Your wall color is as important as the frame of the art piece. This should not disturb the masterpiece, but it should complement the art as one instead. You’ve devoted considerable thought to picking and organizing your art pieces. In that case, it only makes sense to provide the same amount of thought to selecting a fantastic color for your interior painting.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST WALL COLOR TO GO WITH YOUR ART

1. Consider your Preferences

Before hanging any art piece on your interior walls, it’s crucial to think about the direction and theme of your design. Think about what you want a room to look like when everything’s done.

Evaluate your preferences, whether you want a peaceful or cozy vibe. Or you want your space to look more elegant, bright, clean, formal, or something dramatic. Whichever path you take will assist you in determining the suitable color scheme to match your art pieces and wall color.

A calm environment, for example, would require darker and cooler colors like greens, blues, and purples. A mix of neutrals and gentler, lighter tones could be used in a more brilliant and simple design. And how about some drama? Choose brighter, warmer shades like magenta or red.

2. Identify Your Wall Paint’s Undertone

The shade of your interior walls may appear clear to you but take a deeper look. Unless the paint color of your wall is pure white, there will almost certainly be some undertones that will alter your entire color palette. All paint colors contain undertones, including grays, beiges, and whites. The problem is that these “concealed” hues are difficult to notice unless you compare your wall paint to a different shade.

That’s why having a paint color fan deck for color comparisons comes in handy. If your interior wall color is eggshell, cream, ivory, or another neutral white, choose the purest white on the fan deck to detect undertones. Likewise, compare your wall to other shades of blue, beige, or gray to get a sense of the fine undertones affecting the dominant hue.

Matching the color palette of your artworks with the undertone of your wall helps ensure that nothing appears strangely “wrong” when everything is put together.

3. Choose a Color Scheme

Here are some useful design ideas to consider — and when you’ll need to pull out your color wheel. When it comes to the type of color scheme that will bind your room together, you have three options: monochromatic, complementary, or analogous.

Let’s have a look at what each of these represents.

Monochromatic

Become one with your color palette. A monochromatic design creates a unified, harmonious aesthetic in your space by using only one color in various shades. Choose a few distinct tones, shades, or tints of the same color to incorporate in your artwork based on the color of your wall (or undertone).

Complementary

Do you want to make a bigger statement with your art? Then you should go with a complementary color palette. Complementary hues, such as green and purple or orange and blue, are opposite each other on the color wheel. Combining complementary shades produces a striking contrast and adds interest to the space.

If your wall paint color is neutral, consider the undertone to determine which complementary color to choose. If your wall already has a specific hue, simply locate its inverse on the color wheel!

Analogous

Analogous colors are those that are adjacent on the color wheel. Using tones of the same color will result in a more peaceful and harmonious effect between your hanging art and wall color.

Choose one dominating color and apply the remaining two or three as accent colors. If your wall paint color is neutral, start your analogous color scheme with the undertone of the wall. For example, if your wall color has a light-blue undertone, your accent colors could be soft green and navy blue.

BEST WALL PAINT COLORS FOR HANGING AN ART PIECE

Neutral Colors

You can never go wrong with hanging your paintings on a neutral-colored wall. Choose a darker color, such as dark bluish-gray, to create a dramatic space.

Sky Blue

A sky blue wall contrasts nicely with predominantly white art pieces. Both the art and the wall color have an ethereal appearance, giving a tranquil and dreamy vibe to the area.

Olive Green

Olive green walls are a perfect complement for retro-inspired spaces with classic artworks and accessories. The color definitely brings the 1960s and 1970s vibe.

Lavender blue

Choose a wall paint color that will mask your frames for a uniform design. For example, the pale lavender wall paint color will fit well in with silver-framed artworks, putting more emphasis on each block of color.

Pink-Orange

If your artwork has vibrant colors, don’t assume your wall color needs to be as vivid. Softer and more subdued paint colors will highlight your piece while downplaying the rest of the space. A vivid coral or Pink-Orange background is appropriate for artwork with subdued hues. Color tones that contrast add balance and interest to a room.

Yellow

A photo display complements the white elements in a space. With so much white, a bold yellow wall color makes the artwork and furnishings stand out without overpowering the space.

Terracotta

Photographs in black and white stand out nicely against a deep wall backdrop. For example, terracotta-colored walls complement gray or black-and-white artwork.

CONCLUSION

It’s important to consider the color, size, and type of art pieces you will hang on your wall before starting your interior painting project.

You can always go back to the tips and list of colors above if you’re still unsure about what color you’re using.

However, if you’re having a hard time deciding which wall paint color suits best for your artwork, don’t hesitate to call the most reliable painting contractor in your area. By doing this, you can ensure that you’ll get professional help and the best result for your project.

About the author: Jericho Miles is a copywriter and content creator of Custom Colonial Painting that specializes in architectural, landscaping, and construction-related blogs. He’s drawing his writing inspiration from his experiences as a junior architect.

The post The Best Paint Colors in your Home to Showcase your Art appeared first on Art Business News.

And how you can do it will be our topic of the day.

KEEP EVERYTHING NEUTRAL

When people think about abstract art, the first thing that comes to their mind is usually a splash of bold colors. Abstract art can indeed be like that, especially if it tries to tell the artist’s story. But this is not always the case. Sometimes a story of abstract art can be told with gentle, simple, and neutral colors. Many artists prefer neutral, earthy, or even soft pastels in their art. These colors will bring warmth to any room and elevate it with elegance.

So, when you decide to style your home with abstract, don’t feel pressured to go bold. Go neutral instead. Moreover, choose colors that match the ‘vibe’ of your room. And, of course, pair them up with nice frames – white frames, for example, match neutral colors the most.

FILL YOUR SPACE 

However, if you are not new to abstract art, if you are not afraid to display its bold colors and peculiar shapes, then fill up your space with it. It will make your home look amazing and unique. Just think about all the exciting conversation starters you will have.

But let us get one thing straight — you can’t just hang pictures and photos randomly on the wall, and you can’t just put figurines and other pieces of art randomly on the shelves. Abstract art is abstract enough! You need the order to make it stand out. The best way to do that is to plan where your pieces will go. Use the empty space in your home and experiment with your art pieces there.

DARE TO GO SMALL 

Yes, most abstract art is big — paintings, photos, figures, and even things like bowls tend to be more prominent in size when abstract. But, if you want to style your home with abstract art, don’t think that bigger is always better. It is not! Your home will not look aesthetically pleasing if you fill it with a lot of big abstract pieces — they will look ununified, and they will always stand in your way.

So, instead of using big abstract pieces, go small instead. It is much better to fill your space with many small pieces than two big ones. Moreover, we know that sometimes it might be hard to find many art pieces for your home. After all, they should all match. If you experience difficulty when doing this, don’t hesitate to seek the help of a professional — an art dealer or gallery that you trust. This kind of professional will be able to answer all your questions, fill your collection with some of the best pieces, and make your home look amazing.

MIX THINGS UP 

Who said that art in your home must belong to the same genre? It doesn’t! Moreover, who said that art pieces must stand on an empty wall or have a special place dedicated to them? It doesn’t! You can style your home with abstract art without worrying about your other art pieces, decor, and furniture. Of course, everything should match in a way, but don’t let that be the primary focus of your attention. You can have many colors and styles in your home if an element ties them together.

So, play around with the objects in your room. Put art in the middle of furniture. Experiment with colors. And, if you want to make everything polished, try to match the colors of your abstract art pieces with something in your room. Match it to something smaller – a pillow, a frame of another art piece, a vase, etc. This will make a lot of difference.

THINK – DOUBLE 

If you have a big room and a big, empty wall to fill out, abstract pieces will work in your favor. But, this time, don’t use one big piece or plenty of smaller ones. Use doubles. Many abstract artists create these kinds of pieces called identical or mirrored. These pieces look very similar to one another or connect to one another. They can be a great way to style your home with abstract art, especially if you don’t know where and how to start incorporating abstract art in your home.

Moreover, you can use this idea for many things, not just for pictures and photos in your living room. Doubles look great above bed frames, cabinets, and even above fireplaces. So, don’t be afraid to try this out if you have some space to fill out. Just be careful of the dimensions of the art. The doubles you choose should match the size of what’s underneath them. That is the best way to style your home with abstract art and make it look interesting and unified at the same time.

Author Bio: Sarah Collins currently works for a2bmovingandstorage.com movers as a consultant. She enjoys writing articles for her blog in her free time. She covers topics such as decorating, remodeling, gardening, moving, parenting, etc. Sarah is also a wife, a mum of one girl, and a cat owner.

The post How to Style Your Home with Abstract Art appeared first on Art Business News.

CHOOSING ART PIECES FOR YOUR HOME – THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

We completely understand how choosing art pieces for your home sounds like a difficult task, especially if you don’t have experience. But if you follow the six steps in this guide, we guarantee you’ll have a fun experience.

#1 FIGURE OUT YOUR STYLE

Before you start shopping for art pieces, you need to figure out the overall style you have and want in your home. Finding your interior design style is essential as it will dictate what type of art you’ll want to look for.

If the art pieces you’ve chosen feel out of place and simply don’t fit with your interior design, they will conflict with the impression of your home. Therefore, assessing the style of your space should be your priority. It will make choosing art much easier.

#2 DECIDE IF AND WHERE ART WILL BE THE FOCAL POINT

Every room needs a focal point, but not all focal points are good. A focal point is the first thing you notice when you walk into a room, so if the first thing that catches your eye is an aircon vent on the wall, something needs to be changed.

Art is always an excellent choice for a focal point. However, always remember that every room should only have one focal point. In case you’re choosing art for a room that already has a gorgeous rug as a focal point, make sure to go for a painting that’s not too visually striking.

#3 FIGURE OUT WHAT’S THE RIGHT SIZE

One of the common mistakes people make when choosing art for their home is not getting the size right. Either they pick tiny pieces for massive walls or overwhelm a small space with an oversized piece of art. Make sure to assess every room in detail before deciding on the correct size. 

Here are some tips to help you decide what size art you should choose:

• If you’re choosing artwork for your bedroom, keep in mind that it should span almost the entire width of the headboard of your bed.
• If you’re decorating your dining room, make sure to choose art that spans almost the entire width of your dining table or sideboard.
• For artwork, you want to use above the entry table in your hallway, make sure never to go over the full length of it.
• In case you’re choosing art for a wall with no furniture below it, make sure that the art takes up a large amount of that wall.

So, before you go shopping, measure your dining table, headboard, or any other item you want to hang art above, as this will stop you from making a big mistake. Also, you should always be mindful and choose the right ways for hanging art in your home.

#4 CHOOSE ART THAT SUITS THE ROOM

One of the most important things to consider when choosing art for your home is the overall ambiance and atmosphere you’re trying to create. You should pay attention to the color scheme and lighting, too.

Also, make sure to factor in the room’s function. For example, art in the living room is usually the centerpiece of the room and the crown jewel of the owner’s collection. On the other hand, art in the bedroom is more intimate and, in many cases, has a special meaning.

#5 DECIDE ON DETAILS

Another thing you should do before you go shopping is to decide on the specifics. It’s crucial to figure out what type of art you want and how many pieces would work well in the space.

In some cases, a triptych is your best option, while in others, it can be a simple and tiny framed photograph. Also, in some rooms, canvas artwork fits perfectly, while framed doesn’t. Or it might be a collection that makes an impact. It’s all about understanding the space and choosing art accordingly.

#6 CHOOSING ART PIECES FOR YOUR HOME

And you’ve reached the final step – looking for and choosing the art pieces for your home. Now that you know your home’s style and what you want to achieve in every room, you can enjoy and make the most of this process. All that it’s left is to find art that fits into what you’ve imagined and planned.

However, don’t get disappointed if you don’t fall in love with every piece of art that turns out to be the best choice for a specific room in your home. As long as you like it, you can focus on making the room look whole with and without the piece in question. Also, keep in mind that artwork requires care and maintenance, so make sure you take good care of the pieces you’ve chosen for your home.

GOOD LUCK CHOOSING ART PIECES FOR YOUR HOME

We hope our guide to choosing art pieces for your home helps you select artwork that perfectly complements your home. We’re sure that once you step foot into the fantastic world of art, you won’t be able to get enough of it! So, make sure to subscribe to art business news, and you’ll always be in the know!

Author bio:

Devin Sheard is a writer with a great passion for interior design. She is currently working as a content manager for Zippy Shell DMV. However, she’s also running a successful blog where she shares different home decor and interior design tips. 

The post Guide to Choosing Art Pieces for Your Home appeared first on Art Business News.

To ensure the protection of your artwork, make sure you carry art safely in bags. Bags that are either designed as portfolios or backpacks offer protection for smaller sketches, art supplies, and sketch pads. For bigger pieces, you may need to use a solid foam material to protect the edges of the frames in which the artwork is placed.

When you are ready to hang your artwork, you first need to consider the space for the hanging. Therefore, you need to contemplate how your art will look in the intended space.

1. POSITION A SINGLE ART PIECE AT EYE LEVEL

If you only have one piece of art to hang, always place it at eye level. The idea is to impress the viewer so they can consider the picture straight-on.  In this instance, the magic number is 60 or 5, whether you are talking in inches or feet.

Plant your painting or sketch 60 inches from the center of the wall to the floor, or precisely 5 feet. When hanging the art over furniture, you should allow for about 5 inches of space. In this case 5 is the magic number for inches. If you plan to hang the art over a console or couch, it should be about two-thirds the width of the furnishing. Otherwise, it will look out of sync.

2. TREAT 2 OR 4 PIECES OF ART AS ONE PIECE OF ARTWORK

If you plant to hang two pieces of art, or even three or four, space them only a couple inches apart and hang them, again, 60 inches or 5 feet from the floor to the center of the artwork.

3. CREATE A GALLERY WALL THAT UNIFIES A CENTRAL THEME

If you are hanging a gallery wall, you want to use a grid of images or prints with a similar theme as well as frames that are consistent in appearance. The art might represent botanical prints or sketches or black-and-white photographs.

If you are so inclined, you may prefer to mix the looks of the frames for a more eclectic design. Place the art about 3 inches apart or smaller pieces about 2 inches from one another. To make the project simpler, trace the frames you will be using on paper first, then use painters’ tape to configure a layout on the wall before hammering holes for the art.

4. CONSIDER YOUR FRAMES

Besides knowing how to hang your artwork, you also have to review the frames. Prints and paintings look different, depending on the styles and material of the border. Frame designs and materials may include the following:

• Marble and brass
• Woven rattan
• Crafted leather
• Industrial brass
• Stitched leather
• Inlaid bone

5. USE A CORDLESS DRILL TO HANG ARTWORK ON BRICK

While it is a safe bet that you only need a hammer to hang a painting or print in drywall or a plaster wall, you will have to take a different approach if your art is being hung on brick.

If you choose a brick space, make sure you can do so, as some older homes or apartments may require that you to get permission to drill into exposed brick.

WHAT TOOLS YOU WILL NEED

Once you’re ready to proceed, you will need the following tools for hanging your artwork:

• A cordless drill (an essential tool)
• A Phillips head drill bit
• Masonry drill bit if hanging on brick
• A hammer
• Screws and anchors
• A level and tape measure
• A marker

GETTING IT DONE

1. FIGURE OUT WHERE YOU WILL DRILL THE HOLES FOR THE ANCHORS AND SCREWS

Use the marker to determine where your frame will affix to the wall. Center the mark so it is 60 inches, or 5 feet, from the ground. If you only have one small picture attached to a string, you only need to drill one hole. For a larger picture with D-rings or a cord, you need two screws to balance the picture and offer enough support. Use the level to ensure the holes you drill remain even.

2. DRILL THE HOLES AT THE MARKED SITES

Use the masonry bit and drill to make the holes for hanging your art. Make sure you drill each hole so it can hold and support the length of the screw. Drill slowly so you don’t overheat the tool. Take breaks, if needed, during the activity. After drilling the hole(s), remove the residue with a dry cloth.

3. TAP THE ANCHOR(S) INTO THE HOLES

Use the hammer to add the anchors so you can keep the screws in place.

4. DRILL THE SCREW(S) INTO THE ANCHOR(S)

When you drill the screw(s) into the anchor(s) leave about one-fourth inch to hang the cord or string for the artwork and frame.

5. HANG THE ARTWORK, MAKING SURE IT IS IN BALANCE

Finally, you want to tighten the screws in place. Make sure the art is in balance and is hanging at eye level, especially if it is hanging from a single string or wire.

If you don’t want to create holes in the brick, you might try adding clamps to the masonry. You can attach the clamps to hold your art without using any tools. Make sure you measure the size of the brick before you purchase the clamps, as they come in a variety of sizes.

6. USE OTHER TERNATIVES FOR DISPLAYING YOUR ART

• Besides using nails for hanging, you can also use picture-hanging strips known as command strips. These strips provide a great hold, whether your artwork is heavy or light. Plus, they won’t leave any traces when you remove the art.
• You can also place art on the mantle over your fireplace. You might also think about filling in spaces in a bookcase with smaller pieces of art.
• Using an easel provides a nice way to display art as well.

7. HANG A LARGER PICTURE AND FRAME IN A SMALLER SPACE

If you have a small space for hanging art, use a larger picture and frame. It is far easier to take this approach as it creates a focal point and makes hanging the artwork simpler too.

Author Bio:

Bari Syed has been involved with photography for the past 10 years and wants to share his knowledge with others.

The post Tips for Hanging Art in Your Home appeared first on Art Business News.

In many renovations, framed art is often at the bottom of the design budget. A designer asks that a client purchase the key elements first: flooring, furniture, rugs, window dressing, and decorative mouldings for the walls. These big-ticket items anchor the design aspects of the room and constitute the basis for all future metamorphoses of the room.

Most prevalent design strategies propose that these investment pieces be of good quality and as design-neutral as possible. The items that comprise the trendy and fashionable aspect of the design plan are usually cheaper and deliberately interchangeable for seasonal variety.

This situation puts custom framing in an awkward middle position, as it is neither cheap nor interchangeable. Properly custom-framed art is expensive and aligns more closely with furniture than with pillows, throws, and other accessories. Framed art that is cheap, interchangeable, and ready-made, on the other hand, requires frequent replacement due to its poor construction and general absence of real artistic value. Yet the framer still must often handle the tail end of dwindling resources for customers who show them paint chips and carpet swatches and expect things to match.

When you face this situation, all you can do is take a deep breath and dive in.
As with most other situations, preparation is key. After bellying up to your counter, what the customer sees first are your frame samples. I like to arrange mine according to finish and size. My customers don’t know or care what company supplied them, so arranging them by supplier would be unnecessarily confusing. By keeping all my similarly colored frame samples together, I ensure that my customers can see at a glance what kind of selection I offer.

I cannot overstate how necessary it is to have the right samples on display. You must have samples that reflect current styles and trends—not because you want to create trendy and fashionable framed art, but because you want to represent yourself as knowledgeable of current design trends and as a credible source of design advice.

People’s tastes change. Recently, there has been a noticeable movement toward a simpler design aesthetic. Empty-nesters are getting rid of all their heavy wood “investment” furniture and decorating with an eye for clean lines and simple shapes. Furniture retailers will tell you that white is the most common color choice for leather furniture. You will not sell anything to this customer if all the samples they see when they walk in your store are mahogany or barn-board blue.

Your frame supplier is the best resource for keeping your frame samples current. Your sales rep shows you carefully considered frame samples that coordinate with what your customers have seen in interior-design magazines. Keep an open mind when viewing samples from a frame supplier—don’t assume that your customer won’t like what you don’t like. When I was a sales rep and first went out to galleries showing them a new line of brightly colored lacquer frames, most framers were visibly repulsed. Those sweet little frames brought up all kinds of unpleasant memories of bad lacquers gone by. The framers brave enough to put those samples out were thoroughly surprised to find that their customers did not share their feelings. Clients were more than ready for some color and shine in their framing projects. Sales were so good that some colors ended up on backorder due to the unexpectedly rapid depletion of stock.

Pay attention to what your customers are asking for. Customers were asking me for wenge frames long before I carried anything with a wenge veneer. They were asking for white gallery frames long before I had the right matte white and tall stem shape that such frames required. They were asking for floater frames before I even knew what a floater frame was. We framers get caught up in the day-to-day operation of our businesses and our busy lives, and we can lose track of the dynamic nature of our customers’ desires. But this changing nature is the lifeblood of our business, so you must change along with it.

Properly implemented custom framing is a craft. It has all the attributes of fine furniture, and, like fine furniture, it is expensive. Education is the only approach to customers’ resistance to your price point. Be knowledgeable about your product and be willing to share that information. People pay more when they understand what they are purchasing. Fine Italian wood veneers look different from foils. Real metallic leafing looks different from a metallic spray finish. Acid-free mats won’t fade and discolor as paper mats will. I don’t offer paper mats, and I don’t use any materials in my gallery that are substandard, because I know that the product my gallery produces is my representation in the world. It is the best advertising I will ever do, and it has to show the quality and design expertise that my clients have every right to expect.

Do not hesitate to charge properly for your work. If you are proud of your work, you should be paid accordingly. There will always be someone willing to do it for less, but do not let that fact affect you. Good customer service and a superior product always win in the end. Great design is priceless.

People are obsessed with trends and all things trending in popular culture. The trends are unavoidable and, if you keep them in mind as reference points, rather than the full objective, they are useful tools.

For example, I have recently noticed the re-emergence of gold in interior-design compilations. It is the brassy, true-to-life gold that hasn’t been in the hardware palette in a long time. For as long as I can remember, silver has been the metallic finish of choice. The trend started with bright silver leaf, which slowly shifted into nickel and then into darker silvers with patinated finishes. Gold was the color of “Grandma’s framing,” and designers and their clients avoided it like the plague. The new gold is modern, sharply angular, narrow, and delicately textured. It will be a slow process, but be warned: Gold is coming back.

The espresso wood trend is sticking around due to its total domination of the furniture world. Because people have invested so much money in espresso-finished flooring, furniture, and cabinetry, I don’t expect the trend to disappear for a long time. There has been a lot more conversation about color forecasting and Pantone’s Color of the Year in the media this year than I remember from years past. I find that, for me, this forecast is of personal interest but of limited use in my framing projects. A change from Radiant Orchid to Marsala in the color schemes of mass-market production will never influence the directions I give my customers concerning frames and mats.

When customers come in for the final finishing touches on their newly renovated space, be confident and ready. With preparation and design savvy, you will have exactly the right tools to ensure that those last pieces of their design puzzle will be exactly what they need to finish the project off with style.

The post Finishing with Style appeared first on Art Business News.

During recent trips to my favorite art gallery and an amazing museum exhibition, I was reminded of how important an artwork’s display is to the overall effect of the art. As I viewed the sculpture collections at this gallery and museum, I noticed how the pedestals on which the artwork rested enhanced my experience of each piece.

If you’ve had a similar experience and wondered how you can achieve the same display and appreciation for your treasured sculpture pieces, look no further than Pease Pedestals. Celebrating 20 years of creating beautiful acrylic fabrication, Pease Pedestals has established itself as a premier U.S. manufacturer of high-end acrylic furniture, fixtures, and accessories.

Founder Patrick Pease and new owner Scott Gordon reveal how the company started, what drives its development, where it is headed today with Gordon at the helm, and—perhaps most important—what Pease Pedestals can do to inspire success in your business.

DECOR Magazine: How was Pease Pedestals founded?
Pease Pedestals: Patrick Pease began working with acrylic in 1979 as co-owner of Carmichael Designs in Palm Springs, California. Carmichael specialized in acrylic furniture design and fabrication. Patrick sold that business in 1995 and returned to his hometown in the Chicago area to raise his family. There, he opened Pease Plastics, again focusing on acrylic fabrication and creating a variety of furniture, display fixtures, accessories, and artwork.
In 1997, Patrick exhibited his spectacular colored acrylic sculptures at Artexpo New York, and he realized that his pedestals were generating as much interest as his artwork. As a result, he created a full line of pedestals, and Pease Pedestals was born.

DM: How did you develop your careers and come into this business?
PP: With a background in art, Patrick was drawn to the techniques and creative possibilities of acrylic fabrication. His first and most celebrated pieces were layers of laminated colored acrylic forming magical prismatic sculptures. Needing a way to display the sculptures he created, Patrick made coordinating display pedestals. Galleries began ordering the display pedestals for their artwork, and Patrick soon realized that he could expand beyond the sculptures. The addition of high-end furniture—dining tables, side tables, chairs, barstools, benches, and more—gave the company a full range of products to enhance any decor.
After 35 years of running a successful business, Patrick decided to scale back his involvement and find someone to buy into his business who would continue—and, he hoped, expand on—the legacy that he had built.
Scott has always had a passion for working with his hands. By the age of 10, he had discovered Guillow’s wooden airplane kits—basically a set of plans with a couple of flat sheets of balsa wood from which he could build a fairly complex 3-D airplane that could actually fly. Over time, he expanded and refined his skills, building furniture and remodeling his home. A passion for art led him to open two art galleries in the 1990s, but, with a successful career in film and television, all of these remained merely hobbies—that is, until 2013, when Scott decided to start a second career and do what he loved. He looked for a successful business to buy into that would allow him to be creative and make things with his own hands. Luckily, he found Pease Pedestals just as Patrick was looking to make a move in his career.
Today, Scott and Patrick work side by side, with Scott running all aspects of the business and Patrick advising when needed and occasionally working on a sculpture commission.

DM: What is your vision for the company and the motivation and inspiration behind your product lines?
PP: Our vision is to make Pease Pedestals and its sister company, Pease Plastics, the premier U.S. manufacturers of high-end acrylic furniture, fixtures, and accessories. Pease has developed a solid reputation over the years, focusing on innovative design, quality, and service for the most discerning customers. The company wants that legacy to continue. The challenge is to keep all of those attributes at the highest level while scaling up to meet the demand. Deploying the latest technology—laser cutters, engravers, and computer-numerical-control (CNC) routers—certainly helps, but it is our exceptional craftsmen who ultimately maintain our high quality and make innovation happen.
The pedestals are intended to be functional and beautiful yet not overpowering. Because they were originally developed to showcase Patrick’s acrylic art, many of them incorporated lighting, along with motors and turntables. The original designs have evolved over the years to our current line. We also create custom designs, and popular custom features often migrate to our standard line. We are continuing to develop new designs, inspired by the latest trends in art and architecture.

DM: What materials and components do you use in your products? What innovations and product features differentiate you from competitors?
PP: At Pease, we use a variety of methods in our construction. Many are common knowledge and similar to woodworking techniques, but we do have a few proprietary methods that set us apart from other acrylic fabricators. In particular, we are known for making beautiful, strong, crystal-clear joints in thick acrylic. Industry professionals constantly compliment us on our joinery, and we have even acted as subcontractors for other acrylic manufacturers to provide them with our high-quality joints. We’ve also developed unique ways of using our laser to build jigs for cutting and shaping, allowing us to make items most acrylic fabricators would only tackle with a CNC.

DM: What are your customers like? Do you have any great customer stories?
PP: Our customers vary quite a bit. Most are galleries or furniture retailers who are in turn dealing with their retail customers. We provide them with all of our resources so that they can offer custom, high-end pedestals as if they were the manufacturers themselves. We work very closely with galleries; they are actually our primary sales force. We also supply a variety of designers and decorators, as well as a few of our own retail customers. We cater to a high-end, discerning clientele, but we also provide a full range of pedestals, including simple boxes and display cases.
One of our favorite stories involves a designer who was so pleased with the acrylic furniture and decorative items that we had made for her that she sent us a very generous gift. In most companies it works the other way around! Somehow, we’ve managed to attract the most amazing, appreciative, and loyal clientele. Who could ask for more?

DM: How many people do you employ?
PP: We have 27 employees, and every one of them counts. We believe in taking very good care of our staff; they are our most important asset. Each is an expert at what he or she does, and is valued by everyone within the company. We’re very proud to provide them with good wages, paid vacation and sick time, a health plan, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan with matching funds.
In addition, we support the community where we all live and work. Many of our regular customers are local, so their causes often become our causes. We donate money, goods, and services to local charities. We’re also members of the local chamber of commerce and some neighboring towns’ chambers of commerce. We think this completes a circle of taking care and giving back, and we have been rewarded with loyal employees and loyal customers.

DM: What can you tell us about product development? What’s on the drawing board?
PP: Our customer base includes many leading designers and decorators, so we’re always participating in the latest trends. The development of new products at Pease Pedestals is constant and ongoing. Some designs begin as modifications to existing pedestals, and others are completely new creations. Inspiration comes from a variety of sources—perhaps an amazing work of art or a bold example of architecture.
Inspiration can also come from new technology. For example, although we have no specific plans to introduce any new models in the coming year, it’s quite possible that our ongoing migration from halogen- and fluorescent-light sources to LEDs could result in new designs. Our growing use of lasers and CNC routers also opens up new possibilities beyond what we could do with traditional tools. We’re not only able to manufacture in a better way, we’re also often able to add new aspects to the design.

DM: Do you have anything else to tell our readers?
PP: Even after all these years, it’s great to see the business growing and thriving. We do it through building partnerships internally and externally: with our staff, our customers, our community, our industry, every point of contact.
We’re excited about what we have. What we see in our customers is love for what we do and how we do it. How can you beat that?
For more about Pease Pedestals, visit peasepedestals.com.

The post Pease Pedestals: Displaying Success appeared first on Art Business News.