Specifying Custom Art for Interiors

Left: Kathleen Archer with “Quietness at Last”  //  Right: Sarah Winchester with “Beach Horse”

Last week we hosted an invitational Lunch + Learn event in our White Light studios. We introduced a couple of artists that we are working with to a group of local interior designers and provided an opportunity for them to network with each other while enjoying a presentation of the how-to’s behind creating and specifying custom art.

Special guests, fine art photographers Kathleen Gerdon Archer and Sarah Winchester discussed the vision behind their work, as well as their material selections for custom printing and mounting of their large format images. 

test print photo via @sarah_w_studios on Instagram

For both artists, the process begins with the image. From there, we provide them with a test print at a reduced size to check for reproduction quality and overall color. 

Next we work with each artist to select the finishing materials which include what type of media the image is printed on (paper or polypropylene for example) and what type of surface material is used (a typical supporting material could be dibond which can also be paired with gloss or matte plexiglass in front of the image). Installation hardware is also determined.

sample photo credit: Yvonne Blacker  // seating area vignette via Dragonette, Ltd.

While the repeat of this photograph may appear similar when viewed side by side on a computer screen, up close the mounted images are quite different in texture and sheen which allows for a variety of presentational options. 

image on fine art canvas

image under plexiglass

Left photo: Carpenter and MacNeille  //  Right photo: courtesy of Fabric Frame

Other reproduction options include printing on fabric (examples above) and even on brushed or smooth aluminum (photo below). Etched silver vinyl and window perf adhesive are additional customizable options that provide privacy screens and visual interest on both glass walls and windows.  

Photo print on aluminum  //  Artist: Leighton O'Connor

Etched silver vinyl installed as branded privacy screen for Kortec corporate offices.

Window perf film posted by North Fork Design Co.
via @elyseparkhurst on Instagram

We can even enlarge images and then print on wall coverings that can be hung like traditional wallpapers. The higher the resolution of the image, the larger it can be reproduced. We have covered entire walls with both photo and fine art images.

While the image below used for our presentation is fairly low-res taken with an average hand-held digital, it still provides enough artistic interest to be used as a subtle wall covering.

Photo of vintage art reproduced on adhesive wall covering // art via Dragonette, Ltd.

Photo reprints mounted on dibond panels with exhibit shield lamination
Photos: Dessange International  //  Interior designer: Eugenie Roy

When selecting images for large format print, resolution quality can determine the print materials and enlargement options. We check each image to ensure that the final piece will look just as beautiful as the original when resized for large scale display. With vintage black and white photography, we can remove dust specs or scratches from the original image. We also balance and correct color on each image as needed.  

Ghosted image of Dessange International salon photo, wall mounted as white board.

Interior designer: Eugenie Roy

Unique applications, like the custom white board above, are created as design solutions to client requests. In this example, the interior designer’s client, the US headquarters of an international hair care company, required a white board in a common brainstorming area. We suggested featuring a brand-worthy image then ghosting the wall sized photo (adding visual transparency) so that the aluminum framed whiteboard would appear as art when not in use.

The possibilities of creating custom art are endless, and we are always happy to share what we know with our artist and design professional partners in order for their work to truly stand out. 

Thank you to all of our Lunch + Learn guests who spent the afternoon with us to learn more about incorporating custom art into contract and residential interiors! If you would like to be on our list for future events, just let us know. 

F O R  M O R E  I N F O R M A T I O N  ...

To see the work of Kathleen Archer in her current Kingston Gallery exhibit in Boston through June 28th, click here. Follow her on Instagram.

Beach Horse via @sarah_w_studios on Instagram

For more information about Sarah Winchester’s image collection soon to be available for purchase online, click here. Follow her on Instagram.

And to receive copies of White Light Visual sample materials books or to discuss a custom art print of your own, contact yvonne@whitelightvisual.com