Educated Eye

EDUCATED EYE LUXURIOUS LACQUER

Ancient cultures refi ned the technique of lacquering, but today’s homes continue to value the high-gloss fi nish for its powerful punch of color, drama and durability

Written by SUZANNA CULLEN HAMILTON

top White lacquered walls add glamour to a dining room by Suzanne Kasler. left In a library by Cathy Austin, shimmering gray walls delight. opposite, clockwise A red vanity shines in a powder room by Barbara Westbrook. Black-lacquer walls are a bold backdrop in a dining room by Beth Webb. Heather Dewberry echoed a mountain home’s surrounding woods with a custom emerald green lacquer fi nish. ORIGINS Sanskrit tablets reveal that the technique of lacquering was created 3,500 years ago in India. From there, it spread to Asia where the technique was refi ned on a myriad of products ranging from furniture to trays to screens to boxes to jewelry. The process was adapted in France, Spain, the Netherlands and England where it was frequently referred to as “japanning ”due to the process of imitating the Asian application.

The process of lacquering is enormously detailed and time consuming. It involves applying layer upon layer of extremely thin shellac that is very gently sanded between layers so that the end result is a fi nish that is many layers thick, but as smooth as a glass plate.

MODERN APPLICATIONS Today, lacquer is most frequently associated with the process of painting ceilings, walls and cabinetry in layers of high-gloss enamel. Whether on a kitchen island or the cabinets, lacquer is very durable in the highly traffi cked area. Additionally, the high-gloss fi nish provides exceptional depth of color, so it’s popular in home libraries, offi ces, dens, wet bars, powder rooms and other areas where signifi cant impact can be made with a powerful punch of drama.

TIPS FROM THE TRADE Atlanta designer Anna Braund offers the following advice when injecting a lacquered fi nish into today’s homes: Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles: What questions do you need to ask an artisan or painter before hiring someone to create a lacquer fi nish? Anna Braund: The preparation is as important as the artistry when applying the lacquer. Any surface must be fi nely sanded and prepared to accept the layers of high gloss. It’s important to query any artisan about the full process to ensure proper preparation and application. AH&L: What’s your favorite area of the home to use a lacquer fi nish and why? Braund: I love to lacquer ceilings because the process immediately elevates the formality of a space and the fi nish is further enhanced by natural light, thereby resulting in a total effect of subtle sophistication. Whether day or night, rooms with lacquered ceilings glow. AH&L: Do certain colors resonate better in lacquer than others, and if so, why? Braund: With proper lighting, all elements will be enhanced; however, irrespective of how light or dark the color is, cleaner colors gain refl ection.

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A celebration of food and culture, modern

Israeli restaurant AZIZA is the fi rst of its kind

in Atlanta’s already diverse dining market. The menu—designed around small plates to pay homage to the Israeli tradition of sharing— combines indulgent proteins, locally sourced vegetables and spice medleys for an array of fl avor-packed dishes, such as the Hummus no.1 with braised oxtail and apricots. And with Aziza meaning “happiness” in Arabic, guests can guarantee they’ll leave with their spirits—and appetites—satisfi ed. aziza-restaurant.com