SH: Do you work in a sustainable way? Explain.
Many of our products are totally “green,” and we are well versed on green alternatives for all our finishes. The plaster and lime-wash materials we use for both interior and exterior applications are all-natural, lime-based products which can be tinted with “from-the-earth” pigments.
An array of low VOC paints and stains are available now that can be used for base coats and glaze applications. The crusty old finishes we apply many times are made from cottage cheese and beer!
SH: What part of the process excites you most?
I love initial walk-throughs for a new project. Seeing the home for the first time and understanding how the client lives and how they want their home to feel is one of my favorite parts.
I enjoy coming up with new techniques that are perfect for a space: Giving my client something no one else has! Collaborating with my artisans and seeing them develop something new.
SH: What do you regard as your greatest success in your career to date?
Creating new finishes, writing articles, publishing books, writing a blog, and curating an art gallery and boutique are all inspiring challenges I am grateful to have had the opportunity to accept.
I feel that developing people and providing an opportunity for them to excel and provide for their families is my greatest success. Managing people is a challenge for me, no doubt, and an humbling experience for sure.
SH: Of all of the projects you’ve finished, which is your favorite and why?
That’s a tough one. When we finish a job, I always say, “I love that! Where can I put that in my home?” My staff always jokes, “Leslie, you have no surfaces left!”
What I like about finishes is that they not only transform a space but they also act as problem solvers. When going over new plans or walking through an existing home, I look at the architecture, floor plans, ceiling heights, molding details, and cabinetry.
Finishes can accentuate good architecture and downplay areas that are less desirable. They can detract from color tones that are not the homeowners’ favorite, and add detail to the right elements.
If I had to choose, recently I met with a client who is considering a major remodel. One thing she doesn’t like about her home is that her exterior stone has a lot of variation in tones.
She had received bids to replace the stone. Instead we applied a thin lime wash over the stone, tonally changing its appearance while allowing it to still look like natural stone—something that paint cannot accomplish. It was completed for a fraction of the cost of replacement.
I am so fortunate to be in so many beautiful homes, and lucky to say that I have new favorites each week!
