Artwork and the Hotel Guest

A recent article in the NYTimes, ‘Hospitality Boutiques’, by Terry Trucco, August 8, 2011; points to how hotels are recognizing the opportunities they have for revenue in enlarging their hotel gift shop offerings to include high end merchandise and art.  “With occupancy rates and the number of travelers on the rise, industry experts predict growth in high-concept hotel shops.  Shops are one of the remaining opportunities hotels have for people to say ‘This place is different, better, cleverer and more exciting than I expected,’ ” said Bjorn Hanson, New York University. 

When a guest stays at a hotel for a few days, think of the numerous opportunities for retail.  “If it’s done right, retailing is another layer that makes the overall experience more engaging,” said Alex Calderwood, of the Ace Hotel in New York.  Hotels have long been selling their bathrobes and linens and guests have long been stealing toiletries.  The same applies for artwork in the Boutique Hotel setting.  Rather than taking home a robe, guests are opting for the artwork in the lobby for their own homes.  Alex continues, “You want guests to find things they may not see everywhere else.” 

Artwork by Shelly Hamill
Photography by Amanda Temple
Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa
Bermuda

Guests in the leisure hotel market must pass the lobby artwork on their way to breakfast, lunch and dinner; on their way to the pool, beach, golf and tennis- for several days in a row.  The image of the artwork is repeated and reinforced multiple times in any given day.  An emotional connection is made with the artwork and in the experience of a hotel, the convenience and ease of charging that artwork to their account makes it all the more compelling.   

Artwork by Shelly Hamill
Photography by Amanda Temple
Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa
Bermuda

Good interior design also plays an important role.  Good design allows guests to actually see what a particular piece of artwork will look like in their own home setting.  Decorating a hotel lobby with beautiful artwork and interiors makes it easy on the collector.  The collector does not have to guess what a piece will look like with a sofa and a lamp, the concept already exists. 

Artwork by Shelly Hamill
Photography by Amanda Temple
Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa
Bermuda

Honestly, what it really comes down to is we want that vacation feeling to continue once we get home.  We can think fondly of our time in XYZ every time we see the piece of artwork and we can share our love of XYZ every time a guest in our home expresses interest in the piece- no need to pull out the slide projector.  

Miss Bermuda Rose

Meet 'Miss Bermuda Rose'.  'Miss Bermuda Rose' is 22 inches tall and has a lovely rose pattern on the china plate.  I used coordinating pink beads at the neckline and pink tiles through out the piece.  She is very dainty and feminine.  I was a little worried that the sea foam pearl green tiles along with the pink would look too much like it belonged in a baby's nursery.  But actually, she is delicate and sophisticated at the same time.  As she was destined to continue her journey in Bermuda, I titled her 'Miss Bermuda Rose', I miss the old Bermuda roses.  They too are dainty and feminine.  

I am still loving this halter neckline.  I forget each time I attempt it, that I must then complete the piece with the concrete and this neckline is more difficult to accomplish.  I usually get irritated with myself in the middle of doing it, but then I am happy with the results at the end!  'Miss Bermuda Rose' is gracing the lobby of the Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa in Bermuda.

Willow Bliss

 Please welcome 'Willow Bliss'.  'Willow Bliss' is 12 inches tall and is the second piece delivered to Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel and Spa in Bermuda this week.  Traditionally, I like to mix the blue and white china patterns, but in this piece, I have used Blue Willow pattern exclusively.  I am loving working with this size piece as it allows me to use the smaller plates, like salad plates.  

I found these beads last summer and they coordinate perfectly with the blue in the Blue Willow pattern.  They are clear with blue flecks running through them.  This piece is the perfect size for placing on a dressing table or  entry hall table.  Or maybe even on a book shelf.  I wonder where she will end up?

Introducing Miss Yacht Club

Introducing 'Miss Yacht Club'.  'Miss Yacht Club' is 12 inches tall and is created using a lovely yellow plate with royal blue on the rim.  The royal blue coordinates perfectly with the Blue Willow pattern I use so often.  I have used the 'middles' of the Blue Willow plates for the bodice.  I truly enjoy these two colors together and think 'Miss Yacht Club' would look fabulous next to 'Miss Soleil'.  

Miss Soleil
 

'Miss Yacht Club' is named for the blue and yellow curtains hanging in the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.  All I kept thinking about while making the piece were those curtains!  If they have redecorated, I will be crushed!   'Miss Yacht Club' was delivered this morning to the Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa in Bermuda. 

Miss Whitney

Introducing Miss Whitney.  I am currently in love with this pearl tile.  It is a glass tile with a pearl backing. I have been using it for some time in the 'Inauguration' series of pieces.  Lately I have been experimenting more with how it changes as different colors are placed with it.  In this piece, it picks up on the blue/green in the beads at the neckline and the on the bottom of the skirt. I inserted additional glass tiles that also coordinate with the beads for interest throughout the dress.  I like to think of them as little bursts of color.

Miss Whitney was delivered to Carson Art Gallery in Dallas, Texas earlier this week.  She is available by contacting Diane Carson at the Gallery.

Miss Sacha

Introducing Miss Sacha.  Miss Sacha came together out of the beautiful blue and silver on the china at the ruffle of the bottom of the dress.  I had the perfect blue and mirror tiles to use at random within the pattern of the pearl tiles.  

I also had just one strand of this beautiful gray, blue bead.  I am experimenting with different necklines and love how this one turned out.    Miss Sacha is on her way to Carson Art Gallery in Dallas, Texas.

Mosaic of Beer Cans

I am always on the look out for interesting art installations.  I think this takes the cake!  These are beer cans made into a garland and lanterns.  So impressive!