Jim Vilona at Element Home
For the debut of our new department, Artist in Residence, we sat down with ELEMENT Home Cherry Creek owner Robert Zimmerman and Berthoud, Colorado, artist Jim Vilona to learn all about this spectacular partnership between two brands that Cherry Greek North is privileged to call part of its family.
JIM VILONA
* ELEMENT Home represents over 40 lines of home furnishings as well as original fine art from 25 local and nationally renowned artists – not big box/chain store furniture or decorative art. Most of the furniture is made to order with limitless custom options, while offering design services to create a very personalized plan for each client.
ROBBERT ZIMMERMAN
Robert, what is it about Jim’s work that you like so much? Why is his work such a good fit with ELEMENT Home?
Jim brings something incredibly special to the world of home fashion. I have always strived to find the most extraordinary and unique pieces for my clients. In combination with Mother Nature’s most beautiful work, Jim’s presentation of his metal mastery makes for the most mind-blowing sculptures, tables and lighting. His work elevates the beauty of my showroom and brings excitement to all. In addition, Jim’s personality is electric. He dazzles all that he meets. This is what ELEMENT Home is all about.
Jim, where do you get your inspiration from?
The agates, petrified wood and crystals are the record keepers of our planet through the millions of years it has taken for the earth to create each piece, and it’s my honor to create artwork with them, and combine these naturally occurring materials. I hand make what is possible in the urban world, a balance between organic shapes and the hand-made artistry of metalwork that gives them life.
I utilize what nature has grown in its deepest and most sincere efforts. I have the privilege of utilizing the earths’ gifts to create pieces of art for personal and corporate collections through ELEMENT Home in Cherry Creek North.
Once each piece begins, the unique characteristics of material that interact together with the specific steel that I use, the textures I create that interweave the story of the stone with the metal, create a finished work of art that tells its own story.
Jim, what has the partnership with Robert done for you?
It’s a rare and beautiful thing to have built a relationship in which you can create beautiful and amazing things and have a collaborative partner who has the same intentions.
Robert, what has the partnership done for you?
This partnership has taught me how to reach for the stars. Each piece is more fabulous than the last, and this is what my clients go crazy for. In fact, I have had bidding wars over some of his pieces. I’ve never seen anything like it. The clients’ reactions are always exciting and I love seeing the joy it brings to them.
Do you two work together on project creation or does Jim have free rein do whatever he wants for ELEMENT Home?
We quite often work on projects or creations together. I love visiting his studio and workshop to hand pick the most spectacular stones and help create the presentation. Jim goes to great lengths to take our plans into orbit. However, Jim’s creative mind alone is simply brilliant. I am literally brought to tears when he presents his new work, especially when he installed everything in my new Cherry Creek North showroom. He makes spectacular chandeliers, crystal floor lights and unbelievable tables. Words cannot describe my appreciation and amazement for all that he did.
How long has this partnership been going on? How did it all start?
It’s been nearly five years now. I had originally met Jim through his lovely wife, Cheri. She is an amazing artist, and I love representing her beautiful paintings. They have this wonderful ranch up in Berthoud with multiple studios and workshops and visiting them is such a sensory overload, especially with such a lovely mountain view. Their son Dylan is also a brilliant artist. It’s such a talented family! Most importantly, I consider Jim and Cheri to be two of my dearest friends. I cherish our relationship.
Robert, do you have a favorite piece of furniture or lighting fixture that Jim has produced over the years?
Most of the agate slab tables are beyond incredible. I love learning and then sharing the history and provenance. However, one of my favorite projects was collaborating with Jim on a client’s three story cascading spiraling onyx chandelier. It was absolutely awe inspiring!
Jim, what goes into putting together a project from start to finish and how long does it normally take to complete?
Each customer project is an opportunity to utilize my imagination and training to fulfill their interests and create a unique piece for their home. We spend much time getting a clear idea of what is being asked, and we have many pieces of carefully hand-selected natural material that will work in the client’s project. Careful sketches are done, and metal and finishes and textures decided upon, and then the work and creation in my studio begins! Each piece could be weeks or months to completion, depending on multiple levels of details. The goal is a finished piece the client is over the moon about receiving!