Uttermost Wall Art: Designer Brand Collection Reviews

Okay so I’ve been working with Uttermost pieces for like three years now and honestly their wall art collection is one of those things where you really gotta know what you’re looking at because the price points are ALL over the place and quality varies more than you’d think from a designer brand.

The Hand-Painted Canvas Situation

Their hand-painted stuff is where they really shine but also where you can get burned if you’re not careful. I just hung the “Catch of the Day” piece in a client’s beach house last month and the texture is insane – like you can see every brushstroke, the layers of paint are actually dimensional. But here’s the thing, some of their “hand-painted” pieces are more like hand-touched? Where they’re clearly printed and then someone went over parts with actual paint. Not necessarily bad but you’re paying $400-800 for these so you should know what you’re getting.

The way I check now is I always ask to see them in person or I order from places with really good return policies because the online photos don’t show you the texture detail. My dog knocked over a whole stack of samples once and I was actually glad because I could see the canvas quality when they were all piled up – some are mounted on solid wood frames and others are the cheaper stretched canvas that can warp in humidity.

Which Hand-Painted Collections Are Worth It

• The Modern Art series with the black frames – these are consistently good, I’ve never gotten a dud
• Their abstract geometric ones, especially anything by Grace Feyock (she’s their in-house designer and her stuff just hits different)
• The oversized florals BUT only if you’re getting them at least 40×40 inches, the smaller versions look cheap for some reason

Metal Wall Art Is Hit or Miss

So funny story, I ordered their “Maynia Abstract Metal Wall Decor” for a modern farmhouse project and when it arrived I thought they sent me the wrong thing because it looked SO different from the website. The bronze finish was way more copper-toned in person and it actually worked better than what I thought I was getting? But that’s the gamble with their metal pieces.

The sculptural metal art they do – especially the botanical designs and the geometric stuff – can look really high-end in the right space. I used their metal leaves collection in a stairway last year and people always ask about it. The shadows they cast are gorgeous during golden hour which sounds cheesy but it’s true. However their smaller metal pieces under $200 tend to feel lightweight and kinda hollow? You know that sound when you tap something and it’s clearly not solid? Yeah.

Metal Pieces That Actually Deliver

The “Micayla” panels – these are the layered metal ones with the bronze and silver tones. I’ve bought these like four times for different projects and they’re consistently hefty and well-made. The “Maple Leaves” set is also solid, my client canceled last minute once so I just hung them in my own dining room and they still look great two years later.

Oh and another thing – their industrial metal pieces with the riveted look? Those photograph terribly online but look amazing in person, especially in loft-style spaces or modern offices.

The Mirror and Wall Decor Hybrids

This is gonna sound weird but some of their best pieces aren’t technically “art” – they’re these mirror combinations with metal frames that function as both decoration and mirrors. The “Zakaria” collection does this really well where it’s geometric shapes with antiqued mirror insets. I spilled an entire latte on my catalog when I was reviewing these which actually made me look closer at the finish details and realize the antiqued mirror technique they use is way more sophisticated than competitors.

Wait I forgot to mention – if you‘re looking at anything with mirror elements, check if it’s actual antiqued mirror or if it’s printed to look antiqued. Uttermost usually does real antiqued mirror but their lower-priced lines sometimes fake it.

Wood and Mixed Media Collections

Their wood art is interesting because it’s either absolutely gorgeous or looks like something from HomeGoods, there’s no middle ground. The “Lanciano” wood wall art pieces with the carved details are legitimately impressive – I have one in my office and the depth of the carving is substantial. You run your hand over it and it feels expensive.

But then they have these wood pieces that are basically printed canvas mounted on wood frames and those are… fine? They’re not terrible but you’re paying a premium for the Uttermost name when you could get similar at West Elm for less.

Mixed Media Winners

• Anything combining metal with natural stone or agate – the “On The Rocks” series is surprisingly cool
• Wood and metal combinations where both materials are substantial, not just veneer
• Their dimensional wood pieces that are actually carved, not just routed

Size and Scale Considerations Because This Matters

Okay so something I learned the hard way – Uttermost’s dimensions on their website include the frame and sometimes include a lot of empty space in the composition. I ordered what I thought was a 36-inch piece for above a console and the actual art part was more like 28 inches with a thick frame. Not wrong, just not what I expected.

Their “sets” are also tricky. Sometimes a three-piece set means three same-sized pieces, sometimes it’s two small and one large, and the spacing they show in staged photos is usually not realistic for normal ceiling heights. I always mock things up with paper templates first now because I’ve been burned by this too many times.

The Collections Worth Prioritizing

If you’re gonna invest in Uttermost wall art, these are the lines I keep coming back to:

1. Grace Feyock’s abstract work – she really understands color theory and her palettes work in multiple design styles
2. The “Uttermost Art” collection specifically (I know that sounds redundant) – this is their higher-end curated line and quality control is better
3. Anything in their “metal sculpture” category over $300 – below that price point gets inconsistent
4. Their oversized statement pieces – this is where they compete well with custom art at better price points

What To Actually Avoid

Real talk, skip their printed art on paper under glass. It’s literally just prints you could get anywhere else but marked up. Unless you really love the frame, it’s not worth it. I’ve compared their prints to similar ones from online print shops and couldn’t justify the 3x price difference.

Also their “wood wall panels” that are clearly laser-cut MDF with stain – these feel cheap in person even though they photograph okay. And anything that’s described as “wall decor” instead of “wall art” tends to be their lower tier stuff that’s more about filling space than making a statement.

The Finish Quality Thing Nobody Talks About

I was watching The Crown while unpacking a huge Uttermost order last week and started really looking at the finishes because I had nothing else to do during the boring episodes. Their antique silver and gold finishes are really well done – they use actual layering techniques not just spray paint. But their “champagne” and “brushed nickel” finishes can look builder-grade in the wrong lighting.

The distressed finishes are good though – like genuinely distressed not just sanded randomly. You can tell someone actually thought about where wear patterns would naturally occur.

Installation Stuff You Gotta Know

Their hanging hardware is usually decent but not always appropriate for the weight. I’ve had pieces that came with basic sawtooth hangers when they really needed French cleats. Always check the actual weight and upgrade hardware if needed – drywall anchors at minimum, wall studs if you can find them.

The multi-panel sets sometimes come with a template which is amazing, but sometimes they don’t and you’re left eyeballing it. Ask customer service if a template is available before you start drilling holes.

Where To Buy For Best Prices

Don’t buy directly from Uttermost’s website unless you absolutely have to. Authorized retailers like Lighting New York, Bellacor, and even Wayfair carry their stuff at 20-40% off retail pretty much always. I have a whole spreadsheet comparing prices across sites because I’m that person apparently.

Estate sales and consignment shops sometimes have Uttermost pieces for crazy cheap because people don’t always recognize the brand. I found a $600 metal sculpture at an estate sale for $75 once and it’s now in my living room.

Oh and their customer service is actually pretty helpful if you get a damaged piece – they’ve replaced things for me without hassle. Just document everything with photos right when you unpack.