Arlington, Virginia, I had the chance to take on a project that was inspired by historic Italian decor and bring that feel to a brand new space.

The locations this brand is known for usually feature antique, aged, and rustic, the kind of details that give a space its warmth and history. But Arlington had its own rules. The new stainless steel vent hood couldn’t be altered—it had to stay as-is for cleaning and safety purposes. The challenge? How to make something modern feel like it belonged in a space steeped in tradition.

The solution, the general contractor built a bulkhead and covered it with drywall that concealed the stainless steel vent hood became the perfect canvas. Using a mix of techniques and finishes, I recreated the look of aged, rusty metal. Every layer of paint and texture brought the surface to life, giving it the rich patina of something that had been there for decades.