29/05/2026
There can be so many positive shifts when art discussions enter a project early: it can be a more defined brief, a sturdier budget, or more generally, what the space can ultimately become. In The Journal, we’ve written about what this looks like in practice. Sharing the link in bio.
💫The Brief Gets Sharper
When art is part of the initial conversation, the answers shape everything downstream. A client describing what stops them in a gallery is also telling you something about their palette, their furniture register, and how much density a room should carry.
💫 Commissions are an Option
A commissioned work needs twelve to sixteen weeks minimum (often more). Building that time in from the start opens up something that sourcing existing work never can; a piece that is entirely custom and was conceived for the space.
💫 The Photography is Elevated
Art that has been specified early on from the brief has a relationship to the room that is visible in an installation photograph. We think an editor can see it immediately. It’s the difference between a space that was built from the inside out and one that was furnished from the outside in.
All of these gorgeous images are from a luxury residential project at Costa Palmas where we were brought on by the designers before they had even broke ground. Abby Kuskin and the design team at Irongate started the conversation with us when there were nothing but mood boards and construction drawings on the table. That’s exactly when we love to be in the room. More thoughts from us on what became possible because of that generous timing is in our latest Journal article, link in bio.
And if you’re mid-project and the art conversation hasn’t started yet, our free guide The First Conversation is also linked.
Images:
(1) Costa Palmas villa residence designed by Irongate Group and
(2) Custom wall hanging designed by at Costa Palmas
(3) Painting commisioned by at Costa Palmas
(4) Custom ceramic and fibre wall relief designed by at Costa Palmas
(5) Painting commisioned by at Costa Palmas
All photos: courtesy of