During the remodel of Villa Tesori we looked for some personal touches to use. We met with one of the islands artists, Catherine Perry. After wandering through Villa Tesori with her, Catherine went to her car and returned with half a dozen artist's sketch books of her previous work. She walked us through how she integrates the desire of the client with her unique skill set.
She showed us previous projects from collaborative sketches to pictures of the completed project. Lisa and I looked at each other and simply said, Yes. Catherine, while an incredible talent was taken a aback. She insisted on hiring others to help, as our project would likely take a year. Lisa and I looked at each other, giggled, turned to Catherine and said in unision..."That's ok, we want your work. A year is fine."
Two things. One, Catherine is now one of our closest friends. Two, We have never seen her at such a loss for words since...We agreed to take delivery of the items as she finished a room. We started with the kitchen. The previous lights were the standard builders grade and Lisa and Catherine came up with a Flower/Island theme. I asked if we could integrate some turtles into the project as we view the turtle as the Villa Tesori mascot. Catherine drew a few sketches and we agreed.
On our next trip down, Catherine delivered the lights and we were amazed. Beautiful Lillies now hang from the kitchen in Villa Tesori. She even was able to make turtle sconces. Much to our surprise and enjoyment, she put turtles on the round sconces mounted to the ceiling...extra turtles!! Below are pictures previous lighting and the new items. Close up of the sconce.
She showed us previous projects from collaborative sketches to pictures of the completed project. Lisa and I looked at each other and simply said, Yes. Catherine, while an incredible talent was taken a aback. She insisted on hiring others to help, as our project would likely take a year. Lisa and I looked at each other, giggled, turned to Catherine and said in unision..."That's ok, we want your work. A year is fine."
Two things. One, Catherine is now one of our closest friends. Two, We have never seen her at such a loss for words since...We agreed to take delivery of the items as she finished a room. We started with the kitchen. The previous lights were the standard builders grade and Lisa and Catherine came up with a Flower/Island theme. I asked if we could integrate some turtles into the project as we view the turtle as the Villa Tesori mascot. Catherine drew a few sketches and we agreed.
On our next trip down, Catherine delivered the lights and we were amazed. Beautiful Lillies now hang from the kitchen in Villa Tesori. She even was able to make turtle sconces. Much to our surprise and enjoyment, she put turtles on the round sconces mounted to the ceiling...extra turtles!! Below are pictures previous lighting and the new items. Close up of the sconce.
Kitchen photo pre Catherine.
Catherine Perry lighting updates the kitchen in Villa Tesori.
Turtle sconce at Villa Tesori by Catherine Perry.
One of the many ceiling sconces at Villa Tesori by Catherine Perry. This turtle watches over the rotunda.
The kitchen was the first area updated with her work. From there we replaced a number of the boring ceiling sconces throughout the house. After all, one can never have too many turtles at Villa Tesori. To be honest, one needs to look directly up at them to be seen, could be a fun game to count all the turtles in our home.
The next area Catherine worked on was our outside Gazebo and pool deck. We had completely remodeled the gazebo and the previous lighting was literally bulbs hanging from rusty sockets. Below is a pic of the gazebo post remodel, but pre Catherine Perry lighting. And a couple after we installed her pieces.
The next area Catherine worked on was our outside Gazebo and pool deck. We had completely remodeled the gazebo and the previous lighting was literally bulbs hanging from rusty sockets. Below is a pic of the gazebo post remodel, but pre Catherine Perry lighting. And a couple after we installed her pieces.
Gazebo sconce by Catherine Perry at Villa Tesori
Hanging light at Villa Tesori by Catherine Perry.
Center light at the gazebo of Villa Tesori, by Catherine Perry.
Now a picture of these items installed.
We were amazed on how well the gazebo turned out and were looking forward to seeing what Catherine would come up with for the pool deck lighting. Lisa and Catherine discussed having the new lights reflect things local to St. John and add a bit of whimsey to the pool deck as well. We were very excited to receive them. Couple of pictures of them and a photo putting in perspective where they are.
Hummingbird pool sconce at Villa Tesori, by Catherine Perry.
Palm tree sconce on the pool deck of Villa Tesori, by Catherine Perry
Flower sconce on the pool deck of Villa Tesori, by Catherine Perry.
Eagle Ray sconce on the pool deck of Villa Tesori, by Catherine Perry.
Fun in the sun sconce on the pool deck of Villa Tesori, by Catherine Perry.
Tree frog "Coqui" sconce on the pool deck of Villa Tesori, buy Catherine Perry.
Turtle sconce on the pool deck of Villa Tesori, by Catherine Perry.
The next project we came up with was to turn the stairway leading to the second floor into a garden. Having the sconces on the wall that are flowers. The previous lights were standard sconces, but had an interesting feature that the shades were held upright in a mount. We discussed having new shades made to look like flowers. This required that the holes on the bottom be the correct size as they needed to fit over the existing fixture.
The flower lights which are currently lining the stairway leading up at Villa Tesori. By Catherine Perry.
The lights are in, but the project is not quite complete. We will add pictures of this project when it is finished.
Having known Catherine for well over a year at this point, I asked her if she would make a vase for my wife. Our anniversary was during our next trip and I wanted to surprise my wife with something unique and special. Catherine at this point was a dear friend and said she knew just what to do. This is what Lisa got on our trip in December. A mermaid vase.
Having known Catherine for well over a year at this point, I asked her if she would make a vase for my wife. Our anniversary was during our next trip and I wanted to surprise my wife with something unique and special. Catherine at this point was a dear friend and said she knew just what to do. This is what Lisa got on our trip in December. A mermaid vase.
A friend of ours had this piece commissioned and shipped to him. His wife loves dragonfly's.
During our trip in December, Catherine showed us a project she was working on for one of the art shows. We Knew she had talent, but this piece showed a depth of soul and emotional weight that was overwhelming.
She had made an old St. John style burial urn. It reflects the life of a slave on St. John. The average life of a slave during the heyday of the sugar plantations were measured in months. The urn had a number of scenes of life for the slaves from arrival to death. It was a very spiritual and moving piece. At the top Catherine had Jumbies leading the slaves from one step to the next on their journey. Jumbies are an important part of island culture and their addition shows a level of understanding and caring for the locals that is reflective of who Catherine is.
She had made an old St. John style burial urn. It reflects the life of a slave on St. John. The average life of a slave during the heyday of the sugar plantations were measured in months. The urn had a number of scenes of life for the slaves from arrival to death. It was a very spiritual and moving piece. At the top Catherine had Jumbies leading the slaves from one step to the next on their journey. Jumbies are an important part of island culture and their addition shows a level of understanding and caring for the locals that is reflective of who Catherine is.
Old style burial urn from St. John by Catherine Perry.
Catherine Perry with an old St. John style burial urn.
Catherine is an amazing artist of skill and scope. She has shown us beautiful lighting inside of Villa Tesori. Followed up by the whimsey and fun on the pool deck and gazebo. The beautiful vase she made for Lisa reflects an understanding of who Lisa is. This was followed by the burial urn, an incredibly spiritual piece which took our breath away. She does have many shades, and we are blessed to have seen them.
If you would like a very unique piece of art to remember your time on St. John, consider meeting with Catherine. She does ship her work.
Catherine has a studio, but it is by appointment only.
http://www.artofopenarms.com
Phone: 340-715-3001
RSS Feed
