Art Deco style works so well with modern interiors.

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Why cars, winter and summer holidays?

Resort posters evoke memories of holidays and happy times spent with loved ones – they make great gifts for this reason. Similarly, motoring posters appeal to enthusiasts, all of whom have their favourite marque, to which they are loyal and passionate. Also, posters advertising the Grandes Marques – Alfa Romeo, Bentley and Ferrari for example – were never produced in period, so what we offer is something that is really rather unique.

How do you source the artists?

Our house artist, Charles Avalon, was introduced to us by a mutual acquaintance and has produced most of the artworks in our current collections. We’ve also featured other guest artists in our collections, including Emilio Saluzzi, Dexter Brown and Katrine Köhli, with whom we have worked in the past. We are contacted by artists on a regular basis, but most modern poster artists produce artwork only digitally – we work exclusively with artists who paint their artworks, using traditional methods of water-colour, gouache and so on, just like the great poster artists of the 1920s and 1930s.

Where do the artists get their inspiration from?

All of our artists have a passion for their subject, whether it’s skiing, travel or cars, and this shines through in their work. Inspiration often comes from vintage posters, but sometimes it can come from less obvious things like buildings and architecture.

Current bestsellers?

Our overall best-selling poster is L’Été sur la Côte d’Azur, depicting the legendary 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider on a quayside in the South of France, probably because aside from being a wonderful sunny feel-good image, it incorporates all the elements of a great Art Deco poster – stylised lettering, a Riva motorboat, and a California Ferrari.

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Which poster would you buy for your husband?

The Route du Soleil by Charles Avalon, which features a Ferrari Daytona. It reminds me of driving holidays we’ve spent together in the South of France, albeit in a different car!

Favourite room in the house and why?

The kitchen, because it’s the hub of the home and where we spend most of our time.

Slick city penthouse or country farm?

Definitely slick city penthouse. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere other than London!

94 Pimlico Road, London, SW1W; www.pullmaneditions.com; 020 7730 0547

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