As the main artist and business owner for Casart Coverings, I love to create artwork as wallcovering, but the best part about what I do is the co-creation. This is the customization of a design with the creative collaboration and input from our customer. Co-creation has resulted in many happy interior designers using Casart wallcovering to customize their projects. Many residential clients have also benefited from this process.
There are many examples we could show but we’ll focus on a few projects with interior designers in mind.
“We’d be delighted to do that!”
You can thank interior designer Ken Fulk for his inquiry to use our Tortoiseshell 2 design, which was only offered in red at the time, because we now currently offer it in a natural colorway. It was a simple request: could we make the Tortoiseshell 2 design in the same natural colorway as the Tortoiseshell 1 design? “Yes, of course, we’d be delighted to do this,” was our answer. Because of this easy-enough-to-ask question, Legendary Records restaurant in Manhattan has a glam powder room and Casart’s customers can now purchase a popular design in an even more sought-after color.
Harriet’s Giant Chopsticks Mural
The move from the U.S. to Hong Kong for Harriet and her family was exciting, but there were some downsides — like her children not really knowing how to use chopsticks! As you can imagine, this posed some difficulties at the dining room table. Harriet, an interior designer, came up with the brilliant idea to construct a wall mural of giant hands holding chopsticks to teach her children how to use them. The artwork also coordinated nicely and added character to her contemporary-styled apartment. Once the artist’s permission was in place to use their artwork, I collaborated with Harriet to construct a layout that worked — not only visually but mechanically — with Casart’s 52″ wide wallcovering. Several proofs and edits were approved before 5 custom panels were printed of various widths to accommodate one long wall. We sent a complete set of instructions with numbered rolls so the installation could be clearly understood and completed hassle-free. She even turned the application of the wallcovering into a family activity, which helped to enhance the appreciation of the artwork with engagement in the installation. Check out the video Harriet filmed!
“We got the mural up today. Looks great!” — Harriet
Collaboration Leads to Creative Partnerships
We want to mention two supporters of Casart Covering’s effort, interior designers Mary Douglas Drysdale and Libby Langdon, both of whom are exceptional creative designers in their own right. We can’t thank them enough for all their generosity over the years.
Over seven years ago, I met with Mary Douglas Drysdale to show her some of my decorative finishes along with Casart self-adhesive wallcovering. She loved the concept of self-adhesive wallpaper. She immediately got it — the possibility of what Casart wallcoverings meant for the convenience in using wallpaper in a non-traditional way. I mentioned that I could create custom colors. We immediately began co-creating a line of Drysdale Signature Colors using Casart Coverings’ Faux Linen and Colorwash designs. It’s been a beautiful collaboration and wonderful ongoing partnership and friendship that we’ve thoroughly enjoyed. We’ve each benefited from the other’s expertise and once we helped Mary get started on several social media platforms, she took off and running, far eclipsing our ability. It’s been great to see so much success with her fan-base, as we are members too!
“The color is custom and the service is top…Ashley is a wonderful painter, creator, inventor and person.” — Mary Douglas Drysdale
A couple of years later, I was traveling to High Point International Interior Design Trade Show with my mother. This was before she retired as my business partner. We met Libby Langdon, another celebrity interior designer, who was giving a lecture. We went up to have her sign her book and struck up a friendship. We called her later to discuss the possibility of offering her designs as one of our collections. We subsequently collaborated and many beautiful interiors have benefited from Libby’s gorgeous, geometric-patterned wallpaper, including for her own clients. We worked with Libby to ensure the designs printed as she expected in the colors and patterns intended with repeats that create a harmonious and lively look.
“The ease of use makes it a favorite of ours. Our clients love the finished result and like the fact that it’s not permanent.” — Libby Langdon
We take great pleasure at Casart Coverings in the collaboration with all these creative participants and many more, who have helped expand our wallcovering offerings. Their involvement makes work fun and enjoyable knowing they get to use Casart wallcovering to add personality to their interiors. This collaboration in turn has enriched my ability to co-create with others. I’m truly grateful; working with other creative individuals and seeing the results is be the best reward. The interior designers and other purchasers who have customized their wallcoverings have all praised both our customer service and the quality of our wallcovering, which makes the visual difference in their projects to stand out from the norm.
Co-creation is a win-win concept for both the manufacturer and the customer. With so much “sameness” out there, no wonder companies like Apple are trying to individualize their products with consumer involvement in mind. Example, unlocking your smart phone with your face, or purchasing with a look. Crazy, no? Just a way to increase security, but also to personalize their product for each individual’s use. It’s a business trend we see increasing and one we like. No wonder Forbes wrote, back in 2016, “Customer Co-creation is the Secret Sauce to Success.” Well, we’ve been thinking so too! 😉
Whether you’re a professional interior designer or an aspiring artist with a vision, I invite you to contact us at contact at casartcoverings.com to begin our creative collaboration. I look forward to speaking with you! — Ashley
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