West and Willow Review: Are These Pet Portraits Worth Your Money?
The Backstory Behind West and Willow‘s Adorable Pet Portraits
West and Willow was founded in 2019 by Ben Lebowitz when he was unable to find a pet portrait that matched his home decor aesthetic. Based in New York City, the company has quickly grown thanks largely to social media and word-of-mouth, attracting over 200,000 Instagram followers.
The idea for the business came about when Lebowitz commissioned an artist to capture his French bulldog Zoey on canvas. He loved the portrait so much that he realized other pet owners would appreciate similar high-quality artwork to proudly display their furry friends at home.
Since launching around 3 years ago, West and Willow has expanded its product line to include custom illustrations of dogs, cats and other pets like rabbits on archival paper or canvas. The company has also built out a talented team of artists to keep up with demand.
Overview: How West and Willow‘s Pet Portraits Work
West and Willow aims to create modern pet portraits that capture your pet‘s personality while seamlessly blending into your home‘s aesthetic. Here‘s an overview of how it works:
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Select photo(s) of your pet and choose from one or two subjects up to three subjects
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Customize backdrop color and frame or poster only
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Pick size ranging from 8"x10" up to 18"x24"
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Provide additional details or special requests for the artist
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Artist illustrates pet portrait and includes name
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Receive gallery-ready fine art portrait within estimated 2-4 week timeframe
One aspect that sets West and Willow apart is the ability to completely customize the end product. In addition to sizes and orientations, you can select from solid color or limited edition backdrops.
The company also offers a selection of on-trend frames or you can opt to just purchase the poster alone. This is great if you want to match existing decor or put your own special spin by framing it yourself.
Another special touch is that they‘ll print your pet‘s name in their signature font at the bottom, really personalizing the feel of the portrait print.
Unboxing Your Custom Pet Portrait: What to Expect
Based on West and Willow reviews, most customers have really positive unboxing experiences receiving their custom pet portraits.
The portraits come packaged in sturdy cardboard boxes to prevent bending or damage. The high quality archival paper ensures vivid colors will last for years without fading.
For framed prints, the premium frames have thick wood construction with plexiglass to protect the artwork. Everything arrives ready to hang, which really streamlines the process.
Many reviews gush over that initial reveal, with pet parents often shedding tears of joy and running to show everyone the finished portrait of their fur baby immortalized in art form! It‘s clear that West and Willow perfectly captures the spirit of beloved pets for an emotional first viewing.
Cost Breakdown: How Much Do West and Willow‘s Portraits Cost?
Size & Subject Combinations
- 8"x10" (1 pet subject): $83
- 11‘x14" (1 pet subject): $116
- 12"x16" (1 pet subject): $133
- 16"x20" (up to 2 pet subjects): $166
- 18"x24" (up to 3 pet subjects): $199
Frames
- Contemporary Thin Frame in White or Black: $30-$55 depending on size
- Premium Classic Frame in White or Black: $60-$116 depending on size
Backdrop Colors
- White, Gray, Black – Complimentary
- Limited Edition backdrops – Additional $25
Additional Customization Options
- Digital Download: $10 for hi-res digital file
- Added Pet Subject: $20 per additional pet
- Skip The Line: $30 to expedite order
Shipping Costs
- Free shipping in US for order total over $100
- $10 flat rate shipping fee under $100 order total
- Shipping rates to Canada, Australia and UK $15
- Shipping to Europe $20
As you can see, there‘s quite a bit of flexibility across size configurations and customization choices. Overall, West and Willow provides exceptional value at reasonable prices compared to traditional custom pet portrait artists.
Unleashing More Details: West and Willow Pet Portrait Specifics
What types of pets can be captured?
West and Willow specializes in dogs and cats, but can also create custom portraits of other domestic animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and more. Simply send them a high quality photo to determine if your pet can be illustrated.
How many pets can be included?
Depending on the size you choose, you can include 1-3 pets:
- 8"x10": Option for 1 subject
- 11‘x14" and 12"x16": Option for 1 subject
- 16"x20": Option for up to 2 subjects
- 18"x24": Option for up to 3 subjects
For each additional pet over the limit, you‘ll pay an extra $20 per pet subject.
What style are the custom pet portraits?
West and Willow‘s signature illustration style features bright pops of color with playful, abstract backgrounds. The artists capture the most endearing details of your pet‘s face and expression.
It‘s a distinctly modern take on pet portraiture compared to more traditional realistic or painterly styles. This allows the portraits to seamlessly blend in with a variety of contemporary home decors.
What type of paper do they use?
The team prints the pet portraits on thick, archival matte paper that‘s meant to last. It‘s water and tear resistant to withstand the test of time even with rowdy pets around!
Do the frames come with hanging equipment?
Yes, all framed prints from West and Willow come with hooks and nails needed to mount on your wall. The portable prints do not come with hanging supplies.
What are the frame and mat options?
There are two premium frame options finished in either white or black wood:
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Thin Contemporary Frame: Perfectly complements the minimalist modern design
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Classic Thick Frame: Gorgeous substantial frame for a more polished gallery feel
Both framed options come with plexiglass over the print rather than traditional glass. This prevents any chance of shattering and is much safer for homes with pets and kids.
There is no mat option, creating clean lines showcasing just the pet portrait print alone. But the frames do have wide borders for a bit of separation between the art and wall.
Can you customize the pet name font?
Yes, you have the option to change the font, size or remove your pets‘ names from the illustration completely.
What is the "Skip The Line" feature?
For an additional $30 rush fee, West and Willow will expedite your custom order, moving it immediately to the front of the production queue. This means your pet‘s portrait will get first priority from the artists but does not impact shipping time.
Paw-some Reviews from Real Pet Parents
West and Willow has an impressive 9,800+ verified reviews on their website with an average rating of 9.8 out of 10.
Here‘s a sampling of the enthusiastic feedback pet owners have posted after receiving their custom portraits:
"This picture of my sweet boy Charles arrived today and it‘s perfect! It currently has a place of honor above my mantle and I couldn‘t be happier. Great quality, shipped faster than expected and incredible likeness from photo to portrait." – Samantha R.
"I purchased this for my wife for Christmas. As soon as she opened it she cried with joy and wanted to hang it immediately. We love this product and will buy more." – Daniel L.
"I‘ve ordered 4 pet portraits from West and Willow over the past year. Each one has been such an incredible work of art capturing my fur babies‘ cute little personalities. Plus they look so good all framed together on the wall." – Amanda P.
While most reviews on TrustPilot and the Better Business Bureau are also positive, there were a handful of customers reporting issues with long delays or inaccurate final portraits. However, the West and Willow team seems very responsive to feedback and resolving any problems reported.
How Does West and Willow Compare to Pet Portrait Competition?
There are certainly no shortage of custom pet portrait options available from independent artists to online retailers. So how does West and Willow stand apart from competitors?
Quality & Detail
When it comes to accurately capturing pet details like unique fur patterns and endearing facial expressions, West and Willow is top-notch. The visual likeness between photo inspiration and final product is extremely impressive.
Style & Design
The modern graphic approach really makes these portraits pop while seamlessly blending with current home decor trends. They have also perfected the product specs from archival paper selection to premium frames.
Range of Sizes & Customization Choices
From small 8"x10" prints up to expansive 24" statements pieces, West and Willow provides outstanding flexibility. Plus all the customization options for frames, mats and embellishment availability.
Customer Service
The majority of customers report exceptionally positive experiences not just with the end product but also interactions with the West and Willow team. They provide friendly, timely support via email and messaging.
Value
While West and Willow sits at a premium price point, the quality of materials, construction andgraphic design align with positioning. When factoring in customization options and rapid fulfillment, the value is very competitive especially compared to commissioned art.
Speed
In an age of impatience, West and Willow delivers with most orders processed with their 2-4 week timeframe after order confirmation. Some independent artists can take 4 weeks just to complete an initial sketch!
When weighing all considerations from portrait quality to customer service and production time, West and Willow stands out as a leader in the custom pet portrait space.
Unleashing the Verdict: Are West and Willow‘s Pet Portraits Worth Your Investment?
If you‘ve made it this far reading my extensive West and Willow review, you‘re likely seriously considering a custom portrait to celebrate your furry family member. So the big questions remains: are these pet portraits worth the investment?
In my opinion as both a pet parent and art enthusiast, West and Willow provides exceptional value. The level of customization paired with vibrant, on-trend design give you the most personalized fine art piece to cherish your pet.
The team of talented artists capture the smallest details like the glint in your cat‘s eyes or your dog‘s goofy grin that perfectly encapsulates their personality.
While the starting prices may cause some sticker shock, remember this is a specialized custom product made just for you. When comparing the exceptional quality against standard big box store art prints or posters, West and Willow portraits are certainly worth the extra spend.
Beyond just displaying your admiration for your furry BFF, these pet portraits double as conversation-starting standout wall decor. No matter which room you decide to hang it, the playful pops of color and whimsical style add a fun focal element.
So if you ask me "are West and Willow pet portraits worth it?": My resounding response echoes the reactions of customers as they excitedly unveil their custom creations – a big YES! Just be prepared to be so in love you‘ll soon be itching to order another.
Pet Portrait Pending: Final Thoughts on West and Willow Reviews
Hopefully this extensive brand review gives you all the details needed to determine if West and Willow‘s modern custom pet portraits are the perfect fit for your home. From an overview of the company to a deep dive on product specs, pricing and value comparisons – I aimed to provide a comprehensive resource.
As a final recommendation, If you want a custom gift to surprise a pet-obsessed friend or family member, a West and Willow portrait would certainly leave them bow-wowed. And be sure to check the website for any promotions or seasonal sales around special events or holidays for the best deal.
After reading West and Willow reviews across dozens of sites, it’s clear that customers largely have rave reviews. But reviews shouldn‘t make the final verdict for you. Be sure to check out some of the customization options and visuals on the West and Willow site for yourself.
And if you have any other questions before purchasing, I highly recommend reaching out to their top-notch customer service team via email or chat. They are more than happy to provide guidance to ensure complete satisfaction.
Now it’s your turn! Have you ordered a custom pet portrait from West and Willow or a competitor? I‘d love to hear your thoughts and see photos of your furry muses immortalized in art form. Let me know in the comments!
