Bucks County Herald
November 2004

Doris Brandes: Art View
Art Deco lighting book reflects shades of the past

Those of us who live in the New Hope area are proud of the Deco Guys: Herb Millman and John Dwyer.  Just this year they celebrated the eighth anniversary of their Art Deco emporium, Cockamamie's.  It is no accident that their award-winning shop is such a success. Millman and Dwyer are among the finest national experts of these special collectible design accessories from the Roaring '20s.

The experts started by just "falling in love" with Art Deco.  As they collected more and more they taught themselves what no one else could teach them.  Now it is possible to learn their trade secrets about Art Deco lighting from their new book, hot off the presses, Popular Art Deco Lighting: Shades of the Past.

Besides being enormously informative, it is a beautiful book.  Published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd., it contains 590 color photographs, with detailed descriptions of the glass, composition and the price range of each piece.

The book is done with great style, knowledge and full of useful information for professional interior decorators, restoration buffs, theater goers and all who collect period lighting and enjoy beautiful works of art.  It is the second book on Art Deco Millman and Dwyer have published in two years.

Millman and Dwyer currently share their expertise on Tiffany inspired lighting on the national QVC network.  The network immediately saw the great advantage of the acquired expertise of the talented pair and last April they were hired for frequent appearances at the well informed experts they are.

In mid 2003, they were hired to appear in a weekly television series, Out of the Closet With the Decoguys.  They design the concept for each show and who would know better?  The producer is marketing the show to many other cable networks.

They seem to have a full calendar of jobs and events, which they love and after all nothing succeeds like success.  One interest has led to another and they are now sought-after experts in their field.

They still run their shop in New Hope and welcome Art Deco admirers and collectors to visit them at 6 West Bridge Street, near the corner of Main.  If you buy one of their new books, they will personally autograph it.

"Decoguys" set for more books and television

Herb Millman and John Dwyer, owners of Cockamamie's in New Hope are on a roll. They just published their second book and they are about to start a third.  And, as the "Decoguys," they regularly appear on television as resident lighting experts for QVC.

TV Pilot Out of the Closet with the Decoguys:  The concept is to examine the history of 20th-century furnishings and collectibles, highlight different shops and shopkeepers to provide an example of a style and demonstrate the way Art Deco and other 20th-century styles can work in your home.  The Philadelphia producer, Full Tilt Productions, expects the show to be picked up by a major cable network. 

decoguys can be seen on QVC television