Step into the world of Evelyn Bauer and you may find yourself torn: do you want to explore every curio-laden corner or just listen to her tell the vibrant tales of her treasures? At 97, Bauer’s apartment in Reseda is much more than a senior’s flat—it’s a living, breathing museum of memories, and the owner is as lively as her collection.
Moving In, Letting Go—and Finding Joy
In 2014, Bauer downsized from a four-bedroom home in Sherman Oaks to a cozy two-bedroom, two-bath apartment in an independent living facility. It wasn’t easy: “It was hard to part with so much stuff,” she confides. Her former house was overflowing with antiques and keepsakes from decades as a collector and antiques dealer. Yet, her spirits soared as she watched others fall in love with her belongings during her estate sale, finding pleasure in the notion that each piece gained a new admirer, just as she had been during that very first encounter.
The Apartment: An Archive of Adventure
Walk through Bauer’s living room and you’re instantly transported to the era of the Encino Antique Center, where she was proprietor in the 1990s. Every item is more than an object—it’s a chapter in her ongoing story. Among the highlights:
- The first antique she ever bought: an iridescent orange stretch glass vase. That modest $4 price sticker is still there, and though its market value may not make collectors swoon, it is one of Bauer’s personal favorites.
- A 1930s rocking chair from her parents’ New York home—her father’s favorite, now nestled in intimate company.
Her penchant for the color orange is clear: after living in a spacious 2,600-square-foot home, she painted every wall a subtle orange hue, hoping to make her ceramics, wall pockets, glass, and furniture pop. “It’s a happy color,” she notes, pointing to her orange chaise and Art Nouveau ceramics. She even strategized about how to hide a second door, painting everything the same shade so the etageres could mask what lurked behind.
Collecting: A Lifelong Adventure
For Bauer, collecting is a passion—a “happy affliction,” as she calls it, finely honed over 65 years. She relishes both the thrill of discovery and the detective work that follows. Treasures are researched via Google and reference books then carefully recorded in her petite cursive: the maker, date, cost, and current value (“Weller, Forest c. 1920. Paid $1 at a yard sale. Took to Antiques Roadshow in the 1990s. Valued at $250-$350.” reads one tag under an Art Deco vase).
- She marvels at purple glass—magnesium-altered by sunlight: “Collectors say it’s an abomination. That’s ridiculous. I love it!”
- That artfully placed fretwork wood panel above her daybed? Bauer recalls, “I bought that at a yard sale along with a chair, $65 for both. It hung over my restaurant, then served as a headboard, and now it’s here.”
Even nowadays, though she no longer drives, her curiosity hasn’t slowed. With every acquisition comes the real challenge—finding its perfect place at home.
Connection Beyond Collectibles
Amid all these objects, Bauer’s warmth for people stands out. She’s known around her residence as a “people person,” hosting monthly antiques lectures and planning outings for her neighbors, including an upcoming trip to the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop. Recent talks have covered celluloid, vintage weddings, and Art Deco, breathing new life into the world of collecting for her audience.
Former L.A. City Councilwoman Joy Picus credits Bauer for opening her eyes: “I then saw Evelyn’s apartment full of interesting things, and saw things in a different light. Through Evelyn’s outstanding programs, another world has been opened up to me.” Even a lecture on Bakelite featured Bauer’s own candlestick telephone, with stories on the plastic’s history. “I know a lot, but there’s always more to learn,” Bauer says, proving that collecting isn’t just about the past—it’s about curiosity for what’s next.
- Bauer prizes her John Widdicomb Midcentury Modern coffee table, bought new in Washington, D.C.
- She beams when recalling her Halloween win. “I’m going to be Michael Jackson this year, and I’m determined to moonwalk,” she laughs. (She’s currently brushing up on the moves using her iPad!)
- Her granddaughters’ recent claims on plates and mirrors quickly became official, as Bauer tagged each with their names: the next generation predetermined, and blessed, to inherit her joys.
Losses haven’t dulled her warmth; after losing both her husbands, her apartment and its objects remain a source of comfort and the same sense of familiarity that distinguished the home she shared with family for nearly half a century.
The lesson from Evelyn Bauer’s joyful, auction-colored world is kind and clear: every object holds the potential for a new story, a passing of happiness, and—occasionally—a smashing Halloween moonwalk.
With a discerning eye for exceptional craftsmanship and timeless beauty, Edward has dedicated his career to sourcing and curating fine antique furniture from across USA. His deep appreciation for historical design, from Georgian elegance to Art Deco sophistication, guides collectors and enthusiasts in discovering pieces that tell stories of bygone eras. Through his expertise and genuine passion, he helps preserve the artistry of master cabinetmakers while bringing distinguished character into contemporary homes.
