Sourcing Statement Art: A Designer’s Guide to Quality, Customization, and Logistics
Introduction
For Interior Designers and Art Consultants, the artwork is often the "final mile" of a project. It is the element that ties the room together, yet it is often the most difficult to procure.
Finding a piece that fits the aesthetic is only half the battle. You also need precise sizing to fit a niche, archival quality that justifies the budget to the client, and—perhaps most importantly—guaranteed delivery timelines.
Sourcing art for luxury residential or hospitality projects requires a partner, not just a vendor.
Whether you are looking for a singular statement piece for a lobby or a cohesive collection for a private residence, this guide outlines the standards you should expect from your art partners, and introduces how Roman Russo Studio is solving these pain points for the trade.
1. The Challenge of "Standard Sizing" in Custom Spaces
Luxury homes rarely adhere to standard dimensions. A 12-foot sofa or a double-height entryway demands artwork that scales to the architecture, not artwork limited to standard "24x36" framing.
What to look for: When sourcing fine art photography, prioritize studios that offer custom aspect ratios and large-format capabilities. At Roman Russo Studio, we understand that "off-the-rack" sizing doesn't work for custom builds. Our Trade Program offers consultation on scale, ensuring the art commands the wall exactly as your elevation drawings intended.
2. Archival Quality: Protecting Your Client’s Investment
When you specify art for a high-net-worth client, you are vouching for its longevity. A print that fades in three years reflects poorly on the designer.
The Standard: Ensure your sourcing partner uses acid-free (pH 7.5–10) and lignin-free (Kappa number < 5) paper to prevent yellowing and brittleness and Pigment Inks.
Avoid: "Resin Coated" (plastic) papers or dye-based inks often found on consumer decor sites.
The Roman Russo Standard: All our pieces are Limited Edition, signed, and the papers are acid-free and lignin-free with pigment inks.
3. Logistics & Installation: The Invisible Hurdles
The number one anxiety for designers is shipping damage. There is nothing worse than uncrating a piece on installation day only to find shattered glass or a dented frame.
The Solution: Look for partners who use either Museum-Grade Acrylic instead of glass or if they use glass, make sure they have high quality standards when it comes to how they ship the artwork to ensure there is no damage.
4. Introducing the Roman Russo Trade Program
We built our studio with the specific needs of the Design Trade in mind. We know that you need more than just a discount; you need a reliable partner who makes you look good to your client.
Program Benefits Include:
Exclusive Tiered Pricing: Margins for designers, architects, and art consultants.
Priority Production: We understand that timelines shift. Trade members get priority in our production queue.
Custom Curation: Need urban surrealism for a modern downtown loft or minimalist landscapes for a spa project? We can curate a digital deck for your mood boards to share with your client.
No Minimums: Whether it’s one piece or twenty.
How to Apply
We invite licensed Interior Designers, Architects, and Art Consultants to join our network.