Portrait by Matt Rose
The ’80s and ’90s saw a domestic-painting craze. Walls were sponged, ragged, and stenciled in abundance. Initially a way to beautify the domains of the wealthy, faux finishing trickled down to books and tutorials — a harbinger, perhaps, of today’s DIY movement. Eventually, en masse, homeowners started making their walls mimic those of a warm Tuscan farmhouse or chic atelier.
But this medium has evolved considerably, according to Chris Barron, owner of Sundance Interiors. Trickier aspects of it, such as Trompe-l’oeil — the art of painting optical illusions — always require professional skill.
“Faux has been on fire many times. Then there’s typically a lull, but it always comes back,” he says. “The recent resurgence is defined by fewer rules and more room for personal taste.”
Barron enjoys a highly respected reputation as an artist, and his trademark work adorns walls, ceilings, doors, mantels, furniture, and cabinetry in many area homes, and commercial projects including the mural at Hands On! Children’s Museum. He’s learned a thing or two-dozen about the practical methods behind magical transformations.
Did you attend an academic program to learn this exacting work?
No, actually. At 15, I was invited to go to the North Carolina School for the Arts and graduated with a degree in fine art at 18. I ended up doing art shows around Hendersonville. At one point, I was so broke I had a sidewalk art show and was down to selling portfolio pieces. A guy from New York approached me and asked me if I’d like to become a decorative faux-finishing apprentice. I did that for six years, and learned obscure techniques like plaster casting to fabricate moulding that’s no longer in production.
What did Sundance’s beginnings look like?
I went out on my own and worked out of my mom’s garage for three years. She kindly co-signed on my first business credit card, with a $300 limit. … Now our clientele is 60 percent decorators and designers, about 20 percent high-end builders, and the remainder are our wonderful repeat clients. I love building trust with clients, but it can sometimes be a slippery slope — artists are known to have ego and vision, and our clients have their intentions and plans. When these jell, it’s fantastic.
Sponged living rooms and faux-marble-topped tables were ubiquitous in the ’90s. How has this art form evolved within the last decade?
We still execute interesting finishes, but not the sponging and stenciling so much. Most projects require lending dimension and texture to surfaces. We can make a wall look like old, uneven Venetian plaster with a “skip trowel,” or make plaster with ground limestone, which looks contemporary. We use gold and silver leaf, glazing, and antiquing to give surfaces character. What’s popular changes quickly, but lately we’ve been getting requests for silvers, pewters, and barn-wood grays; four years ago, it was [still] Tuscany, Tuscany, Tuscany. It used to be dangerous work, too …
The chemistry of the substances we work with has become much less toxic. “Green” products are now the norm. We’re more comfortable because there’s less need to wear cumbersome, hot respirators.
Any recent interesting projects?
We partnered with a professional peer to create the country’s largest American flag: it’s 75’ X 35’, and painted on Grove Stone & Sand quarry’s giant rock crusher in Black Mountain. The surface was anything but flat — a series of huge I-beams with bolts — and a challenge! We outlined the image with a laser. The result’s dramatic — when you look at it, you see Mt. Mitchell in the distance. We also painted the Legacy Paddlesports building in Fletcher, a 600-plus-gallon job. We chose eight or nine bold primary colors from their product line to coat each section of the factory/offices.
Any side gigs?
My wife and I are restoring an amazing house, the Singley Estate, a Spanish-style Sears-Roebuck mail-order house on Kensington Road. Really special.
You’re busy, with two young daughters — what’s a favorite family hobby?
We’re currently bringing a vintage Airstream camper back to life. It will be roadworthy soon and we plan to travel around this summer. We added cool finishes, and it’s been fun — a good way to spend what little free time we have.
Chris Barron, Sundance Interiors, 1832 Upper Ridgewood Blvd., Hendersonville. For more information, call 828-674-8355 or see sundanceinteriorsonline.com.