Let's talk Oscar nominations!

With the big party just five days away it is always fun to take a look at the Academy Award nominations and, since this is a design blog,  see if there is any way the nominees add value, other than entertainment,  to our everyday lives, products etc. One of the most anticipated and nominated movies this year was, of course, "Les Miserables", basically Victor Hugo's french novel put to music.  Did you see it?  It is set in Paris during the early to mid-19th century and Paris architecture and everyday life has a big role in the movie.  Dark and gritty at times, it portrays an urban side of french culture that we do not often associate with the city of love and lights, Paris.  Production designer Eve Stewart adds a sense of realism that is quite extraordinary.  But how does any of this relate to custom hardware?  It provides design inspiration, for one thing.  This scene from the Rue Plumet garden is full of plants and foliage that could inspire another hardware collection similar to our Hedgerow collection that was inspired by the English countryside.  You must admit those purple flowers are beautiful!

Do you think Jean ValJean would appreciate the beauty that something like our Willow collection might add to the beautiful bedroom of Cosette?

This is obviously all a bit tongue-in-cheek but we hope you enjoy watching the awards show and also take the time to appreciate the value a great set with amazing details adds to a movie, just as great details add to the overall look and function of your home or business.

HD Expo 2013 and update on custom hardware naming contest

As we have mentioned, we are preparing for our third annual trip to the Hospitality Design Expo (HD Expo) in hot and sunny Las Vegas.  We will be exhibiting our custom hardware  products and are excited to be debuting several new pieces that we believe will meet the needs of many of you in the hospitality and design field. This exposition is always a fun event as well as an opportunity to reconnect with old friends in the industry and hopefully meet new faces along the way.  One of the pieces that will be making its debut is our new Ergo Extended Door handle seen below.

The curvy and sensuous shape is not only beautiful but functional as well.  The smooth curves make it easy to grasp, a major plus for those interested in meeting the needs of an older or physically challenged clientele.  We are hoping to rename this piece with a more descriptive moniker provided by visitors to our blog and/or facebook fans.  If you have a good recommendation for a  new name to replace "extended door handle" we would love to hear it.  Just remember, "Ergo" needs to be in the new name.  You could be the winner of two of our beautiful mushroom drawer pulls to use in your home or business.

And if you are attending the HD Expo, please be sure to stop by our booth.  There will be plenty of eye-candy and maybe a surprise or two.  As always, you can view our entire collection or contact us for bespoke orders at www.martinpierce.com.

A new resource for hospitality designers and their discriminating clientele

We have recently partnered with Interior Design Pro to showcase our custom hardware to you, a hospitality, hotel or entertainment designer who serves a discriminating clientele.  Your clients are looking for distinctive pieces that will set their business apart from the competition and, by visiting this site you can closely view many of our pieces. Many of our collections have been specifically designed for use in senior living facilities, for example.  Our Ergo collection features an easy to grasp design that is available in both a left and right hand version.  And, while we show a shiny stainless steel finish, you have your choice of finishes.

Other collections include our Willow, Hedgerow and Grapevine designs that would be a perfect addition to any hotel, winery, restaurant, spa or even a luxury yacht or sailing vessel.  And don't overlook the graphic appeal of our Morphic collection with its unique texture and dimension.

As designers we all know that small details like door and window hardware can turn an ordinary space into an extraordinary experience for visitors and guests.

After visiting our page at Interior Design Pro we look forward to hearing from you.  In the meantime, you can view our entire collection or contact us for bespoke orders at www.martinpierce.com.  And don't forget to check out our "name that hardware" contest on our facebook page.  Further details can be found here.

Limited Edition Aspen Buffet finds a new home

Thanks to ASID  interior designer Margo Montgomery Deane  (650-329-9087) of the San Francisco Bay area,#21 of our limited edition of 30 Aspen buffets has found a new home.

Ms. Deane has great appreciation for the craftsmanship and beauty of this piece and has admired it for many years.  She purchased it from Gaul Searson showrooms, long time supporters of Martin Pierce Hardware.   She was happy to be able to specify it for this special client and felt it "created a visual peace."  Her clients will be retiring and moving to the Lake Tahoe area where the Aspen buffet will happily reside.

A true work of art, the legs and frame of this buffet is crafted of solid walnut with the face and panels made from a vertical grain walnut veneer.  We purposefully lay up the walnut veneer to create a strong vertical direction allowing the piece to visually flow upward.  The natural tones of the wood are then gently lightened with a bleach solution to allow the delicate silver tones of the Aspen trees to stand out.  We apply the ancient japanning technique of inlay to create the aspen trees.  This process certainly makes these pieces edition worthy as it is a bit like buying a limited edition print except that in the case of furniture, each piece is a true original;  unlike a print where copies are created from a master.  We finish it off with our small chiseled pulls in a natural polished bronze.

If you would like to view our complete line of hardware and furniture and get the latest news on what is happening at Martin Pierce, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.  And don't forget our new product naming contest.  You might be the lucky winner of two of our mushroom pulls.

Chinese New Year: 2013 The Year of the Snake

With the arrival of the new moon in February (roughly February 10th), the year of the Snake begins.  The snake is the sixth figure in the Chinese Zodiac  Calendar.

While not as vibrant and significant as the Dragon, the snake is believed to be materialistic.  Depending on how you interpret this, it can mean it is time to shop, shop, shop; good news for retailers and designers!  However, others are saying the snake signals a time for rebuilding and conservation with many economic, climate and political changes ahead.  Wow!

All that being said, the figure of a snake can elicit different reactions from people as most reptiles and insects do.  While we do not have a snake design here at Martin Pierce Custom Hardware we do offer a wide selection of bespoke hardware pieces in both the reptile and insect category for those looking to introduce these very interesting species to their home or business decor.  Here are just a few of the items we offer.  Do you see anything that would interest your hospitality or residential clients?  If not, please contact us and we can come up with a custom design that is just right.

Check out our new video on facebook

Throughout the years we have been the recipient of generous accolades from trusted and respected design sources such as Luxury Home Magazine, Luxury Living Magazine, Architectural Digest and The Washington Post.  Mountain Living may have said it best with "A top shop for outside-the-box designs from rabbits and frogs to grapevinesand willow branches"  With the help of Lauren Lekai at Adgenio we are now able to share some of these testimonials as well as many of our bronze and stainless steel custom hardware products with you in a short and easy to watch video.  Check it out on our facebook page or you can watch it by clicking  here.

The video makes it possible for you to view and share with your clients some of our most popular door knobs, drawer pulls and entry way levers in use.  This includes shots of our very first collection, Hedgerow, as well as our newest Ergo extended door handle in stainless steel.  Please let us know what you think of our foray into the video world and, as always, you can view these and all of our products by visiting our site at www.martinpierce.com.  We look forward to hearing from you.

HD Expo 2013, Martin Pierce Hardware naming contest and you

We will be making our third annual trip to sunny Las Vegas again this year to attend and exhibit at the HD Expo 2013 and while there we will be debuting a few new items;  but we need your help.

One of the items we are excited to debut is our new Ergo Extended Door Handle.  Our original Ergo large door handle was named the "Heroic".   Funny story...when we first came to America many, many years ago we noticed that large door handles always seemed to be called "heroic" so we thought that maybe it was some American tradition or funny use of the word.  Fast forward to the design of our Ergo collection and, in order to fit in,  we named it Heroic.  We have since learned that the word means the same thing in America as it does in England but we liked the sense of noble scale it portrayed and kept the name.  "Ergo" is short for ergonomic and this aptly describes the collection.  It is important in the design of this collection that the hardware pieces fit comfortably in the hand so, therefore, most of the pieces have both left and right handed versions.  Perfect for use in a private residence as well as public spaces that might include health care facilities, retirement communities or spas and hotels.

What we need now is for our readers and followers to put on their creative thinking cap and come up with a suitable name for the new, larger version of the Ergo door handle in lieu of the descriptive but rather boring "extended door handle".  Weighing in at a hefty 10 pounds and measuring an impressive 35 1/4" of solid stainless steel, this dramatic piece can be used as back to back handles on glass doors or anywhere you are looking to make a definite design statement.

The winning entry will be chosen by us and the lucky winner will receive both a left and right mushroom drawer pull from our  custom hardware Flora collection.  These lifelike yet whimsical pulls can be used to update an existing piece of furniture, cabinet door etc.  The only restriction to the new name is that it must contain the word "Ergo" and all entries must be received by us either in the comments section of this blog post or on our facebook page before midnight on March 1, 2013.  We look forward to reading all of your wonderful suggestions.

Most people have five or ten but we have 13 organization and storage tips for 2013

The holidays are over and it is time to get back to the business of work and home.  For many of us, this is the time of year when we take a look at our surroundings and try to figure out a way to organize things and, more importantly, to keep things organized for the whole year.  After all, did you know that 65% of all resolutions are broken within six months?!  Here are a lucky 13 ideas that might help you meet and keep your organization resolution.

1. The biggest key to organization is to regularly throw out what you don't need.  Martin and I have a rule that every time we purchase a  new piece of clothing we have to discard or donate a like item.  For example, one new t-shirt results in an old shirt being donated or re-purposed into cleaning and polishing rags for the business.
2. In order to avoid the hassle of trying to store those cumbersome Christmas tree stands we choose to recycle the stand each year.  Not only does it save us about $6 it also saves some space in the garage.
3. Big box stores like Target and Walmart and specialty stores like The Container Store offer a myriad of drawer and shelf organizers at affordable prices.  Wire shelves can double your shelf space as will compartment drawer organizers.  Imagine how nice it would be to open a drawer and locate exactly what you were looking for on the first try.
4. Find unused space.  There is often plenty of space above your closet rods, in the laundry room or hanging above the cars in the garage.  And don't forget the back of the closet or bathroom door.  And even better, custom storage units for those spaces.
5. Rarely used items should be stored elsewhere moved to make room for everyday pieces in the kitchen and bathroom.  That turkey roaster takes up a lot of valuable space and would be just as comfortable stored in the garage.
6. Underbed storage is valuable real estate.  Store extra blankets and pillows, out of season clothing, toys and games and even those long rolls of Christmas wrap out of sight yet still accessible.
7. Install slide-in shelving under the sink.  This will make it possible to see what you have and avoid duplicate buying of those items that disappear in the cavernous back area of these cabinets.
8. Paper hoarding is a problem many of us have.  Invest in a shredder and use it!  When you check the mail either file it, toss it or shred it.
9. It only takes a second to fold socks together when they come out of the washer.  Imagine the time saved by pulling out a pair of socks vs. having to rummage through the drawer to find the mate.  Simple, yes?
10. Think outside the box.  An ottoman with a removable top is a great place to store purses, casual shoes like flip-flops or even seasonal decorations.
11. Label boxes and shelves, especially those in the garage.  This will make it so much easier to find holiday decos, camping equipment, ski clothing etc.
12. Think ahead.  When the time comes to take down the Christmas lights, take the time to wrap them around an old piece of cardboard.  You will be glad you did come tree decorating time next year.
13. If possible, go behind the walls.  There is hidden storage between the studs of your walls that will not take up valuable floor space.  Find a good contractor or do it yourself and discover space for toiletries, towels, make-up and even display collectibles.

There you have it.....our 13 top storage and organization tips for 2013.  What is your favorite tip?

If you would like to 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 Hardware on the red carpet

While I have never walked a red carpet, our custom hardware collections certainly have!

We are so excited to see our products make their very first appearance in the PORTA Showroom in Saudi Arabia.  This high-end store is the only one of its kind in the area and is a dream come true for Chief Executive Officer of Universal Building Materials (UBM) Raghunath S., and features many of our custom hardware pieces. You can read more about this new showroom in our earlier post.

Items from our Ergo, Hedgerow, Grapevine and Morphic collections all made an appearance.  The display cases are beautiful and make our hardware  show likevaluable and treasured pieces of jewelry!  Martin was very involved in designing the presentation and very pleased with the final outcome.

If you would like to 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.

A new adventure awaits Martin Pierce Hardware

UBM launches "PORTA", a boutique for the finest door                                       hardware, the first of its kind in the Middle East." Thus begins a new chapter for Martin Pierce Custom Hardware.  We are thrilled and proud to be associated with Universal Building materials (UBM) and their CEO, Raghunath, as they open their new store in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia.  According to their press release, "Universal Building Materials has established itself as a pioneer in the construction materials  business of the KSA for more than three decades."

We will be joined by other luxury hardware brands as UBM delivers "door jewelry" to the discriminating designers and architects in the area.  The display areas will provide a real see and touch experience to assist clients in making their buying decisions as you can see by these photos of not only our display but others as well.  We were able to be involved in the display decisions so that our products are shown to their very best advantage.

If you would like to join us on this new adventure, 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.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Martin Pierce Hardware

We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Five easy ways to Have yourself a quiet little Christmas...

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is in full swing.  Television and magazine ads are shouting at us to fill our days and evenings with shopping, wrapping and entertaining along with various other events in order to create a memorable holiday experience.  But many of us enjoy taking this time to spend quiet evenings at home with a loved one, or just a good book, a roaring fire and a wonderful glass of your favorite wine.  Here are five easy ways to celebrate a quiet yet still meaningful holiday:

• Try a new recipe.  There is no rule that says you have to eat the same holiday foods year after year.  Find a  new recipe that incorporates all your favorite ingredients in a new and innovative way.
• Set a beautiful table. This time of year we are inundated with pictures of large gatherings around a family table covered with mountains of food.  But if you find that your party consists of just the two of you and/or another couple or just you by yourself, celebrate the specialness of the day with a beautiful table setting.  Pull out the "good" china and crystal or purchase a set of holiday tableware that can become a new tradition.
• Turn off the television.  Take a trip to your local bookstore and pick up a copy of that new novel you have been dying to read.  Do you have home remodeling plans for next year?  Pick up a book on decorating ideas or a DIY manual and take advantage of the downtime to really peruse the book for some helpful ideas.  Dying to see the new "Anna Karenina" movie?  Maybe now is the time to read the book first.  Or pull out an old favorite and re-discover why it became a favorite.  Better yet, find a copy of one of your favorite books from your younger years and travel back in time...
• Volunteer.  Many of us already give of our time throughout the year but, with some extra time on our hands during the holiday season, try something new by offering your services to an organization.  The USO is always looking for volunteers to help serve our military men and women;  local animal shelters always need dog walkers or even someone to pick up you know what and senior centers love to have volunteers  sit and visit with their residents; our older citizens have wonderful holiday stories that just may renew your faith in the season.
• Entertain.  Entertaining is one of the most enjoyable parts of the holiday season and is still possible even if you are seeking a quiet little Christmas.  In place of that large cocktail party you host every year, invite a few special friends over to try a new signature cocktail and some wonderful appetizers.  How about a good old-fashioned game night with your favorite couple?  Start the evening off with an easy to prepare soup and cornbread meal and end with simple chocolate chip cookies and coffee.  You will still reap the benefits of spending time with your favorite people but avoid the stress and work of a large party.

 However you plan on spending your holidays, we wish you and yours a Merry Christmas!

If you would like to 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.

Travel to Saudi Arabia with us in 2013

Well, we aren't exactly traveling to Saudi Arabia but we are very excited to announce that Martin Pierce Hardware will be showcased by Universal Building Materials stores in Riyadh Saudi Arabia beginning in 2013.  They will be opening their first PORTA outlet and will feature many of our bespoke hardware pieces for their high end residential clients.  Universal  Building Materials is an established and respected supplier of building materials and has had a presence in the area for over thirty years and we are very pleased to be working with them.

This international exposure comes on the tails of our experience in Singapore with the W Hotel that we featured in this post.  We truly are becoming world travellers!

If you would like to 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.

The future looks bright for Martin Pierce Hardware

It is hard to believe that 2012 is coming to an end.  We have certainly had an exciting and fulfilling year here at Martin Pierce Hardware but are really looking forward to what's in store for 2013. Here is just a snippet of what we expect to experience in the next twelve months:

• We will journey once again to Las Vegas in May of 2013 to exhibit at the HD Expo.  This will be our third year exhibiting and we look forward to seeing old friends and making new friends.
• We will be debuting several new pieces some of which will be making their first appearance at the HD Expo.  All I can tell you is that it will be worth the wait for these new hardware designs.  Hospitality and residential designers will all be pleased!
• Bespoke products are always fun and challenging and we have plans to create these wonderful pieces for some of our favorite designers and their clients.  Here's a teaser:

Martin's drawing for a custom drawer pull in the shape of an iguana.  Magnificent!

That is just a bit of what we are looking for in 2013.  What design and business plans are in store for you?

To view our complete  line of hardware and sign up to receive the latest news on what is happening at Martin Pierce, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.

Pantone surprises everyone with 2013 color of the year choice

Color experts from Pantone surprised everyone when they announced the color of the year for 2013 was a rich emerald green.  Everyone expected and, in fact, reported as we did here, that the color of the year would be Monaco Blue.  Perhaps they just wanted to be different from everyone else from Sherwin Williams to Pittsburgh Paints to the world-renowned Color Marketing Group who all chose varying shades of blue as the color to watch for next year

Green is a popular choice as it will satisfy those who are interested in the environment and enjoy eco-friendly living, particularly those involved in designing public spaces such as nursing homes, retirement communities, spas and boutiques.  According to the voices at Pantone, emerald green "..enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."

This rich shade of green is also a very versatile color.  Brass accents look rich and elegant yet when combined with oil rubbed bronze it becomes a cozy and inviting color.  And stainless steel adds the pop of shine necessary in any contemporary setting.  Take a look at these samples and you will see how easy it will be to marry the color  of the year with your hardware finishes.

To 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: The beauty is in the details

Have you ever entered a public building and been struck by the attention to detail in the design of the building?  For example, the city library features hardware that is an exact replica of early twentieth century hardware that celebrates the history of the city, building etc.  Perhaps an ordinary office building has added architectural molding to warm up the voluminous cold spaces that are common to modern buildings.  And it is a wise doctor or lawyer who pays attention to small details such as hardware, paint choices, artwork and other amenities when making design decisions for their offices.  These simple choices will certainly enhance their client or patient's visit. Designers and architects pay close attention to current design trends and the affect they have on the public when designing a corporate office or commercial building. For example, customized hardware that pays tribute to a brand or logo or the local culture is sure to be noticed by all who enter.  Color choices in fabrics and paint that elicit a specific mood the business is seeking will prepare every visitor for what lies ahead during their stay, meeting etc.

Here is a good example of how small details can enrich a space.  We were approached by  WATG Design Group (now known as Wimberly Interiors) to create door hardware for the St. Regis Hotel in Princeville on the island of Kauai Hawaii.  Great care was taken to honor and celebrate the native culture of the island and the natural beauty that surrounds it as evidenced by the Hawaiian door handles we created shown here on the entry doors.

We also adapted our popular hedgerow line and created a half round to be used as a robe hook in the guest rooms.

Guests are reminded at every turn that they are in the Hawaiian Islands.  To be honest, do they need reminding when in Hawaii?

To 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.

What's new at Martin Pierce Custom Hardware?

Things have been busy here at Martin Pierce Hardware.  Along with surviving the holidays we are hard at work on some new projects that we are excited to share with you.

• Archiexpo takes us to Europe

  We are now actively introducing our work to design professionals in Europe and you can view some of our signature hardware pieces on www.archiexpo.com This site is accessible  in English, French, Italian and German and it is by far one of the more user friendly sites that I have visited in a long time, making it easy for designers and architects to find the perfect pieces for each job.

• Willow latch

We continue to work on retooling a version of our popular Willow latch that will accomodate the narrower back latches common in Europe.  More information on this project will be available later this month.

So what's new with your business?

As we continue to expand our visibility throughout Europe and the Middle East you can get the latest news on what is happening at Martin Pierce by visiting us at www.martinpierce.com.

Hospitality design trends for 2013

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend that included time spent with family and friends as well as some bargain hunting if you were so inclined.  Now it's back to work....

The hospitality design industry is on a never ending quest to determine what their discriminating clients and guest are seeking and then figure out how to deliver it to them.  This process can be tricky as the goal is to provide all the amenities necessary for guests and create a memorable experience, all the while maintaining individual brand identity.

Guests of boutique or upscale hotels are always looking for a unique experience that provides all the comforts of home while they are far from home, either on business or visiting for pleasure.  There are several ways hospitality designers can create an environment that insures and enhances this experience and still meet the needs of the corporate parent as well.

• Spa like bathrooms offer a respite from the harsh realities of daily life and business and "spoil" the guests with items such as large soaking tubs, exquisite linens and luxurious bath products at their fingertips.
• Inviting and comfortable lobbies that not only create a positive first impression but also provide a gathering spot for guests during their stay.
• Consumers continue to be interested in seeing that businesses they support maintain an energy efficient and even an eco-friendly environment.
• The use of local craftsman and artists' work in the design of a hotel will enhance the experience of guests.  Large  photos of the surrounding areas or sculptures and artifacts that celebrate local cultures are just one of the many ways hotels are able to introduce their clients to the area.
• Small details like custom door and window hardware, hand-made furniture, high quality linens and personalized items that meet a guest's individual needs will set your hotel apart from your competitor.
• Many hotels are looking to attract local "staycationers" who do not want to roam far from home but are looking for a pleasant getaway.  Design that, again, celebrates the local countryside and/or culture will provide a romantic anniversary getaway or make a family reunion more memorable.

To 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.

Happy Thanksgiving from Martin Pierce Custom Hardware

We at Martin Pierce Custom Hardware would like to take this opportunity to extend our wishes for a very happy Thanksgiving and a bountiful holiday season to you and your family and friends. Let the feasting begin!

Update on the Sensota Cove W Hotel hardware series

As we shared in our blog post on June 30th, we have been working on a series of hardware projects to be used in the W Hotel, Sensota Cove location.  We were introduced to this project by the Rockwell Group who felt our existing Ergo, Heroic and Morphic collection of custom hardware fit the ambience of the seaside location of this new hotel in Singapore. And, as we discussed in our previous post, our Ergo door set was altered to be a bit smaller in diameter and adjusted to work with a Vingcard controlled entry lock system for the guest rooms which required extensive testing as well as new patterns and molds and were made right here in Los Angeles.  Our standard Ergo pulls were also used on several armoires located in the spa area.

We also worked with Diffusion, a  Singpore/American design group who used our Morphic Heroic Pulls in some of the key public areas and in the Presidential suite. The Morphic Pulls were also cast in stainless with a beautiful brushed finish.

The fluid designs and wave like quality of our Ergo design fits the setting of this beautiful and luxurious hotel as it is situated right on the waterfront.   This type of attention to detail adds to the unique experience that every business owner wants his clientele to experience.

To 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.

I am attaching files for these 3 pieces.