Erik Kramvik grew up in the Midwest where he studied architecture at the University of Minnesota. His love of architectural history soon led him on the first of many trips abroad to explore the world’s architectural monuments at first hand. After a long trip around the world in 1978, he returned to San Francisco and started a business restoring facades of ruined Victorians. He soon met other individuals involved in the Victorian Revival movement. In early 1982 he worked with painter Bruce Nelson, colorist Jill Pilaroscia, and plaster maker Keith Tartler on the first collaboration of artisans that would join together later that year to found Artistic License. He soon gave up the carpentry side of business and devoted his skills to designing the restoration and rehabilitation of period buildings, including both local and National Register landmarks. In addition, his love of photography resulted in an enormous collection of images of world architecture that has provided the basis of many lectures about the history of architecture. He has been a member of Artistic License for the past 38 years and a resident of his beloved San Francisco for 48 years.
Detail of columned portico of a new Palladian style addition to an Italianate residence in Nevada City, California. Plaster brackets by Lorna Kollmeyer.
Ceiling dome in an addition to an Italianate residence in Nevada City, California. The addition is a Classical pavilion with 14 foot ceilings and features extensive use of plaster details. Many of the details were custom carved and then cast by ornamental plasterer Lorna Kollmeyer.
This new Italianate style front entry vestibule for an historic Victorian home has inner doors of Honduras mahogany with leaded glass panels and outer doors of painted redwood. The floor features an intricate pattern of inlaid marble. Custom hardware by Cirecast.
This newly built conservatory is an addition to a residence in Nevada City, California. Walls of divided lite windows and French doors provide abundant light to a Classical interior with a leaded glass skylight.
The front entry to a Queen Anne residence in Belvedere, California, was completely rebuilt in the original style of the home. The front door and sidelight are newly constructed as are the brick planters and stone paving. To the left is a small addition to the home that contains a new powder room and sitting area off the existing dining room.
The water facing facade of a landmark Queen Anne home in Belvedere, California, has been reconstructed to replace inappropriate windows added in the 1950’s and to incorporate a seismic upgrade. All windows and doors are newly built and all handrails were replaced to comply with current building codes. The lowest level of the home was excavated to add new living space and a large sundeck was added to provided outdoor space. The original design of the building was maintained throughout.
All details of this Queen Anne stairway are newly constructed to replace what used to be a dark and dreary space. The wall was opened up, a decorative portiere was added above a new handrail and newel post, and a new leaded glass window was added to bring in more light. The Victorian bench and wall paneling were added to complete the feeling of a Victorian stair hall although it is actually located to one side of the living room.
Restoration of a San Francisco Italianate facade with contractor Christopher Yerke, painting by Bruce Nelson, color by Lynne Rutter, and tile design by Riley Doty. This badly maintained facade was brought back to life with the collaboration of Artisitic License artisans in the spirit of the history of the guild.
Erik Kramvik lectures on design history, as part of the Guild’s annual lecture series
Erik Kramvik lectures on design history, as part of the Guild’s annual lecture series
Erik Kramvik lectures on design history, as part of the Guild’s annual lecture series
