Become a trusted source to raise the concept of wall art from an accessory to an asset
Professional art installation for a residential client in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Fine art in design matters. A lot.
Designers know just how important art is to their project – how fine art elevates other major assets like furniture, flooring and wall coverings. They know that adding original, custom or limited edition pieces is a chance to narrate their client’s story and showcase their personality. From color, to scale, to texture a carefully considered laying of original wall art and art objects elevates homes and office spaces.
Interior designers can elevate the art buying experience adding value to their client’s experience. It takes work and they do not have to become an art expert like professional art consultants.
How does an interior designer get their clients to understand that art is NOT an accessory? Start with confidence. It’s important to exude the same confidence while working on the art portion of the project that you do when handling the design side.
Educate yourself on different art styles and meet local artists
Start local. Get to know the artists in your community because a majority of your clients will want to support creatives in their own backyard.
And when you’re researching the artists, get to know the art they produce. That way, when you introduce your clients to the thought of wall art you’ll be armed with a plethora of information to both build interest and educate!
Andrea with a local artist at her fine art showcase in collaboration with Circan Tile, Troy, MI.
Interior designers can also educate their customers on the value of artwork, why certain pieces may be worth more than others, and how to properly care for their art so it remains in great condition for years to come.
Rik, Your Ears Look Great.
Giclee print on archival watercolor paper. 14 x 14 x .5 inches
Go beyond painting on walls – excite and innovate through art
Paintings are the most purchased fine art category but when working with your clients, especially those with a contemporary mindset, think bigger. What about using a handmade textile panel as a room divider? Need something fabulous between two sconces? If your client is adventurous what about discussing a digital art projection?
Imaginative art placement is something that art advisors do best. In fact, I pride myself on expanding the idea of what art can be and offer innovative ideas – bringing people out of their flat, “painting-first” mindset. Being this innovative may be too much for you at the start, and you may only need simple abstract or floral, and that’s fine. Innovation means different things to different people and it’s most important to understand your client’s threshold for expanded creativity.
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SOURCE ARTWORKS THAT COORDINATE WITH YOUR DESIGNS
Remember, the artwork has to fit both your design scope and your client’s aesthetics. When it comes to art, never assume that your client’s tastes will match the type of product you installed in their space.
Just because you reinvented their living room into a modern haven doesn’t mean they prefer modern wall art and if they don’t, that’s fine. There are many different art styles that will coordinate with the other major assets in the room. Show them samples of art style you feel would work and let them choose.
I had an interior design client whose residential client threw them a curve ball when, after settling on abstract art, they instead asked for botanical illustrations. However, after I curated the botanical wall art, the designer was pleasantly surprised with how well it rounded out the more contemporary designs.
You know how important wall art and objects are to uplifting your design projects. Don’t rely on stale, overused local options or mass produced prints without personality or human connections.
With hard work and (fun & beautiful) research, interior designers can become knowledgeable on a variety of art styles crafted by local artists and, in turn educate their clients on not only the IMPORTANCE of art to their design projects but also increase the excitement and engagement to art and objects.
Let’s create AMAZING together and tell the unique story of your client’s restaurant, hotel, commercial property, or hospitality project using innovative artwork and custom installations. Hiring Embrace Creatives, a full-service art consultancy firm with 30+ years of expertise will save you time and de-stress the process of building an art collection. Schedule a presentation or contact us.
