I’m incredibly honored to see the restoration work at The Bellevue Hotel recognized by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia this year as well!
Working as a decorative arts specialist under subcontract through Bird Studio, I spent months recreating the historic scagliola columns by hand within the hotel’s iconic interiors. The work involved carefully studying the original surfaces and rebuilding the finish to match the depth, veining, coloration, visual flow, and luminosity characteristic of historic scagliola.
Scagliola has a long history within grand architectural interiors, prized for its ability to imitate richly veined marble through hand-crafted plasterwork and layered color. Unlike stone, every surface is shaped directly by the artisan’s hand, making each column unique in translucency, character, and surface variation. Recreating historic scagliola today requires preserving not only the appearance of the material, but also the spirit of the craftsmanship behind it.
Projects like this remind me why I care so deeply about preservation and decorative arts. So much of this work happens quietly behind scaffolding, covered in plaster dust, focused on details most people may never consciously notice, yet those details are what allow historic spaces to retain their beauty, richness, and sense of history.
I’m grateful to have contributed my hands and skills to the restoration of one of Philly's great historic landmarks, and thankful to everyone involved in preserving these extraordinary spaces for future generations.

At Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia’s 2026 Preservation Achievement Awards, Founders Hall at Girard College was honored with a Grand Jury Award recognizing outstanding achievement in historic preservation. Preservation & Decorative Arts is deeply honored to have been part of the project team entrusted with the conservation of this extraordinary National Historic Landmark.
Designed by Thomas U. Walter and completed in 1847, Founders Hall is considered one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States. The building holds immense architectural and cultural significance within Philadelphia and the broader history of American preservation.
The award recognizes a collaborative effort between Girard College, Preservation & Decorative Arts, Johnson & Griffiths, and Hutec Engineering to preserve and revitalize the historic structure while supporting its continued use for education, community gatherings, and public engagement.
For Preservation & Decorative Arts, this project represented far more than conservation treatment alone. Our work focused on the stabilization, cleaning, conservation, and aesthetic reintegration of historic painted plaster ceilings and architectural finishes throughout Founders Hall. Every decision was approached with care for the original craftsmanship, historic material integrity, and the long-term stewardship of the building.
Historic spaces like Founders Hall carry generations of human history within their surfaces. Layers of paint, wear, repairs, and aging all become part of a building’s story. Conservation work asks us to balance preservation with continued life and use. It requires technical precision, historical understanding, and respect for the artisans and caretakers who came before us.
One of the most meaningful aspects of this project was seeing the building actively inhabited while the work took place. Students, staff, alumni, and visitors continued to move through the space daily, reinforcing the idea that preservation is not about freezing buildings in time. It is about ensuring they remain alive and relevant for future generations.
We are incredibly grateful to Girard College for their commitment to preservation and stewardship of this remarkable landmark. We also want to thank the many craftspeople, conservators, engineers, administrators, and project partners whose expertise made this work possible.
To receive recognition from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia alongside so many inspiring preservation projects across the region is truly meaningful. Philadelphia’s architectural history is one of its greatest cultural assets, and it is an honor to contribute to the ongoing care of these spaces.
Projects like Founders Hall remind us why preservation matters. Historic buildings connect communities to memory, craftsmanship, identity, and place. Through thoughtful conservation, these environments continue to educate, inspire, and serve the public for generations to come.
Learn more about the awards and the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia here: Preservation Achievement Awards
You can also learn more about Girard College and the history of Founders Hall.

Conservation work on the historic frescoes at Penn State University’s Old Main was carried out in collaboration with conservator John Rita of Albert Michaels, with treatment focused on stabilizing original materials, addressing areas of deterioration, and preserving the integrity of the murals while maintaining their historic character. The frescoes were painted in the 1940s by American artist Henry Varnum Poor and were created to reflect Penn State’s identity and mission as a land grant university through scenes of education, agriculture, and industry.

​Philadelphia is buzzing this week with the opening of Borromini, Stephen Starr’s new two-story Italian trattoria on Rittenhouse Square. The restaurant, set in the former Barnes & Noble space, is one of Starr’s most ambitious projects in nearly 2o years.
For me, it’s especially exciting because I had the chance to be part of its creation. Subcontracted for Bird Studio, I helped bring Zach and the restaurant’s monumental fresco mural design to life. It was an incredible experience painting for a space that combines architecture, art, and food on such a grand scale and getting to develop a way to paint fresco murals on canvas.
The finished mural spans the sweeping staircase and sets the tone for the entire restaurant,  a blend of historic inspiration and contemporary energy. Seeing it in place during the opening, paired with Borromini’s vaulted ceilings, mosaic details, and dramatic interior design, was unforgettable. 
I’m proud to have contributed my craft to a space that’s already shaping up to be a landmark in Philadelphia dining. And the 100 layer lasagna was outstanding!
Read more about the restaurant’s opening and Starr’s vision in this Inquirer feature.