Opening a window on the acclaimed artistry of Upstate gem Sarkis Studio
Old-world artistry meets elevated, contemporary design in the work of Sarkis Chorbadjian, owner of Sarkis Studio. Step inside his sprawling, sunny studio on Poinsett Highway, walls lined with vibrant paintings and floors shining with scraps of gold leaf, and it is easy to see what makes this internationally acclaimed studio a hidden gem of Greenville.
“We have many models and different styles, and designers can choose whatever color or finish they need,” says Chorbadjian, gesturing to his celebrated drapery hardware. “From just the rod to the whole outfit, they can change anything they want to change.” And the variety of hand-carved finials and finishings—which start as wood before being cast as resin—are truly astounding, from small and understated to grand and ornate. Every detail of the wood grain exudes warmth and intention.
“Everything is done by hand. These are my 3D printers,” Chorbadjian laughs, holding up his hands. “When you make something with a computer, everything is so uniform and rigid. Whereas this, as a result, looks older—more antique. This look fits more naturally into interiors that have antiques in them.”
Hand Crafted Drapery at Sarkis Studio
You’ll never catch Chorbadjian bragging about it, but his stately drapery, handcrafted frames, and other creations can be found in interiors just down the street all the way to prominent homes such as The White House and those owned by celebrities. Recently Chorbadjian sent his work to be included in the home of designer Tommy Hilfiger. However, they all start here: with a silicone mold in his shop. “Every model out there has a mold in here,” says the prolific artist and painter. “We can modify whatever we have. If you want something specific, and it’s going to an important place, we can always make a new one. We’ve done that many times.”
Originally from the island of Cyprus, Chorbadjian has lived in Greenville since 1978, and in 1986 he established Sarkis Studio, primarily working with interior designers on faux finishes, framing, and restorations. He began carving drapery hardware in 1992 and recently expanded his product offerings to include custom-crafted leather finishes—a rare and striking portfolio you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the United States, and one with a rich history.
“My grandfather was a tailor, and so the stitching comes from that, and my father was in the leather business. Here, I’ve combined the two in what I do,” reflects Chorbadjian, who also collaborates with his son, a metalsmith, to add ornamental ironwork to his portfolio of both drapery and dining tables. “We make the brackets, the rings, even the traverse systems. We do the painting and gold and silver leafing here. These are old-world methods, but the result is a contemporary work of art.”
Saving The Planet, Scale by Scale
“I have loved fish ever since I was a boy swimming with them in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Cyprus,” says Chorbadjian. “I was fascinated by their color, shape, the way they shimmered, and the shadows they cast against ancient ruins under the sea. It was beautiful, sometimes scary, but always mesmerizing.” His fish sculptures are released in “schools” of three, and look best when displayed in a group.
“The fish are made using recycled ends of drapery rods we cut. Instead of throwing them out, we repurpose the material. Nothing is wasted—instead, I carve something beautiful out of them,” adds Chorbadjian, who has also launched a Save the Planet series of whale sculptures, cast out of excess resin from the drapery hardware, over time, giving the final project rings like you’d see on a tree—all before being hard-carved and painted as well. “Each one is different. Instead of going into a landfill, it becomes a beautiful object.”
1108 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville, 864.232.8157, sarkisstudio.com
