In 2013, as part of a large international team, I had the pleasure to contribute to the decoration of the new Opera & Theatre of Nursultan (then Astana). My responsibilities included designing ornaments, gold-leaf gilding, stucco marquetry and the painting of a ceiling mural. Kazakhstan, 2013.
Autumn Leaves
At the Peninsula Hotel, Paris. The entrance lobby was entirely overhauled and restored, including this frieze running all around the cornice. Paris, 2015.
Copper Leaf in Paris In this classic Parisian apartment, copper leaf was used as a thread unifying the decoration scheme throughout the flat, from the mirrors over both fireplaces to the ceiling of the entrance hall and kitchen, to the beautiful old stove given a contemporary twist. Copper leaf is more innovative than gold, and reflects light, adding a warm glow. Design and execution, MG Decor, 2016.
Aquarelle
This children's bedroom is shared by a brother and sister. The style therefore had to please both a boy and a girl, and be subdued enough that they do not grow tired of it too quickly. It was done entirely with watercolour over a new wallpaper, which acted like watercolour paper. One of many advantages is that watercolour is emissions-free and eco-friendly. It also keeps its translucent yet vibrant colours very well over time. Berlin, Charlottenburg, 2020
Ferns With only one paint colour, water, and some inspiration, this uneventful corridor was turned into something fresh and outdoorsy, that looks towards the Arts & Crafts interiors. The tender green sets off the warm wood, while the fronds visually shorten the long left wall. April 2020.
Biererei Bar
This mural adorns the wall of a connoisseur's beer bar in Kreuzberg. While matching the colour scheme of the bar, it also suggests factory posters from the 1920's. It represents the brewing process, ingredients, and machinery and ends, of course, with a toast. Berlin Kreuzberg, 2018.
Customized trainers
Those classic white Adidas trainers were customized for the Skjerven Racing team, for the 2019 edition of the Gumball Rallye. The design had to match that of the car, using neon colours. Each pair was customized with the team member's name, team name, year, and start and end points. The design was so successful that other participants and members of the public wanted to buy them off the Skjerven team!
Beautique Palm Lounge
An ongoing project, also in collaboration with Skjerven Group, Beautique is a high quality residential block, featuring a private lounge open to all residents. The jewel tones and gold colour scheme is enhanced by two large murals and detailing such as gold shimmer on textured walls. Berlin Charlottenburg, 2019-2020.
Metropolis Lounge in upmarket apartment complex, Berlin - Charlottenburg. In keeping with the contemporary but luxurious feel of this spacious, luminous lounge space, the gold geometric shapes, loosely inspired from a Metropolis poster, set off the deep jewel blue of the wall. The two colours are carried through the entire decoration scheme, as seen on the close-up of the textured columns. More to come from this ongoing project. Client: A-state Immobilien. 2019-2020.
Ku'Damm Head Office & 32 Skjerven Group, Berlin. Both office floors have been redecorated, using a variety of finishes. A dark tobacco marble in the CEO's office. Imitation concrete wall panels, two slogan walls and an antique gold column in the open plan lounge and small reunion room. 2019
Da Vinci fresco
Bedroom, residential home, France. The aim was to use classical drawings (sketches by Leonardo Da Vinci) reflecting the house owners’ interests, albeit in a contemporary manner. The use of watercolour and pencil allowed for a varied but soft colour scheme. 2015
Berlin Skyline
Commercial project for the Century 21 Berlin City Center agency. Fresco representing Berlin landmarks in the style of the murals near Alexander Platz. Rendering and acrylic paint. 2015
Summer Sky & Pirate’s Den
Sky and clouds painted with acrylics directly over the wall.
The pirate’s den is a collaboration with carpenter Julien Rousselle, who built the structure around a single bed. The wood was then stained to imitate the effect of seawater, and decorated with the pirate’s best friends: a parrot and a skull! Private client, Berlin, May 2016
New York Cityscape
For a teenager who lives in Berlin but is eager to travel, this black marker pen cityscape drawn directly on the wall provides another horizon. Private client, Berlin, June 2016.
Geometry
To liven up the decoration of the TOP Radio Vermarktung group’s offices, three rooms (Live Performance Auditorium, Staff’s Lounge and Meeting Room) and the corridor that links them had their ceilings sprinkled with a flowing, dynamic triangle pattern, positioned to lead the eye from one part of the offices to another. Berlin, September 2016
A collaboration with HELL Architekten
Das Baumhaus
Das Baumhaus is a communal space based in the Wedding district of Berlin, built and decorated from salvaged and eco-friendly materials. The decoration phase is far from over, and many more photos will appear in the coming weeks.
For now: mosaic and paint join forces to create this stunning mural, representing roots and soil. Mosaics from reclaimed tiles and ceramic objects, textured mineral paint tinted with pigments.
A collaboration with Nina Brachmann.
Berlin, September 2016.
Winter Palace
Private manor, Austria. Corridor decorated in the style of a gallery in the Winter Palace in St Petersburg. Elemnts of decoration involve faux marble, stucco, classical ornamentation and trompe l’oeil. Ongoing. Project led by decorator Alfonso Orombelli:
