“Robert Star was created with the goal of providing a first class service for our clients. We understand their needs and we excel at meeting them.”
Robert
Robinson
— Founder/President
At a very early age Robinson was influenced by the workings of his family’s century-old London-based painting and contracting business.
What distinguishes Robinson from his contemporaries is his unique perspective on his clients’ goals. Robinson’s ability to collaborate with renowned architects, interior designers and decorators delivers consistent quality, beauty, and consummate professionalism at every level of Robert Star, Inc.
Robinson was born and raised in London, England, and was nurtured within the general contracting culture of his family’s company, F.G. Robinson Ltd. After completing an apprenticeship with the firm, Robinson carried his Family Legacy to Canada in the early 1970s, and eventually to the United States.
In Canada, Robinson applied the skills imparted through his family’s trade to luxury real estate sales and property management. In 1979, the immense opportunity of the Manhattan market drew Robinson to New York City, where he joined the Douglas Elliman firm. It was here that Robinson recognized the need for quality and first class service in the decorative finishes genre.
In 1982 Robinson combined his family legacy and real estate management skills to found Robert Star, Inc., focusing exclusively on high-end painting, decorative finishes and wall covering installation. Robinson manages the firm, excels at client relations and leads a dedicated team of skilled professionals who handle the hands-on tasks of each project. This attention has earned Robert Star the reputation for excellence and unsurpassed service.
Initially, clients of Robert Star, Inc. included the firms of Brown Harris Stevens and Douglas Elliman. Over the past 25 years Robert Star has developed an exclusive clientele of socialites, celebrities, contractors, architects and decorators who value Robinson’s creative flair and ability to maneuver within his industry as an advocate for their goals.
Read more of the Robinson Family Legacy.
Joseph Peralvo — Supervisor
Peralvo emigrated from Ecuador to the United States 23 years ago after a successful career as a civil engineer in his home country. He has also been with Robert Star, Inc. for over 20 years.
Peralvo handles client communications, and oversees projects on-site to assure that the Robert Star traditions of excellent service and outstanding quality are achieved.
“Many Robert Star employees have been with the company for a long time… 19, 12 or 10 years,” says Peralvo. “We have a great base of people who are skilled at what they do and are in tune with the details of every job.”
Tom
Smodlaka
— Supervisor
Smodlaka emigrated from Croatia to the United States more than 40 years ago. Following a 16-year career in the optical field, he transitioned to the painting industry and has been with Robert Star, Inc. for more than 20 years.
“Robert Star is like a family business; we achieve great things together,” says Smodlaka, who handles a broad range of responsibilities, from project estimates to decorative finishing.
“Teamwork is our main focus. We trust in one another and our clients trust us,” he adds. “It’s like a sports team; when you work together you win.”
Monica Gotz — Decorative Finishes
Gotz was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and moved to New York City in 1990. She can trace her painting roots to four generations of decorative painters and gilders in Hof, Germany. After a successful career as a graphic designer and illustrator, she began painting professionally in 1999.
As a part of the Robert Star team for over 10 years, Gotz's traditional skills of marbling, gilding, and trompe l’oeil to unusual finishes and color-matching, have graced the walls of homes from Manhattan to Connecticut and beyond.
Paul Croft
— Los Angeles Liaison
Croft is a Canadian-born construction professional who grew up in the industry, working summers at his father’s Ottawa architectural firm before studying accounting and business administration at Rollins College and Pace University, in the United States. For several decades he worked in Dallas, Texas managing projects for the real estate firm Campeau Corporation as well as Turm Construction Services.
Now based in Los Angeles, Croft leads Robert Star’s Southern California team. His 38-year friendship with company Founder Robert Robinson and his familiarity with all aspects of the industry—estimating, planning, scheduling and sub-contractors—extends the Robert Star, Inc. assurance of excellence to the West Coast.
“This is a beautiful part of the world,” says Croft. “Whether we’re refurbishing a home or working on a new one, it's always satisfying to see our projects through and to see our clients happy.”