NEW YORK CITY — Antiques Young Guns USA named Margaret Schwartz, owner of The Summer House, as the inaugural Antiques Young Gun of the Year November 14, during the Pier Antique Show. The award recognized Schwartz for her stellar contributions working as a young professional in the antiques industry. Tom Johnson, founder, president and CEO of Ruby Lane presented the award.

Young Gun of the Year Margaret Schwartz is flanked by Dan Darby of US Antique Shows, left, and Tom Johnson of Ruby Lane.

“Thank you to US Antique Shows and the judging panel for selecting me as the 2015 Antiques Young Gun of the Year in the USA,” said Schwartz. “This means so much to me both personally and professionally and I am truly honored by this award. I look forward to an exciting year getting to know other young guns and growing the program.”

Schwartz began her career working at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, which played a key role in inspiring and developing her passion for the home décor business. After four years, she left to open her own shop, The Summer House in New Canaan, Conn. Schwartz applies her signature styles and passion for home design to hand pick today’s best finds: upholstered furniture, fashionable jewelry, eye-catching lighting, exquisite rugs, fine art and more.

Schwartz received a prize package valued at $10,000. The prizes, with significant contributions from the Antiques Young Guns’ industry partners, vary from complimentary booth space at US Antique Shows events to free educational opportunities to advance trade knowledge.

Johnson also presented Bradbury Ketelhut, owner of Alpen Art & Antiques with the 2015 Ruby Lane Outstanding Achievement Award.

Bradbury Ketelhut is presented with the 2015 Ruby Lane Outstanding Achievement Award.

“It’s exciting to be involved in an organization that is promoting the art and antiques industry and collecting to the next generation. Having grown up in the business, I have witnessed firsthand the changes in it. The online, brick and mortar, and show communities need to focus on strategic partnerships in order to maximize capturing the attention of and growing the young collector base that will form the future of the business,” says Ketelhut.

Ketelhut started out dealing in early American furniture at the age of 18 with his dad, Robert Ketelhut. By his mid-20s, he became president of The Englishman Fine Art & Antiques operating galleries in Vail, Naples, Atlanta, and London, which he continued for 12 years. Today, Ketelhut is focused on building new galleries in Vail and Aspen and developing a strong online presence.

Rachel Hoffman, certified antiques appraiser and doll specialist at Turn of the Century Antiques, and Geoffrey Walsky, owner of Fairfield Co. Antique and Design Center, were also recognized at the press conference. They were named the two runners up for the Antiques Young Gun of the Year award.

Antiques Young Guns USA has more than 20 members and ten industry partners since its launch this past March. In the last nine months, Antiques Young Guns has created its own website and merchandise gallery for members, set up multiple social media platforms, organized its first networking event, and provided multiple opportunities for its members onsite at US Antique Shows events.

For additional information, www.antiquesyounggunsusa.com.