Designer Spotlight: Jennifer Cerchiai Design
Meet Jennifer Cerchiai, interior designer (www.jcd-sf.com), art aficionado and avid furniture revitaleur. We've partnered with Jen on various projects and love her sophisticated, accessible style. Read on to learn about this designer's thoughtful approach to interiors and our most recent collaboration.
What's your style?
Traditionalist with a modern bent and a warm sophistication that embraces new and incorporates old. I aim to create spaces that are welcoming, cozy and beautiful with elements of interest and surprise.
Why revitalize versus buy new?
I love the character and history that heirloom and vintage pieces lend a space. There’s nothing more meaningful in a room than a piece with a story--I have yet to revitalize a piece that doesn’t have a great tale waiting to be told!
What do you look for when sourcing pieces you can revitalize?
I love pieces with interesting lines and unique details such as the scalloped love seat I recently reupholstered. The scalloped, channeled seat back and the beautifully carved legs immediately caught my attention. And it was the perfect size for the room I was designing!
Where did you find that fabulous love seat?
I found it at the Alameda Point antique market; the seller had purchased it at the estate sale of a stately home in Santa Barbara. I bought it late in the afternoon so I got a fantastic price. Everyone had walked right past it all day - presumably because they got distracted by that tapestry fabric!
How did you revitalize it?
The love seat simply needed a fresh fabric. It had been reupholstered recently so the foam and down-wrapped seat cushion were like new. I opted to not refinish the legs; I liked their current patina, a nod to their history. The love seat is for a teenage girl’s bedroom and sits in a bay window with lots of sun exposure so I needed a fabric that would stand up to these two destructive forces! I love Perennials line of velvets - stain resistant with a nice “hand” (the feel of the fabric) and modern, neutral colors.
What is your favorite fabric?
I adore textiles - it's hard to choose just one! But my longtime favorites are Clarence House, Nobilis, Zinc Textiles and Designers Guild.
Favorite revitalization project ever?
My husband’s grandfather, who emigrated from Italy, had an extraordinary Venetian mirror stored for decades in nothing more than a thin layer of tissue paper. After a big downsizing, the mirror was dump-bound when I luckily rescued it. We had it restored and It’s absolutely exquisite! The craftsmanship is from a different era and it’s one of the most precious pieces in my home.
A few more fabulous restored and reupholstered pieces from Jennifer Cerchiai Design
