How a hotel art program works, and how to specify it

Who commissions it

Hotel art is usually commissioned through the interior design firm, an art consultant or an FF&E purchasing company, sometimes directly by the owner or operator.

The stages

1. Brief and quote: themes, palette, quantities and sizes by area
2. Proposal: designs and sizes for each space
3. Samples: painted samples approved before production
4. Production: each set painted by one painter, so a series reads as one
5. Final approval: photos of the finished pieces
6. Packing and delivery: labeled to match the room schedule
7. Installation: by the installer on site

What each area needs

• Guest rooms: calm, durable pieces that don't tire with repetition
• Corridors: vertical formats and matched series
• Lobbies: large statement pieces
• Restaurants and bars: surfaces that can be cleaned, colors that suit the lighting

What a good specification includes

• Sizes and quantities by room type or location
• Subject, style and palette, with references or swatches
• Frame, or unframed with gallery wrap
• Finish: gloss, satin or matte
• Hanging method and hardware
• Labels: room numbers and artwork numbers on each package
• Delivery address, dates and any phasing

Specifications most often leave out the hanging method, a physical color reference and a realistic delivery date.

Fire-retardant and other requirements

Some projects require fire-retardant materials or particular finishes. These are available on request; include them in the specification so they're built into the quote.

Where projects go wrong

Late changes to sizes or quantities, color approved on screen instead of on a sample, and labels that don't match the room schedule.