Christmas Gift Ideas and the Need to Plan Ahead

At this time of year we often receive calls from parents trying to find the perfect gift for their child’s bedroom and so we wanted to share with you some of the choices people have made.

Rabbit Door knob Willow Door Knob

We are currently making a rabbit passageway set for a Santa delivery in New Hampshire. Thankfully Santa enlisted some advice from a local door and lock installer who helped with tricky issues like dealing with a very old and thin door. The installer understood that a narrow 1 1/4” thick door may be a problem for the latch mechanism as the tongue of the latch in this case was 1” but being a skilled professional he felt that with Santa’s good cheer he would be able make a hole in the door with a 1/8” to spare on either side of the latch. Phew, Santa was wise to plan ahead!

Of course there is nothing wrong in a little self-gifting but the adage always plan ahead is equally true. In this instance, as Santa was not involved, the home owner asked for our help in deciding what to order to replace her old very dilapidated kitchen and dining room door knobs. The doors did not have latches but were held shut by a roller catch or closet door ball catch at the top of the door.  The customer did not want to change the catch so we steered her towards dummy knobs that could be attached on each side of the door by screwing through the knob plate into the door, a low tech but good way of adding beautiful knobs to her kitchen and dining room doors.

When to Use a Door Knob Versus a Door Lever?

When to choose a door knob versus a door lever? When it comes to truly custom hardware where a design is being created for a specific project then the choice between a door lever and door knob is largely a question of taste and budget and less a question of function. If the door knob or lever is being created from the drawing board on-wards then some of the limitations off each can be overcome by a creative design.

Door knobs by nature are a handles that can be turned either clockwise or anti-clockwise to release the door latch. By comparison a door lever unless it is operating a multi-point lock has to be depressed to release the latch. This can be an important issue when designing for the kitchen or other wet areas and when designing for the disabled. A lever has the upper hand so to speak when your hands are wet or full of shopping as it can be depressed with ones elbow or possibly with one’s foot! Clearly for those with limited gripping strength, a door lever has clear advantages.

The textured tree canopy is a good gripping surface

Door levers are also directional with the lever pointing away from the latch towards the hinge and this can be an important consideration when working with a narrow stile. In this case when you grip a knob your knuckles may come too close to the door jamb especially when the door is being pulled closed .  By comparison the area of a door lever that is gripped is typically at midpoint along the lever and a safe distance from the door jamb.

A symmetrical aesthetic inspired by Netsuke

So why do we ever use door knobs? Well they are inherently more self- contained and less obtrusive than there lever counterparts and they arguably  make a more symmetrical  aesthetic statement. In the world of custom door hardware as knobs are not usually directional one knob pattern and mold will be needed unlike a custom door lever which frequently requires a left and right pattern and corresponding molds.

HOUSING TRENDS AND DOOR HARDWARE CHOICES

We have lived through the Great Recession and appear at least on the housing scene, to be close to pre- 2007 levels for home prices and new construction. This bodes well for the construction industry and by extension those of us involved in making door hardware and lighting.

We look at housing trends so that we can assess who is buying what. It is useful to know that millenials account for 35% of all purchases and that they are buying homes in the 1,200 s.f. to 1,650 s.f. range and that both younger and older baby boomers are downsizing so they too are looking at smaller houses. Both groups seem to prefer more open spaces and more baby boomers now need a home/office as they are deferring retiring, or at least moving some of their work home.

Small but tactile cabinet knob helps define a home/office

As a designer of door handles the move to smaller housing may mean fewer Mc Mansions but it may mean more carefully selected door handles chosen specifically and with thoughtfulness to define a particular space. In reality, as a US manufacturer and because we only cast in premium stainless steel and silicon bronze, our work was and still is necessarily “high end”.  So even in the heyday of the McMansions our work was more commonly used as the statement piece for the entry door or decorative accompaniment to the guest bedrooms or the master suite. In short I feel the trend towards smaller is a positive one with door hardware being chosen for key areas based on style, durability and  with a focus on a eclectic mix of designs.

Sources used by the writer in this post included:

Neil Irwin’s piece: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/24/upshot/the-housing-market-is-finally-starting-to-look-healthy.html

And; https://www.nahb.org/en/research/design/housing-trends-for-baby-boomers.aspx

Post written by Anne Lauder

Dissecting door hardware

Door knob from the Ergo Collection of custom hardware from Martin Pierce Custom Hardware

When is a door knob just a door knob?  Never!  There are several components that come together with the end result being the door knob you or your customers take for granted several times every single day.

If you were to dissect a door knob you would find:

• Door Lever – you depress the door lever or turn the knob to activate the locking mechanism. There are springs inside the lever and knob that return it to its resting position

• Back plate - also known as an escutcheon plate. This is the decorative metal cover that usually conceals the mechanism that allows allows the door lever to function. Each manufacturer has their own way of making the lever functional but there is a lot of commonality.  For example, the “stem” end of our door levers is cast and machined so that it is a square hole that accommodates an 8 mm square spindle. This “8mm on the square” spindle has its roots in Europe but most of the really top notch American lock companies, the premier being Accurate lock, use this configuration in their mortise locks so we have too. Alternatively the spindle can be diamond shaped and is often 7mm. One end of the spindle fits snugly into the end of the lever or knob and it is held in place by various springs, screws and clips. The other end passes through a hole in the back plate and then goes through the door into the lock regardless of whether it is a mortise or tubular lock, and then passes through to the end of the lever on the other side of the door. 

• Rose - typically used for door knobs it is the equivalent of the back plate but, as its name suggests it is round in shape.  Many of our custom decorative roses are organic and tend to be irregular in shape.  The rose is also used to house the cylinder lock, again serving the purpose of concealing the moving parts.

• As with many items we encounter in our daily lives, you can see that an ordinary door knob is anything but ordinary and involves a great deal of creativity to make them work properly and in an attractive way.

• If you would like to see some of the pieces shown above or view our entire collection of architectural  hardware, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Custom or off the rack?

While we all enjoy a good bargain is it always the best idea?  Are you really getting more bang for your buck when you purchase an item that looks a lot like a more expensive item but is much cheaper? While we understand that custom hardware is expensive, there are many reasons to consider a custom item:

• A well-made item will, in most cases, operate much better than its less expensive cousin.  Is it worth saving some money only to have to tuggle with a door knob or locking mechanism time after time?
• Function is of utmost importance but appearance ranks a close second.  Interesting or unique hardware says something about you--it says you understand the value of small details in your home.  Designers understand this and often choose custom architectural hardware for their projects.
• Many people enjoy owning something that is unique to their home whether it be a piece of artwork, bespoke furniture item or custom hardware designed with their personality, hobbies, interests in mind.
• Add personality to your space or create an unforgettable first impression with custom entry door hardware.  A beautiful set crafted of oil rubbed bronze is nice but how much more impressive would an item from our custom Willow collection be?

You decide----

This standard polished chrome interior door knob off the rack:

Or our high polished, hand cast, stainless steel knob from our Textured collection?

What set says more about you and your personality?  This lovely and certainly sufficient oil rubbed entry set?

Or this amazingly detailed entryway set from our Grapevine collection?

This off the rack cabinet hardware that certainly has an interesting texture and design

Or one of our hand-made daisy, bee or gecko pulls?

To view all of these items and our entire collection of custom hardware, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.

Let's talk about the bathroom

Sometimes function just has to take precedence over everything else and that is certainly true with the bathroom ; but function does not have to mean unattractive or ordinary! Whether it is an ensuite bath in a hotel room, a small powder room off of a home's foyer, private bath compartments in a spa or a large and luxurious master bath, choosing unique hardware can turn this utilitarian room into a true retreat. The bath provides many opportunities to showcase custom hardware--cabinet door and drawer pulls, door knobs and window levers, for example.  In addition, there is a need for towel racks, coat hooks, soap dishes and tissue holders.  Here at Martin Pierce Custom Hardware we offer coordinating accessories in some of our most popular hardware styles:

The unusual design of our Morphic soap dish will add an air of elegance and mystique to any bath area.

The coat hook from our Hedgerow Collection is truly a miniature work of art that functions as a robe or towel hook in the bath and coordinates with all other pieces from this collection.

Bath tissue never looked so good as when stored on the tissue holder from our sculptural Ergo collection.

You can choose a design from our Hedgerow, Morphic or Ergo collection or we can create a style that echoes and celebrates your brand and is unique to your project.  To view the entire collection please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Martin Pierce's inspiring vacation

We are currently on vacation in England for a couple of weeks and enjoying the opportunity to visit family and friends as it has been quite some time since we have returned home. It is a well-known fact that England is known for her beautiful gardens and magnificent countryside.  This lush countryside has always provided inspiration for Martin's work.  In fact, one of our favorite collections, the Hedgerow line, was inspired by the lovely bushes and trees that line the roads here in England.

If you would like to add just a touch of English garden design to your home decor, might we suggest a new addition to your front door with the Hedgerow entryway lever:

Something as seemingly simple as a door knob can alter the look and feel of any space.

Our commercial clients can add that unique touch that sets them apart from the competition with beautiful fixtures and hardware that their discriminating clients have come to expect.  Spas, nursing homes, luxury hotels and exclusive boutiques will enjoy not only the Hedgerow hardware line but the accompanying items that include coat hooks,soap dishes, towel racks and the ever important tissue holder.

We hope to return from England rested and refreshed and full of inspiring ideas from our trip.  Where do you find your creative inspiration?

For more information on these new products, view our complete line of hardware and get the latest news on what is happening at Martin Pierce, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com

Martin Pierce Custom Hardware: You won't need any bugspray for these critters

Bugs and other garden critters are one of those things you either love or you hate.  But there is nothing creepy about our hardware collection of bugs, butterflies, bees and the occasional frog or lizard.  This lizard pull from our Animal collection would delight any budding young scientist in your family or add an unexpected greeting to the entryway of your nursery or pet shop business.

Our bright and shiny frog pull is always a popular giveaway in our HD Expo booth every year. 

Ancient Egyptians used the scarab beetle as amulets that represented many different Gods, earth cycles etc.  We have designed both a large and small scarab beetle pull that can be incorporated into the interior of your home or business.

If you have visited Hawaii or other tropical areas you are very familiar with the friendly geckos that can be found everywhere.  Relive those pleasant vacation memories with our Gecko pull.

For more information on these new products, view our complete line of hardware and get the latest news on what is happening at Martin Pierce, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com

Feng Shui of shapes found at Martin Pierce Custom Hardware

Many of us are already familiar with the impact the use of the art of feng shui can have on our lives trough the use of certain colors, placement of items and nature's elements of water, fire, wood,earth and metal.  But did you know that certain shapes can also affect the "feeling" of a room? According to feng shui experts, each of the five elements of feng shui have a coordinating shape.  For example, if you are trying to introduce the element of water into your space and are having difficulty adding a fountain or other water element, try a wavy shape to the room.  This can be in the form of artwork, fabric patterns or door and drawer hardware such as those found in our Ergo collection.  The beauty and simplicity of this design can certainly bring tranquility to any room in your home or business.

The exciting fire element can be introduced through the use of triangular shapes.  Try our Bamboo pull with its triangular shaped leaves or the unique and unusual conical pull from the Textured collection.

The element of metal can be found in round shapes that are present in many of our designs.  Round door knobs and pulls in luxurious bronze metal is an easy way to add  both a round and metal element to your spaces.

The earth element correlates to square shapes and wood to rectangular shapes.  Along with our readily available collections, custom pieces can be created to meet your exacting needs.  Who knows, the ancient art of feng shui just might change the look and feel of your space so isn't it worth a try?

For more information on these new products, view our complete line of hardware and get the latest news on what is happening at Martin Pierce, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com

Celebrate summer with whimsical Martin Pierce custom hardware

Today is the first day of summer.  Time to slow down a bit and enjoy the lazy days of summer.  Take a late afternoon walk on the beach, watch the sunset with your favorite person or simply find the time to read a book in the middle of the day! Summer is also a time of great inspiration for Martin.  He has always enjoyed capturing the look and feel of all the creatures that can be found in nature.  Need a lizard for your son's bedroom doors?  How about a wonderful bunny for that newborn nursery or a selection of beetles for a sunroom.  We have them all in our Netsuke, Lizard, Flora and Animal collections.  Check them out:

martin pierce bunny knob

martin pierce bee knob

martin pierce lizard lever