Best new product: Vote for us at the HD Expo 2013

While the "real" elections are just a distant memory we at Martin Pierce Hardware still need your vote! The HD Expo is holding a "Best new product" contest.  All those attending have the opportunity to view these products in the Innovation Pavilion and cast their vote for the product they feel is the best new product being unveiled at the Expo.  We will be debuting our new Morphic Cylindrical Handle and we would appreciate your vote.

This unique piece is equally at home in commercial and hospitality environments as it is in contemporary and traditional residences and is certain to add that all important design detail to your projects.

Please stop by our booth #2153 and view this piece for yourself.  And don't forget that the first ten visitors to the booth will receive one of our beautiful butterfly pulls to use as you like.  We look forward to meeting you.

First in a series: Add a touch of aloha to your home or business with custom hardware

When Debbie Zylstra of Zylstra Interior Design Inc. in Kona, Hawaii approached us about designing custom hardware for a project in Hawaii we jumped at the chance to celebrate and honor the culture of Hawaii and other Polynesian Islands.  As a result of this collaboration our Hawaiian Series of bespoke door and drawer hardware was born; all reflecting our keen respect for these native inhabitants. Pieces in this new collection range from very grand stylized iguana pulls to beautiful and elegant orchid pulls as well as a very unique stylized representation of the Laysan Finch, named for its home habitat, the northern Hawaiian island, Laysan Island.  Yes, there is more to Hawaii than the four popular vacation destinations we are all familiar with.

This Hawaiian bird pull, along with a two-headed companion piece, are cast in solid bronze using the lost wax method.  As we have mentioned before on this blog, the lost wax method allows us to capture great detail in the casting process.

You can view all of the pieces from our new Hawaiian Collection as well as the rest of our custom hardware collection at www.martinpierce.com.

We are ready for Las Vegas and HD Expo 2013

Just three weeks away and we are ready to go.  Ready to set up our booth, ready to share new products as well as some of our customer favorites and ready to see old friends and meet new friends. As we have mentioned in previous posts, we will be giving away one of our delightful butterfly drawer pulls to the first 10 friendly visitors to our booth #2153.  This bronze pull combines a touch of whimsy with a hint of realism that will add beauty to any spot in your home or business.

For those of us in the hospitality design business, the HD Expo is truly an opportunity to view the latest products available to make the lives of our clients more efficient, functional and more beautiful.  Again, we look forward to seeing all of you there so please stop by booth #2153 while you are visiting the Exhibitor Resource Center.

Earth Day Tidbits

Like many "holidays" here in the U.S.A., what was originally a single day event, Earth Day, has become a week long discussion and celebration of how we can all support and save the natural environments of this big planet we call home.

Earth Day was born in April of 1970 through the efforts of Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. senator from Wisconsin.  The initial goal was to make people aware of the dangers of environmental issues such as hazardous waste, toxic automobile emissions, off-shore drilling etc.  One of the more successful "movements",  over the decades we have all become more aware of the importance of paying attention to the impact modern life has on our natural environment.  Whether you realize it or not,  as a result of this movement we all participate in some way.  Who among us does not recycle water bottles, smog our vehicles or enjoy an occasional visit to the zoo or aquarium and marvel at the species that have been saved from extinction due to human efforts?

You can go to the extreme with your concern for the environment and only use a bicycle for transporation, for example, and more power to you.  However, this is not practical for most of us so we have to choose other ways to support and protect the earth.  Here at Martin Pierce Custom Hardware we do our best to recycle scrap metal and utilize and employ lost wax in the lost wax method of casting.  More about the lost wax method can be learned by reading our post here.  We make every effort to use local suppliers and distributors, thereby reducing the amount of toxins released and fuel used in transporting supplies.

For the past forty years we have all learned so much about this earth and the natural treasures that are certainly worth saving and protecting.  In so doing we also reap the benefits of a healthier environment for ourselves and for future generations.  So Happy Birthday Earth Day!

Countdown to HD Expo 2013

We have begun the countdown to the HD Expo 2013, taking place at the convention center at the Mandalay Bay Hotel May 15-17th.  We are excited to be travelling to sunny Las Vegas for the third year in a row and have planned many surprises for those who visit us at our booth #2153.

As we have mentioned, we will be giving away one of our delightful butterfly drawer pulls to the first ten visitors to the booth so be sure and stop by early.  We will also be debuting a few new hardware pieces that we feel will provide the perfect touch to that hospitality project of yours whether it be a boutique hotel, luxurious spa or residential retirement community.

You can view our entire collection or contact us for bespoke orders at www.martinpierce.com.  See you in a Las Vegas!

Defining today's contemporary design style

Clean. Simple. Understated.   A space in which color and texture tell the story.  These are the hallmarks of today's contemporary styling. Unlike other design styles such as Victorian, Arts & Crafts, Mid-century modern or Art Deco, contemporary design did not come about as part of a movement or period of time. Rather, contemporary design is more a combination of many of these design styles altered and adjusted to meet the needs of contemporary life.  But we have come to apply the term "contemporary" to a space, item, form or design style that is decorated in what we loosely refer to as "modern" and  includes sleek surfaces, clean lines and unique shapes that often result in form over function.

As with most design styles, the details are what identifies a specific design.  For discussion purposes, today's  contemporary space might include furniture that is sleek in design but is functional and comfortable; a color scheme that may include bright jolts of color or is a study in neutrals and textures; hardware that offers unique designs and finishes and artwork and accessories that make a statement.  As you can see, there is no one identifying factor that comes into play when creating a contemporary interior space.

All that being said, here at Martin Pierce we offer a selection of what we refer to as "contemporary" hardware pieces that we feel would enhance the look and feel of a contemporary space.  These include our new Ergo Epic Door Handle that was renamed by one of our clients, Amy of LaForce  Decorative Hardware.  You can read about her choice in our blog post.  We are also debuting our new Morphic Cylindrical Pull at the upcoming HD Expo and feel that this piece would certainly enhance any contemporary setting.  What do you think?

You can view these pieces as well as our entire collection at www.martinpierce.com.

Butterflies have arrived at the HD Expo 2013

There will be butterflies flitting about at the upcoming HDExpo 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada next month.  Well, maybe not flitting about but there will certainly be butterflies in the Martin Pierce Custom Hardware booth #2153.

Why?  Because we are offering our magical small butterfly drawer pull to the first ten lucky visitors to our booth.  You can add this pull to your desk drawer to brighten your day each morning, install it on the bathroom vanity for a touch of nature or delight any little girl with butterflies in her bedroom.  Used as a decorative accent on a bookshelf, coffee table display or desktop it is certain to add a smile to your face.

This drawer pull is hand-crafted in the same manner as all of our hardware pieces; beginning with a drawing by Martin used as a template for the hand-carved wax mold, cast in bronze and polished to the perfect patina.  A true miniature work of art!

We look forward to seeing old friends and making new friends at the Expo so be sure to stop by and say hello--and make it early, remember, there are only 10 of these butterfly drawer pulls to go around.

You can view our entire collection or contact us for bespoke orders at www.martinpierce.com.

How to prepare your home or business in the event of an earthquake

While this is an interior design blog and we are in the business of designing and creating custom hardware, we also happen to live and work in California, a state this is ripe with active faults.  Since the American Red Cross has designated April "Earthquake Preparedness Month" we thought we would share some of their tips to help insure the safety of you, your family and your customers.  After all, is there anything more important than the safety of those who visit your homes and businesses?

Here in California and many other parts of the country and the world, small earthquakes are a common occurrence.  However, "the big one" will hit some day and we must all be prepared.  If you reside in California or any other part of the world that sits on an active fault, you are no doubt familiar with the occasional shaking of the ground, often preceded by a low rumbling sound.  Your windows shake, the chandelier swings and, if the quake is strong enough, items in cupboards and on shelves shift.  More often than not these small quakes are nothing more than something to talk about over the water cooler the next day.   Nevertheless, it is important to be prepared if a large quake should hit in your area.

1. Have a plan--Create an escape plan that includes a meeting place for everyone to gather if they leave the premises..  Make sure everyone in your family or business is aware of the plan, when to exit and when to stay put.  Learn the Drop, Cover and Hold routine.
2. Have an emergency kit-- Be sure your kit includes fresh water for every individual for three days, any medicines, items for those who have special needs such as the elderly and infants, clothing, cash, batteries....for a complete list visit this site. 
3. Remember the pets--Be sure to have a plan to evacuate and/or care for household pets and include food, bedding  and medicines in hour emergency kit for them as well.

The best preparation is to make your home or place of business earthquake safe before a quake strikes.

1. Bolt large pieces of furniture to the walls.
2. Avoid hanging heavy artwork, televisions and mirrors over seating or sleeping areas.
3. Reinforce dangerous appliances like gas water heaters to the wall
4. Place children's beds away from windows and glass doors
5. Businesses and hotels should post emergency information for guests and employees

More complete information can be found at the American Red Cross, the Southern California Earthquake Center @USC, and the California Earthquake Authority.

Take a look at the current interior decor trend: florals

As with fashion, the interior design industry experiences trends that include color (Pantone's Color of the year, for example) as well as patterns.  A big trend this year is the resurgence of floral patterns used in upholstery, wallpaper and window treatments.  Rest assured that today's floral patterns are not your Grandmother's florals...they are bold and bright, often abstract in shape.

Contemporary Family Room by Los Angeles Interior Designer Georgette Westerman Interiors

Take a look at the bold floral pattern used on the club chair and accent pillows in this modern living room.  An unexpected color combination of blue and brown allow the modern floral shapes to take center stage.

 

Traditional Dining Room by San Francisco Interior Designer Amoroso Design

Painted furniture frames provide the perfect contrast to the over-sized floral pattern that appears on the chair backs and window treatments in this updated dining room.

Eclectic Wallpaper by Other Metro Spruce Eco-Studio

It is easy to enjoy this stylized floral and bird patterned wallpaper from Madison and Grow . This would be the perfect personalized touch in a nature inspired spa or boutique, not too bold but not too tame.  Complete the look with our bronze daisy pull as hardware on doors and drawers.

As with any design trend, start small by adding a few floral accent pillows to a couch or chair or create a focal point with floral wallpaper on a single wall.  Even something as simple as new door hardware in a sophisticated floral design such as this drawer pull that is modeled after a beautiful trumpet flower.

Happy Easter from Martin Pierce Custom Hardware

We want to wish all of our customers, clients and readers of this blog a happy Easter holiday.  We hope it is spent enjoying time with family and friends amidst the beauty of springtime.

Custom mushroom drawer pulls find a new home

We recently shared with you the winner of our "name that hardware" contest.  It was Amy Atwood from Laforce Decorative Hardware in Madison Wisconsin.

When Amy received her gift she promptly wrote us and exclaimed that the mushrooms were "gorgeous."  She also told us she plans on remodeling her powder room soon and hopes to build the design around these wonderful and whimsical pulls. Pictures will follow and we will be sure and share those with you once her new powder room is complete.  Be sure to follow us on facebook so that you can be be aware of any future contests and giveaways.  Who knows, you may be the next winner of a wonderful piece of custom hardware for your home or business.

You can view our entire collection or contact us for bespoke orders at www.martinpierce.com.

Glossary of door hardware terminology

Did you know there was a glossary for hardware?  Today's post is not a test but, rather, information that will help you make an informed decision next time you purchase door, window and drawer hardware. Most of us are certainly aware of the definition of door knobs, drawer pulls and deadbolt locks but there are several other terms that are unique to the hardware industry that are important to know, especially if you will be making any hardware purchases in the near future.  Let me help you out just a bit by defining some door hardware terms:

• Keyed cylinder:  This is the lock mechanism that requires a key to activate and open or lock the cylinder.
•  Cover plate:  Some people feel that the mechanical or functional appearance of the deadbolt cylinder distracts from the artistic trim and prefer to conceal the face with a cover plate.  In the case of the Hedgerow cover plate shown below, the plate itself is smooth and a cover plate has been designed to blend into the back plate. The same idea of a smooth design appears on our Lizard collection cover plate in which a cover plate was designed to resemble a stone or rock that a lizard might lounge on.  (don't overlook the butterfly "lunch" waiting for the lizard as well)  

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• Personally, while I understand that perfection is a good goal to have in one's aesthetic arsenal, I prefer the cylinder face to be exposed.  That way, when I get home and my arms are full, I can easily get my key into the cylinder, especially on dark evenings.  But, then again, I freely admit that I do not have the manual dexterity of others.
• Deadbolt versus spring bolt. Wikipedia does a good job of describing the difference. A deadbolt lock, which is a more secure lock, cannot be moved to the open position without turning or rotating the lock. This is typically turned with either a key or on the inside of the door with what is termed a “turn piece”.  By comparison,  a spring bolt holds the lock in place with a spring which is activated by pressure, for example, by turning the door knob or depressing the door lever.  This type of lock is often used in powder rooms where one locks the door from the inside by pushing in a pin. In this instance the pin is fixing the spring and preventing it from being turned by someone on the outside of the door.  The spring bolt can be used with door knobs or door levers.  To really complicate things, quality hardware such as ours is sometimes outfitted with an "ancillary spring" that accommodates the larger or heavier door levers and allows it to be more easily depressed.

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

Spring has sprung in our HD Expo booth!

The HD Expo 2013 is less than two months away and we are busy designing our booth (#2153) and packing up some of our favorite pieces to share with you. As we mentioned here, we have a new name for one of our debuting door handles and we are confident you will be as excited to see this beauty in person as we are to share it with you.  It epitomizes the term "functional art".  On previous visits to the HD Expo we have featured a giveaway to some of the first visitors to our booth.  One year it was our very friendly shiny brass frog pull and last year we gave away one of our new daisy pulls.  Not to be outdone and to celebrate the arrival of spring, this year we are giving away one of our small butterfly pulls to the first ten visitors to our booth.

With remarkable realism, this small pull is finished in a hot amber finish and features unique and distinctive black dot markings.  Update your bathroom vanity or delight the young girl in your life by adding these pulls to her dresser drawers.  They are the perfect addition to any hospitality, retail store or spa environment.

If you would like one of these custom drawer pulls be sure to stop by booth #2153 and introduce yourself.  Remember, the first ten visitors to the booth will receive our gift.

What better time to talk about green design than on St. Patrick's Day

With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner we are reminded that green is important, certainly when it comes to the color of your beer and the color of your shamrock but it also gives us the opportunity to segue into a discussion on "green" design, in particular--off-gassing.  We all need a reminder now and then that eco-friendly design is important as we discussed in this post from 2012.

I  have noticed that there seems to be a lot of discussion lately on the topic of off-gassing, due in part to the attention it is garnering from celebrities.  Have you ever noticed that once a celebrity jumps on a bandwagon a topic receives a lot of attention?  But I  also wondered if the general public is even aware of this issue and how it affects them.  Here is our little tutorial on the subject of off-gassing:

Definition:  Off-gassing is defined as "the emission of especially noxious gases.." (courtesy of merriam-webster.)

Sources:  Off-gassing can be produced from pretty much any item in your home including carpeting, flooring, paints and varnishes, household cleaners, packing materials, even your dry cleaning.  

Solutions:  There are several ways you can reduce the amount of off-gassing produced in your home, hotel, retail store or place of business.  And just a quick note, according to the EPA, indoor air quality is important and care should be given to keeping the air as healthy as possible to avoid health problems for some members of your family or for visitors to your place of business.  For more detailed information, visit the EPA website.   To help insure a clean interior follow these suggestions:            

•   Choose low VOC paints and cleaners 
•   Open windows and air out rooms with newly applied paint or floor coverings.        This may be necessary even when new furniture is delivered to eliminate the varnish fumes.
•  Properly dispose of any open containers of paints, varnishes, strippers, cleaners.

Maintaining a clean air work or home environment will offer both short term and long term benefits to all who enter.

Contemporary custom hardware designs

We spend a lot of time on this blog discussing the various custom hardware collections we offer, most often with a nature or organic theme.  But we are equally proud of some of the more contemporary and modern collections we also offer such as those pieces found in our Textured collection.  Our Ergo door handle, the subject of our recent naming contest, is also from this collection.  This grouping offers shiny stainless hardware that is in sharp contrast to the handsome and very textural pieces like our chiseled pull and coordinating hardware items.  Any of the hardware pieces in this collection are guaranteed to enhance your interior spaces and impress your clientele.

You can view our entire collection or contact us for bespoke orders at www.martinpierce.com.

The third cousin of custom door hardware: deadbolts and hinges

We are all familiar with drawer pulls, door knobs and levers and how they can add interest, texture and a custom touch to any home or place of business.  However,  the smaller, but very necessary door and window hardware pieces like deadbolts and hinges are equally important and an often overlooked detail.

This deadbolt from our Hedgerow collection will finish the look on any door in both the interior and exterior.  Imagine a door that features the beautiful Hedgerow Multi Point door hardware with a standard deadbolt in place of the beautiful corresponding piece we have designed...not a pretty picture!

If the mere sight of the keyed cylinder even with beautiful trim is too much of a distraction from the artistry of our door trim we have some clever ways of concealing the mechanism.  As shown here we use a swinging stone plate, in this case in the form of a beautiful butterfly that looks like it is going to be lunch for our popular lizard door handle,  to conceal the "working" part, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of your hardware.

Take a look at all of your interior and cupboard doors as well as some windows and you will notice that the one thing they all have in common is some sort of hinge mechanism.  Again, you can install a standard off the rack hinge or you can continue your bespoke look by having custom hinges that coordinate or match your hardware to complete the look.  Don't overlook these small but important details when designing your own home, a public building or hospitality venue.

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

We have a winner in the name that hardware contest!

We have a winner!   After poring over all of the entries we have finally made a decision.  It was not an easy task as we received many descriptive and sometimes humorous ideas.  But, without further delay, the envelope please---

The Winner of the "name that hardware" contest is:

Amy Atwood.  Amy is the manager of one of our favorite showrooms at LaForce Decorative Hardware in Madison Wisconsin.

Amy's suggestion for our Ergo Extended Door Handle was to rename it the Ergo Epic Door Handle.  She offered such a lovely and poetic explanation for her choice:

   " Epic means "long poem about legendary heroes"  It certainly is long,and it's visually poetic with its very organic shape.

.       Epic is a synonym to "heroic" .       Epic sounds similar to heroic with the "ic" sound at the end .       Epic sounds good with Ergo..."Ergo Epic" .       The word "Epic" seems grander than heroic, so therefore it suited perfectly for the new longer pull.

For all of these reasons we agreed that "Ergo Epic" sounds so much more appealing than "Ergo Extended Door Handle".  We will be debuting this product at the HD Expo 2013 in Las Vegas Nevada in May so we hope to see many of you there.  And, once again, thanks to all of you for your interesting and creative suggestions and Congratulations Amy!  Your mushroom drawer pulls are on their way.

You can view our entire collection or contact us for bespoke orders at www.martinpierce.com.

Spring has sprung a bit early at Martin Pierce Hardware

While much of the country is blanketed with the white stuff or receiving a great deal of rain, southern California is in the middle of an early spring.  It is expected to reach 80 degrees today!  But no need to hop a plane just yet....this time next week we will be back down to around 60 degrees.  While it may seem extraordinary, this really is a "normal" spring for us, plenty of sunshine one day and rain clouds the next.

However, our inventory is always full of springtime.  Plenty of flowers, birds and bees to add a spot of sunshine to your doorways, furniture pieces or cabinetry.  Why not take a moment and look at our Flora, Netzuke and Animal collections and see if there isn't some way you can add a touch of springtime to your home or delight your clients with a touch of springtime all year long.

You can view our entire collection or contact us for bespoke orders at www.martinpierce.com.

Last chance to enter our name that product contest

You have just one more day to submit your ideas in our naming contest.  The contest closes on Friday March 1st and the winner will be announced next week after we review all entries.  Do you have any clever and descriptive ideas for our Ergo large door handle?  We just know there is something a bit more exciting than "extended door handle."  So email us, comment on this blog or visit our facebook page with your ideas.  And remember, the word "Ergo"must be included in the new name.

Who knows?  This pair of solid bronze mushroom drawer pulls could be yours!

What is a limited edition item?

We often talk about limited edition collections on this blog.  For example, we have recently mentioned our Aspen Buffet, limited edition of 30.  But many people ask us "what exactly is a limited edition?" Simply put, a limited edition is just that, a limited number of a particular item is produced and released for sale or, as wikipedia defines it "a restricted number of copies are produced."  There is no limit to the number in any limited edition but it makes sense that the smaller the number to the release the more valuable the item may be.  Contrary to popular belief, no specific number in a limited edition is any more valuable than another.  Some collectors always want the first of any release while others view the last number more collectible.  Many people choose a number that is significant to their lives such as an anniversary date, birthdate of a child or even their football jersey number....there is no limit to one's imagination!

In the example of our Aspen Buffet, a limited edition really means one of a kind as no two pieces will be exactly alike. This is due to the fact that the furniture is entirely hand-made and hand-assembled in our shop,, making this furniture a functional piece of art.  What is copied or reproduced is the design of the buffet as well as the decorative inlaid design and japanning technique used to create that design.

Hope this clears up any questions about purchasing a limited edition of any type of artwork, furniture, books or these days, even video games and electronics.  And,  as always, you can view our entire collection or contact us for bespoke orders at www.martinpierce.com.