Awe inspiring and atmospheric, Brooklyn-based SARKOS paints their wall coverings entirely by hand. Founder Stephanie Dedes Reimers shares the story of how her collection came to be.
HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME INTERESTED IN CREATING WALL COVERINGS
I cherish the time in my studio! Before making wallpaper I was painting on-site murals/decorative work for a host of different commercial clients as well as other artists; I had a few designs I was keeping in my back pocket for special projects to come along, and when showing these to a favorite design team, they informed me that they only hired me for commercial work because their residential clients want their walls installed in 3 days, not 3 months. The light bulb went off, I sparked up and thought, "I don't love being in peoples home with all my supplies for months on end... I love being in my studio. Wallpaper!" And it then quickly moved to the very much fun part of figuring out how to actually do it!
HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO TAKE THE LEAP INTO ENTREPRENEURSHIP?
I have worked, partially then fully, supporting myself as a painter/drawer since becoming an adult a very long time ago.. so taking the leap to start SARKOS was only a question between Adam and I, and the timing of it all - with the backdrop of ancient city dust in the air and the end of the island of Crete, we came quite quickly and excitedly to it! Both Adam and I began working at a young age and share a 'hard work = good work = satisfaction' sensibility. Adam also owns and runs a very successful design and build business, Brooklyn Fabrication. Working for ourselves is what we do!
WHERE DID THE SARKOS NAME ORIGINATE?
Greece! I love Greece. It's really where I want to be so much of the time... And since joining me there, Adam feels the same. Sarkos is an ancient greek word that translates to the tactile sense of our human and earthly spirit. It is the physical embodiment of our spiritual beings. It is our soul, but also of this world. And this is a sense of what we are looking to create on our walls - a space where one can get lost, while at the same time, feel a sense of wonder- and contentment.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE HAND PAINTING PROCESS?
Literally, pushing (and pulling..) paint around is one of my favorite moments in life. It has an immediate effect in color on the world, and it requires a completely present state of mind and this I love.
IS THERE A COLOR PALETTE YOU FEEL DRAWN TO LATELY?
Oh, well.. we have a new daughter and her eyes are bright blue like Adam's, and I'll be honest and say that I can't get the color out of my mind. Everyone thinks she's a boy because I incessantly dress her in blue, and I'm wearing the color a bit more myself as well.. (ha! yikes!) And then to follow of course... some blue paint mixtures for a new collection we're working on...Hint: Icy sky blue... literally!
WE KNOW ITS HARD TO CHOOSE A FAVORITE, IS THERE A PARTICULAR DESIGN OR COLLECTION YOU FEEL ESPECIALLY PROUD OF?
Yes, we love all of our design babies! But... Our COSMOS collection has undoubtedly been the front runner, attention grabber and that makes us happy.
WHAT'S COMING NEXT?
More wallpaper! It's been a crazy year with our first babe being born on top of many other giant life situations, so we are a little slow getting finished with new things, but we are happily getting to them nonetheless... And we are very excited!