Karen Thomas' Thai housekeeper is apologetic. "Karen" is down in the garage basement, unpacking a shipment. So down we go from the Bird-Thomas household on the sixth floor and find a tiny dynamic powerhouse, power tool in hand, tackling large flat wooden crates of art, flown in by Fedex from Vietnam.
Sometimes, Thomas explains, pictures are sent pre-framed. These are heavier, so cost more, and they take longer to get through customs. Thomas prefers the canvases to arrive stretched and adds simple display frames for exhibition. Buyers can then properly frame them or not as they wish.
"For now," she says, "Greg can finish these off." And, as if reading her mind, Greg Copeland (GC Innovations: design, space planning, reforms, custom carpentry) arrives to take over.