EP 4: Placing the Priceless, The Art Consultant's Role in Seamless Installation with special Guest

When the stakes are high and the artwork is irreplaceable, installation becomes an art in itself. In this episode of On the Move, Kelly and Caralee sit down with luxury art consultant Brytton Smith to explore how thoughtful collaboration between consultants and installation teams ensures every piece is placed with precision.

From climate-controlled receiving to site walk-throughs and floorplan reviews, discover what really happens behind the scenes when the art is custom, the timeline is tight, and every inch counts. Whether you’re a designer, project manager, or aspiring art consultant, this episode is packed with actionable tips and hard earned wisdom you don’t want to miss.

 Tune in as we unpack:

What an art consultant really does

• The difference a detailed receiving process makes
• How to prep for install day like a pro
• Real-world stories from high-end projects (including 3-story lobby drama)
• Tips for junior designers and PMs working with fine art

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Thank you for tuning in to On the Move – The Art of Installation. If you’re as passionate about details as we are, hit “subscribe,” and join us for insights, stories, and strategy from the field. If you’re ready to work with a team that moves with purpose, professionalism, and polish. Reach out to us at www.caudelle.com or follow us on, Instagram @caudelle_installation. Check out our BLOG, The “WHITE GLOVE JOURNAL”, where you can find our show notes and updates.

Transcript

[00:00:00] [00:01:00] Welcome back to On The Move, the Art of Installation, a podcast by Cardell Interior Installations, where we unpack the details that bring design visions to life. When delivery, when install, when clipboard at a time. We're thrilled you're joining us on the steep dive into the world of white glove installation where vision becomes reality and placement is everything.

And here, precision meets presentation in every inch count. At Cardell, we believe that installation is the final brush stroke on a carefully curated space. So after months or even years of planning and sourcing, the placement of art and furniture can elevate a space or be the reason it completely unravels the vision here.

We are here to make sure that it's the former, because installation isn't just about hanging things, it's about honoring the design intent with accuracy, care and style. So whether you're a designer, art advisor, architect, or project manager, [00:02:00] really, if you just care about how a room comes together. From the first sketch to the final sconce, this podcast is for you because a piece doesn't just get installed, it defines the room.

I'm one of your hosts, Kira Lee. I know you Kelly. And today we're talking about the make or break moment. Yes, you got it. Installation today. The pressure's on the pieces are perfect and nothing can be left a chance the moment where everything comes together or doesn't. And that's why white glove installation isn't just helpful, but essential.

So from precision placement to pre-read floor plans, we're really digging in today about what makes a flawless install possible. And we are joined by someone who brings style, strategy, and serious knowledge to the art world. The amazing Bri Smith, a luxury art consultant, working on everything from high-end residences to curated hospitality spaces.

She does it all. So thank you so much for being here. We are so excited to talk to someone on the other side of the project. [00:03:00] Thanks so much for having me. Honestly, I'm so excited to talk about the part of the project that's so critical. The actual install, which is usually overlooked until it's too late.

So let's your role. Can you tell us what an art consultant really does? So the short version, um, I help clients and designers select artwork that tells a story, elevates the space and reflects who they are. That might mean sourcing from galleries or commissioning artists, or working with art print shops, but it's not just choosing pretty pieces.

It's coordinating, framing, approvals, timelines, and working hand in hand with your team until the work is hanging on the wall. And that's where logistics really come into play, right? Yes, exactly. Once the pieces are acqui acquired, I need a trusted partner like Cardell to receive them. I can't stress enough how important it's to know your art is being received properly and safely and then inspected and documented.

It's not just a a delivery, it's an investment that needs to be protected. So what do you think makes Cardell different when it comes to receiving artwork than say having a purchasing [00:04:00] agent or the property want the art shipped to a receiving warehouse or even shipped to the site directly? I would definitely say cardell's attention to detail.

Everything is tagged by project, photograph, or condition if needed, and stored in a climate controlled space. It lets me breathe easy and makes the job easier. I know you'll catch anything from a chip frame to missing hardware before install day. Well, we always say if the receiving process is strong, the installation will definitely be a lot smoother.

Absolutely. And for any junior designers or project managers listing, here's the tip. Number one, keep a detailed work. Docker specs with all your information. Include vendor contacts, ship dates, dimensions, framing notes, and even room placement. It'll help your receiving team and save you major headaches in the future.

Oh yeah, definitely. The more information we get, the easier it is to, I don't know, prepare, prepare mentally, uh, I don't like that. Okay.[00:05:00] 

Yes, definitely the more information we get, the easier it'll be to manage the inventory, whether that's from packing it and getting it ready for a certain location. Or an area that needs to be installed first. Uh, that seems to be more important that someone wants to focus on. The more information we have, the easier it'll be to, uh, make that possible.

So once it's all received in stored. It's the big day. It's game time installation. And having white glove installers makes all the difference. I'm not just hanging a frame to print. I'm placing site specific commissions, heavy sculptural work or vintage pieces with fragile materials. I really need a create AC crew.

Hang on. I must do that one over. I'll do that over. Yeah.

And having white glove installs makes all the difference. I'm not just hanging a framed print, I'm placing site specific commissions, heavy sculptural work or vintage pieces with fragile materials. I [00:06:00] really need a crew who knows how to handle artwork, period. And because we've already reviewed all of your detailed specs, we've looked over your floor plans, the elevations becoming ready, and really anticipating where those tricky moments might be.

Oh, absolutely. I ceilings. First stairwells, stone walls. Geez. You name it, we've seen it. Oh my gosh. Do you remember the three story lobby install of the sculptural longhorns in Dallas where you couldn't drive a scissor lift on the floor because it was too expensive? Well, not only was it too expensive to drive on the floor, it was also elevated where you couldn't get to live there.

But yes, I definitely remember my job all too well. Yeah, it was definitely a challenge, but you know, we got it figured out. We got everything hung and the floor looked gorgeous even as it did before we even got there. Exactly. And here's tip number two for the up and comers. Always do a walkthrough with your installer team beforehand, even if it's virtual or ever [00:07:00] text.

Flag any unusual conditions like HVAC vents, wall surface issues, or adjacent meal work that could interfere those handful of minutes to prep save hours later. I can't stress this enough. Yes, yes, yes. It keeps everybody calm. 'cause trust me, they are watching everything that you do. It's so much easier to approach a problem in the beginning than it is to wait.

Try to figure it out later and then be left with. Trying to, trying to solve a solution when the client's staring at you. Right. A walkthrough, um, helps too because so many times a site isn't even complete and the client's still wanting to install the artwork, and I honestly feel like that happens more than it doesn't.

Oh, please stop talking about that. But yes, especially if the site isn't ready, because I mean, it's so much easier to reschedule installation, or even if they're. Uh, in the last stages of construction, if we can [00:08:00] get in there, uh, even a day or two later, it speeds up the process. It's safer for everything but.

That being said, if we do need to work around them, we can. I mean, that's, that's the important of importance. It's easy for me to say the importance of a walkthrough because it, it kinda ensures us of the challenges that we're gonna face, what we need to do and how we're gonna get the art or furnishings.

Installed safely and securely. Well, speaking of a safe and secure, let's, uh, talk about peace of mind real quick. So you've got these high value items, tight schedules, very high expectations. What um, what do you feel is most helpful for you in working with a team like Call Dell? I would definitely say assurance.

I know when I hand over a project to your team, it's going to look exactly like the renderings. Your installers are careful, smart, and respectful of the work. You've reviewed the install plans. You ask que questions, you bring extra tools. It's not just about getting things [00:09:00] done, but it's about doing them right.

Well, we try to be the gold standard in that. And my tip number three for junior team members. Build a relationship with your installer early. Don't just send them your specs. Schedule a call, walk through the vision. Make sure they understand why. The why behind each placement. When logistics teams feel in feels included, they protect your vision like it's their own.

That is so well said. You know, we feel like we're really at our best when we're truly part of the creative process. Well, Briton, this has been really incredible and I thank you so much for being here. Thank you for demystifying the role of an art consultant and from sharing some real life, real world, uh, wisdom, uh, for the next generation of designers and project managers.

Thank you, Beth, so much. It's always a pleasure and this was so much fun. Uh, but it helps folks see that logistics and creativity are not opposites. They're partners. And if you join today's, um, enjoyed today's episode. Please give us a follow and share it with someone who is gearing up for their first install.

And definitely remember, [00:10:00] it's not just about getting the art on the wall, it's about making sure it's hung safely on time and exactly where it belongs. Thank you for tuning in to On the Move. See you next time. Until then, don't stress call the best.