About Us | How We Work | FAQs | Glossary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is decorative painting?
Decorative painting is a diverse art form which includes a variety of techniques and media used to decorate surfaces, such as walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, etc. Some of these techniques are woodgraining, marbling, stenciling, and glazing, which involve using traditional media such as oil, casein, varnish or wax, as well as contemporary media such as acrylic, enamel, and japan paints, to name a few. While decorative painting has been practiced throughout human history and across cultures, the decorative painting we see practiced today is primarily rooted in the techniques of the Renaissance period when it flourished throughout Europe. For more detailed descriptions of techniques and decorative painting terms, please visit the Glossary section.

Why commission decorative painting?
Decorative painting creates a unique décor for your interior residence or commercial space. For example, one can create a feeling of spaciousness or brightness through scenery, such as landscape murals for your walls, or one can create rich style through painting surfaces that replicate rare woods or marbles.

How do I commission work?
We are pleased to discuss with you the scope and nature of your project in order to provide an estimate. Please contact us by phone or email. For projects in the New York-Connecticut metropolitan area, an appointment may be made to meet onsite. Work may be commissioned by sending a 50% deposit based on a written estimate provided. For further details, please visit the How We Work section.

What is the history of your company?
Christianson Lee Studios, incorporated in 1996, was originally founded as a partnership in 1987 by Nels Christianson and Eva Lee. Nels began in 1986 in New York City as a freelance decorative artist soon after completing his classical decorative arts training at the renowned Van der Kelen School of Decorative Arts in Brussels, Belgium. He was joined in 1987 by Eva who was trained in the fine arts.

Who are your clients?
Our clients include interior designers, decorators, architects, art consultants, and private individuals.

Where is your work done?
Most of our work is residential and on-site, while approximately one-quarter of it is studio oriented, such as mural, glass, or furniture work. A growing portion of our work is commercial, particularly in relation to large glass murals such as those commissioned by Cunard for the Queen Mary 2.

Who are your decorative painters?
Our team includes highly trained decorative painters and artists from diverse backgrounds. Many have received their training in the decorative arts, scenic or theatrical painting, interior architecture, and the fine arts. This diversity of talent enhances our adaptability and expands our stylistic repertoire so that we may produce both traditional and contemporary styles to suit your design needs.

What is verre églomisé?
Verre églomisé is the exquisite, ancient art of gilding and engraving detailed designs on the back side of glass. This produces a mirror-like, reflective result on the front side. The practice has its origins in antiquity, although we know it today largely through its popularization by a 19th century Parisian art dealer named Jean Baptiste Glomy, from whom the word églomisé is derived.

What is reverse painting?
Reverse painting, which has its origins in medieval Europe, is painting on the back side of glass. When the painting is complete, the back side is covered with protective coats of paint or paneling. The final result is to be seen from the front side only. It is called “reverse” because the artist paints backwards. The highlights and details must be painted first, contrary to painting on a regular surface in which the highlights and details are painted last. In addition, the imagery must be painted in its mirror image so that when one views the image on the front side of the glass, it appears as it was intended to be viewed.

What are antiqued mirrors?
Antiqued mirrors are new mirrors that are made to look old and partly deteriorated. Our unique method of hand-silvering and antiquing with spots and streaks produces mirrors that look authentically aged. This is available to the trade only.