| The Schoolhouse Artisan | |
| Pavel Yarovenko | |
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The Ukraine may be an unlikely starting point for the man who has
carved a niche into Wine Country as a master at restoration and
decoration, and whose work can now be seen in fine homes throughout
the area. Pavel Yarovenko's education is a model of dedication,
discipline and talent, with years of intense training in the then-Soviet
Union. After graduation he spent the next two years in Russia restoring
six important icons. The restoration of one icon in a lifetime is
the average. Following this, he was chosen to head up an enormous project, a
sprawling estate of the Tarnovkys where over a hundred artisans
worked under his supervision. But politics proved even more dominant,
so in 1991 he brought his prodigious talents and energy to Northern
California, where he remains, working on a wide range of projects,
including the Rothwell's Silverado
Trail schoolhouse. "We had wainscoting around the living room and a brick fireplace
in the center, none of which looked Country French. So, crowbar
and sledgehammer in hand Pasha [Pavel] annihilated what I thought
would be with us forever," said George Rothwell. "Pasha involved us in the decision making, talking about how
each element would affect the total look. It was quite an education,"
he recalled. "We watched him create our fireplace molding in
the driveway and chisel out the wood mantel and hearth, peppering
the wood with wood worm holes and appropriate worn areas where a
foot might have rubbed. It looked 200 years old when he was finished.
He can make it look older, I just need more time, Pasha announced
one day as he worked." When it came to the more private spaces, the Rothwells were equally
pleased with the results. "Our bedroom is now a special place
where George can do his paperwork or practice his trumpet while
I am close by doing yoga or taking a leisurely bath. The space keeps
us connected." Just one more example of the skills of this
talented man. Pasha can be contacted through Antique Fair. Antique Fair |
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