Haute Time Visits Material Good In NYC

By Mimi Lombardo January 14, 2016

Sink into a sumptuous setting to view and acquire exclusive timepieces, refined jewels, dynamic art and rare objects of desire at the quiet loft space, Material Good. Founders Rob Ronen and Michael Herman promise a one-of-a-kind experience.

Photography Donnelly Marks

HT: How did the concept for Material Good evolve?
ROB: Michael and I were working in different industries, but we happened to end up working at the same large diamond manufacturer at Rockefeller Center. I was 22 and Michael was 23, and we started within a week of each other by chance. I left to work at Audemars Piguet and was there for ten years. Michael decided to start his own private jewelry company in Midtown where he created custom diamond pieces like engagement rings, diamond studs and everything and anything custom.

HT: Can you speak about the concept for Material Good?
MICHAEL: We didn’t want a traditional space for clients. Being removed from the street maintains an air of exclusivity and quiet, which we felt right for our exhibition space.
We wanted to make the space look like a luxurious home. We began with watches, but then we brought in jewelry and diamonds. Soon came the art, bags, vintage jewelry, vintage watches and a little bit of everything luxury-related. Our clients come in, relax and enjoy a drink while looking at our collection. It’s really like coming to somebody’s home. Rob insists the only thing we ask a client is what do they want to drink. It’s not a forced environment.

HT: Who created the interior?
MICHAEL: It was collaboration between Spin Design, Meg Sharpe Interiors and us.
HT: Can you talk a bit about the art you have displayed?
MICHAEL: We are both collectors, but the art we exhibit is a collaborative effort. With the amazing design, fine jewelry, watches and a sprawling loft space, the art is a perfect accompaniment. Sometimes at art galleries you may see artwork stacked up so that they are difficult to see but here, you can view art as it would be in a living space.

HT: What are some of the items for sale at Material Good?
MICHAEL: We sell custom engagement rings, wedding bands, and jewelry from Fred Leighton, Anita Ko, and Jason of Beverly Hills, among many others. We are authorized dealers for Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet. Our latest addition is a uber-luxe alligator skin backpack from H.L. James.

HT: Will the artwork rotate?
ROB: The art and design elements of this loft space will vary from time to time. What we love about the space and our concept is the ability to curate rarified objects including the artworks. Right now we’re having a moment with Warhol. We have four original Warhols in the space, but within a month we will be changing that up and focusing on artists such as Basquiat, Damien Hirst, and David LaChapelle. We really love post-war modern artists because the work keeps the space fun and lively. I like to say that we sell objects at high price points that are considered serious, but also playful. We have a custom Foosball table and host events and dinners in this space.

Material Good
120 Wooster Street, second floor
New York, NY
Materialgoodny.com