Brass continues to be a popular interior design trend for 2015

Brass is back and in a big way.  In fact, this warm metal has been making an appearance in both residential and hospitality projects for a couple of years now.  This is not the gaudy brass of the seventies but a softer version that is beautiful in both matte and shiny finishes. And it is being seen throughout the interior design industry in furniture, lamps, hardware and accessories.  Here is just a glimpse of what is out there. You can make a bold statement in the bedroom with this new bed from Taylor Burke Home featuring a brass frame and upholstered insert.

Highly polished or left in its natural state and allowed to patina over time, brass fixtures offer a welcome option from chrome, stainless, nickel and bronze finishes that have been popular for so long.

While we do appreciate the look that brass offers, we do not work with brass.  It is a soft and porous metal that will tarnish and flake off over time and certainly not give you a lifetime product. We do, however, offer a high polished bronze finish (shown below) that provides a high shine and warm golden tone similar to brass but with the added benefit of being a strong metal that will not flake or peel off, tarnish etc.

Contact us to discuss your architectural hardware needs or view our entire collection of custom hardware at www.martinpierce.com.

Pantone announces 2015 Color of the year

Those involved in the interior design and fashion world eagerly await an announcement by color experts, Pantone, of the color of the year.  This year they caught everyone who was expecting some shade of blue off guard by selecting Marsala as the 2015 Pantone Color of the Year.

According to the executive director of Pantone Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman, "Marsala is a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us in to its embracing warmth...nurturing and fulfilling."

While this color is as rich and delicious as the wine it is named after, it is also a versatile shade that will be right at home in any room in your home from the kitchen to the bath to the bedroom or will warm up the lobby and guest rooms of a boutique hotel.  It is easily paired with most colors and will complement all types of wood and metal used in the space.  Hospitality and residential designers alike will find many uses for this new color.

In the kitchen

A crisp and clean contemporary kitchen with Marsala walls, small appliances or fabric provide the perfect backdrop for stainless steel hardware.

In the bath

Whether it is in a beautiful spa bath at home or a luxury hotel retreat, the beauty of bronze or high polished brass fixtures, hardware and bath accessories make a striking combination when paired with richly hued Marsala linens and paint in a more traditional setting.

On the exterior

Add a punch to the entry by painting the door with this new color and using oil rubbed bronze hardware for a warm greeting to guest or clients.

How will you use this latest color trend in your upcoming projects?

You can view our entire collection of custom hardware at www.martinpierce.com.

Our final homage to Antoni Gaudi's architecture

As we continue to share highlights of our recent vacation to Spain we saved the best for last.  Although, quite honestly,  each of Gaudi’s works stands on its own; each is a harmonious tribute to nature. Sagrada Familia

I think the reason that La Sagrada Familia has become the focal point of Gaudi’s achievements is, in part, due to its continued evolution.  Gaudi began work on it in 1883 and continued to work until his death in 1926 when it was less than a quarter complete. Work has continued over the decades, funded by private donations.  The basilica is scheduled to be completed by 2026 which will be the centennial of Gaudi’s death.  On a side note, it is deemed a basilica, meaning significant church, as Barcelona already has a cathedral and apparently you can only have one per city!

Look closely at the exterior of the Sagrada Familia and you will find that it consists of layer upon layer of images and symbolism.

Once inside the visual delight continues.  Pillars inspired by sinew and bones are an amazing feat of both engineering and aesthetic design.

It is fun to compare the design of the pillars to the sinewy movement and design of our Epic entry door handles from our Ergo Collection of architectural hardware.

And light and color are never forgotten by the maestro!

The location and grand scale of this iconic building has certainly secured its position in history and is worth a visit since photographs do not do it justice.

You can view our entire collection of custom hardware at www.martinpierce.com.

Ada compliant contemporary hardware designs

Many of today's designers and architects are seeking door and cabinet hardware for hotels, spas, nightclubs and commercial buildings that are not only attractive but that also comply with strict ADA building codes.  In other words, hardware that is easy to grasp and operate for those who may have some physical limitations. This might be necessary in brand new construction or in a retrofit situation.  This is difficult enough without adding the additional requirement of good looks.

As the population continues to age and, in this very competitive market, it is important that buildings be designed to allow easy access to all who wish to enter.  After all, a businessman does not want to deter someone who might have difficulty gaining entrance and/or navigating the building from entering and conducting their business.  More importantly, consumers need to be able to gain access to their home, their doctor's offices or retail shops.

We are pleased that our Ergo collection of custom hardware meets these demanding standards.  The lever design of our entry and passageway pieces are easy to operate and create a stunning look that will please any lover of contemporary design. Several of our collections, including Morphic, can, upon request, also be adapted to meet ADA standards. This might include lever style handles in place of knobs and pulls that do not require a strong grasp in order to easily operate them.

If you are in the market for door hardware with a crisp and contemporary look and that is ADA compliant or would like to view our entire collection of custom hardware, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Add color to your custom hardware

 

Most of us are familiar with and expect oil rubbed bronze, stainless steel, nickel and brass finish choices when it comes time to select door and cabinet hardware.  But we are here to tell you that you can add color to your hardware.

Adding a specific color will not only add interest but it can offer other positive influences. For example, hospitality designers will appreciate the ability to incorporate a client's specific brand color to a project's hardware, thereby highlighting the brand.  If the hardware selection incorporates design features such as floral motifs, animals, bugs etc., adding color will allow these patterns to really "pop".  Our lizard pull shown below is a fine example of the impact color can have on custom hardware.

A subtle introduction of color can also have a big impact.  The effect is seen in the color we added to our Morphic cylindrical entryway pulls and debuted at this year's HD Expo in Las Vegas.  The cutout design offers the perfect opportunity to add color to this sleek and contemporary collection of custom hardware.

Is there a place in your next project for some color?  If so, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com to view our entire collection of architectural hardware.

Get to know your entry door hardware up close and personal---backplates

A front door is something we all have in common.  And while the appearance of our entry door hardware varies from building to building, they all have parts in common.  Let's break it down and review the proper terminology and purpose of this very necessary hardware.

Back plate or to some, escutcheon: The plate to which a door handle, be it a lever or knob, is attached, making it possible to open the door. The back plate was often referred to in England and Europe as an escutcheon plate which tends to imply that it is more decorative.  The back plate not only is the mounting for the handle but it also covers up the "guts" of the lock in the door be it a tubular lock or mortise lock.

At Martin Pierce  our back plates are extremely decorative and very stylized.  They are designed to continue the artistic style of the handles.  With our lizard handles shown in the photo we designed a back plate to look like the bark of a tree; our Willow knob uses a circular back plate or rose in the form of overlapping willow leaves; the Hedgerow handle uses a back plate that has fretted sections at the top and bottom that are stylized tree branches.

Our entire collection of custom architectural hardware for both entry and interior doors can be seen at www.martinpierce.com.

Montaner treasures in Barcelona

The first few weeks of October found us experiencing the vacation of a lifetime in Spain with the first half of this remarkable trip spent in Barcelona. We traveled to Barcelona in homage to architect Antoni Gaudi who's modernist art nouveau style continues to inspire and humble Martin. However, before we even saw our first Gaudi treasure we stumbled upon the work of another key architect in Catalan Modernisme,  Domenechi Montaner (1850-1923)

His Palau de la Musica Catalana  was located near where we stayed and we found it by chance. We  were so astounded by the exterior that we signed up for the guided tour and took this video during that visit.

[wpvideo dE2JLFnP]

The building is one of amazing color, texture and light. Decorated with natural themes often in the  form of applied ceramic and glass flowers and leaves, the style is so intense with color, movement and varied mediums that it is  almost like being inside a kaleidoscope.  I fear the impact must be overwhelming to those with subtle palettes. If one looks at the tiered ceramic layers that lead to the stained glass roof one is reminded of the Victorian décor that we recently saw at the Simpson house in Santa Barbara.

Montaner’s style, while not as unrestrained as Gaudi, certainly shares Guadi’s sense of fun and sets both of their works apart from that of their contemporaries.

The Palau was built between 1905 and 1908 but more recently the façade has been extended to include a Petite Palau in 2004. The new addition continues Montaner’s theme of nature but with the clever use of red brick which, ironically, was being built during the same period when Martin began designing his Hedgerow collection.  I say this is ironic as both make reference to tree canopies; in Martin Pierce’s case it is the canopy that forms the grip for the passageway door handle.

Hedgerow Collection from Martin Pierce Hardware

The cool beauty of stainless steel hardware

We spend a lot of time talking about and sharing our collection of bronze hardware, and for good reason.  This warm metal is very popular because it works with almost any design style and is certain to please both your hospitality and residential clients.  While bronze is popular, stainless steel fixtures can have the same impact on projects, especially those done in a contemporary style. We offer several stainless steel collections but, of course, custom hardware can be cast in the metal of your choice.

Sleek and modern

Our Ergo collection is not only sleek and modern but ergonomically designed to fit the hand comfortably, making it a perfect choice for hospitality and commercial projects.  The unique design is also ADA compliant.

Texture and color

The architectural hardware pieces in our Morphic collection have a textural quality that is both beautiful and interesting.  A powder coated accent color is an option we debuted at the 2014 HD Expo, giving designers the ability to further customize the pieces for their clients.

Organic

A combination of modern and textural, our appropriately named Texture collection offers a little of both.  The contemporary wave pulls are suitable for both residential and commercial projects, and while the chiseled collection is not cast in stainless as are the other items we have shown, it will add a bit of rustic elegance to any door, drawer or cabinet.

Bronze, brass, stainless or your own custom combination of metals---your choice of metal finishes for hardware can add a personalized detail to your next hospitality, residential or commercial project.

You can view our entire collection of stainless steel and other custom hardware items at www.martinpierce.com.

Going batty with door and drawer hardware

Halloween seems to be the perfect time to highlight some of our "spookier" pieces of custom hardware.  While not designed to be spooky but rather a detailed representation of the creatures, they are all popular "ambassadors" for All Hallow's Eve that can be enjoyed year round. Hospitality designers will enjoy the realistic or whimsical value they will add to spa, hotel and commercial projects while residential designers will please many a homeowner with the introduction of these unique door and drawer hardware items.

Bats

Unbeknownst to most of us, bats play an important role in the world-wide economy and contribute greatly to the environment.  But it is their role in literature that most of us are familiar with.  After all, don't vampires morph into bats at the light of day?  But our bat hardware is actually finely detailed miniature pieces of art that will enhance any interior project.

Lizards

Perhaps Shakespeare says it best in Macbeth "eye of newt and toe of frog...lizard's leg...". This recipe for a poisonous soup includes many of the creatures from our Animal collection, including our popular lizard and shiny frog pull.

 Creepy crawlies

We recently shared with you Martin's desire to study bugs and their habitats and, therefore, our acquisition of "pets" Boris and Natasha, a pair of Hercules Beetles.  Halloween celebrations are full of bugs, spiders and other things that crawl that often make people's skin crawl.  Wasps, beetles, moths and some slimy friends are depicted, in extraordinary detail, in our Animal collection of custom hardware.  Also included are less "scary" hardware designs such as dragonflies, butterflies, pretty birds and delightful bumble bees.

Introduce any one of these amazing custom hardware designs into your next project and enjoy their beauty for years to come.

To view our entire Animal or Lizard collection as well as our other lines of architectural hardware, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Anatomy of a bronze door handle--Part 2

Sketch is done and details as to how the sculpture will be attached to a door, how to design it so that it can be cast to allow wax and metal to properly flow through the mold and not weigh a ton, it is time to move on to the next step. (you can review the first steps here). To make the mold for the body a pliant silicon membrane over the outside of the body and the legs has to be built-up.  At this stage you are also “gating” the mold by adding square rod sections to the body of the bird. The silicon will from a membrane around these rods and when these rods are later removed what is left is a hollow or void  through which the hot wax is poured . The mold is strengthened by being housed in a rigid metal case that keeps it true to form. Once the mold is complete it is literally cut down the middle and opened up to remove the rods and the result is a hollow replica of the birds body with funnels that have been created through which wax and later bronze can flow.

The next step is to pour  molten wax into the hollow mold through the gates and slosh it around, coating the inside of the mold with liquid wax.  When the wax is dry, the mold is carefully opened and the wax body is removed with the  gates or protrusions attached.

We now have a one piece wax bird replica that is hollow inside and we need to turn it into a bronze piece that is hollow.

We cut around the birds legs and around a bit  of his stomach to create a hole in the cavity of the wax body; we are going to cast the feet, stomach and wings as separate pieces. What we are left with is 4 parts of our bird, all in wax.  Each wax piece is dipped in a clay like substance similar to the way we created the rubber mold, building up a clay slurry over each part of the bird to create a plaster like “shell” for each piece.  When dry this slurry becomes rigid and forms a casing. With the bird body we will pour the slurry inside the hollow wax body and also coat the outside of the body so that, when fired,  both the inside and outside will become a hollow ,walled shell.  These "shelled" pieces are then baked in a kiln that will make them very rigid and strong.  The heat causes the soft wax to melt out and collect at the bottom of the kiln, hence the expression "lost wax".  Actually, not really lost but rather recycled.  Even artists in ancient times recognized the value of re-using and recycling products.

All of these steps will result in a beautiful piece of functional art that can be used as a door pull to create an extraordinary entrance to a business or home, or enjoyed as wall art.  This will become evident in our final post on the sculpting and casting process for this particular piece of architectural hardware.

You can view our entire collection of custom hardware at www.martinpierce.com.

Tools of the trade for custom hardware

While we agree that the most important tools for any creative profession is the brain, the imagination and the hands, there are other man-made tools that do make the job easier and add those all-important details that can turn a hunk of clay, stone or metal into a work of art.  Chisels of varying sizes, hammers, mallets, knives and vises all play an important role in the final outcome of a piece of sculpture, custom hardware or furniture.

Over the years we have sporadically shared with you some of the tools that Martin uses when creating his sculptures and custom hardware molds.  As you can see from some of the photos, Martin does have his favorites that bear the marks of years of use.  But, like most things, they just get better with time.

Here is the result of the carving seen in the above photo---our lizard door pulls.  The close-up photo makes it possible for you to see the amazing detail and realism on the lizards and the backplate accomplished through the use of all of Martin's carving tools.

We would love to hear what tools you find useful in your job.  And if you would like to view our collection of architectural hardware, custom furniture and unique sculptures, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.

Anatomy of a bronze door handle

We introduced the beginnings of our jay sculpture with a post back in August of 2014. After working on the piece we decided to offer it as a limited edition of 25 sculpture that can be hung on the wall or fitted for use as door pulls.  As with any bespoke item, the creative process involves many steps. As we have shared many times, all sculptures and our custom door hardware pieces begin with a detailed sketch of Martin's vision for the piece or, in this instance, many photographs of his inspiration i.e. the red tailed hawk we see flying above the skies of Los Angeles.

Red tailed Hawk Martin Pierce Hardware

martin pierce redtail hawk on utility pole

As mentioned, when Martin began the jay sculpture in wood it was always his intention to use this sculpture as a pattern to make bronze door handles.   Therefore, when designing the bird there were three very important considerations:

The first consideration was a) how would you, as a home or business owner,  be able to grip a section of the bird to pull open your door and b) how would you be able to mount the bird on your door?

These considerations affected the way Martin designed the wings.  The left wing has a flatter area which can be used to attach the bird to the door and the right wing is the area that would make it possible to grip and hold to open the door. The tail of the bird could also be used as a secondary spot to attach the bird to the door if necessary.

The second consideration was the casting process. In casting you have to think about ways that the molds can be made so that  first the wax,  and then  later the bronze, can flow easily. To do this you have to plan where you are going to create “gates” or funnels or paths for the wax and bronze to evenly flow.

The third consideration is weight.  In order to avoid having the "bird" weigh a ton, so to speak, the casting of the body must be hollow.

Once all these details were ironed out it was time to begin sculpting the mold.  Details to follow on that very interesting process as well as casting, pouring etc.  So stay tuned!

To view our entire collection of custom architectural hardware you can visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Dreams really do come true--a trip to the land of Gaudi

We are about to embark on the dream vacation of a life-time.  We are off to Spain where we will be paying homage to famed architect Antoni Gaudi.  This will include visits to as many of his avante-garde buildings as we can comfortably fit in during our stay.

Part of the Modernista movement, Gaudi's work was heavily influenced by his personal life that included a love of architecture, nature and his strong Catholic faith.  Unique crafts such as ceramics, wrought iron, stained glass and woodwork were integrated into his architecture, complimenting both gothic and art nouveau forms.  In my opinion, this gave his work a lovely, comic touch.  There are very few architects/designers who manage to make me smile, but his work certainly does.

As you may know the Art Nouveau movement has been, for Martin, one of his major sources of inspiration.  His fondness for the works of Hector Guimard, Emile Galle and Victor Horta have been mentioned over the years. That said, while Gaudi’s work is often described as being part of this movement it really stands alone as singularly daring in its artistic scope and complex execution.

The places we have chosen to visit are:

La Familia Sagrada -- seen in the photo above, this famous ongoing project is one that no one seems sure when it will be completed, although it is currently scheduled for completion in 2026 which will mark the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death.

Colonia Guell and Crypt-- where we will see the crypt, church and research lab that is service to the craftsman working on La Familia Sagrada

Parc Guell – the site originally designed as a type of planned community for the wealthy 

Casa Batllo--  magnificent Battlo family residence that showcases Gaudi's use of the ornamental trades for both form and function.  For example, wrought iron was used to create stair railings that are also structurally supportive; whimsical stained glass windows filter the harsh sunlight and animal forms make an appearance and play a prominent role in the overall design of the building.  

From Barcelona we will be travelling southwest to Granada for a week and being treated to even more unusual architecture including the Alhambra.  Here we hope to spend quite a bit of our time being inspired by the ancient Arabic inscriptions and incredible details.  We look forward to sharing details of our trip with all of you.

You can view our entire collection of architectural and custom hardware at www.martinpierce.com.

Iris has a new friend- Part 4 and final reveal

Whew!  As you can tell from the previous posts, this is a time consuming project that requires quite a bit of detail to get it just right. When we last left you Martin had begun the process of carving the details of Iris' ears, head etc. and we shared the tools that he uses to create these details.

The next step is perhaps the most important, capturing the very essence of Iris in the uniqueness of her facial expressions, beauty marks etc.  As with all dogs, the brow is where we see a lot of their comical and quizzical expressions and Iris has quite lovely frown lines. Martin  began carving these with a fine gauge to create a deep furrow.  He then employed a “V” chisel to create acute sides to the frown furrow and, lastly, he used a reverse gouge to soften the tops of the frown lines.

Next came the pores where her whiskers were created with a fine veiner that was used to make shallow but well defined indentations. That left her beauty moles.  If you look closely you can see one of these moles just behind her "smile".  Martin approached these as if he were making a miniature “sand castle” i.e. the surrounding wood is scooped out leaving a raised mound.

Sanding the entire piece was the next step.  Martin began with an orbital sander using 120 grit paper and then sanding by hand with 120 and finer 150 grit paper.  Finally, he used medium and fine scotchbrite sheets to give her a really smooth appearance.

The bust was finished with oil and clear wax and no lacquer. The oil, especially, is responsible for bringing out the differences in grain color and in making the figuring of the walnut even more beautiful.

Over time and with exposure to the sun this bust will become a gorgeous golden brown and will look very close to Iris' actual color. We are probably going to cast this in bronze and, if so, will offer it in a limited edition.  Our only reservation is that we both like the effect in wood and want it to stay at home as we are all (including Iris who thinks it is a friend) enjoying it so much.

It all began with this photo:

And ended with this beautiful hand-carved sculpture:

What do you think?  Did we capture her?

If you would like to view our entire collection of architectural and custom hardware, visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Iris has a new friend Part 2-gluing

We last left you with the beginnings of a sculpture of our dog, Iris', head.  We shared the process of sketching an idea, deciding on a wood type and tracing the pattern onto the wood. The next step is the gluing and roughing out the actual shape of the bust.  To begin with Martin cut out the profile on 4 pieces of wood using the paper template from the originial sketch.

For this he used a bandsaw which, as any hobbyist will know, is a saw that uses a band of metal teeth to cut through the wood.  The "bands" vary with each machine and they also vary in terms of how course or fine the cut line needs to be.  For this bust we used a medium band that was 155" long, 3/4" wide and with 4 "teeth per inch.

We jointed the sections of wood with a polyurethane glue made in the Netherlands by Rectavit and sold in the United States as Structan.  We have used this glue for many years now as it is not as brittle as typical wood glue.  Since it is somewhat pliant it allows slight movement in the wood to take place.  Other glues may form a tough and brittle bond so that any movement in the wood can result in splitting or cracking.  You may be asking why wood moves.  The answer is that wood is actually a living thing and will expand with moisture and high humidity and contract with heat or very low humidity.

In this next photo you can see the rough sculpture all glued together.  Notice the paper template next to it which was used in the creation of this sculpture.

We are getting closer to sharing the final sculpture with you and we are sure you will be as delighted as we are with the beauty of the wood and the fine detail of Iris' impressive profile.  Iris still thinks it is a new friend and wags her tail when she sees it.

To view our entire collection of architectural hardware or to discuss custom pieces for your next hospitality project, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Leaves are falling at Martin Pierce

Even in sunny southern California we can feel subtle seasonal changes, especially during the fall season.  The days get shorter and the return of the marine layer adds a slight chill to the air.  We never tire of witnessing Mother Nature's changes as fall flowers bloom and the trees begin to drop their leaves.  It provides the perfect opportunity for us to showcase our elegant and finely detailed leaf hardware that will add just a hint of nature to your residential and hospitality design projects. From sycamore to oak to a delicate pear leaf, our Flora collection offers many nature inspired cabinet and drawer pulls.

and unusual or unique leaf shapes from other collections:

You can view our entire collection of nature inspired architectural hardware at www.martinpierce.com.

Bigger is sometimes better with our newly sized cabinet pull

If you checked out our Latest News Section on the website then you already know that we are now offering a new edition to our Ergo collection---the 6" wide Wave pull. Those designers who are familiar with this line are already aware of the 2" and 3" pull but there has been a real need for a bigger pieces that are scaled for larger cabinet doors and drawers. I recently had the pleasure of working on a project in New York where we were being specified for many of our Ergo and Morphic pieces but the cabinet drawers simply cried out for a more robust, yet still elegant, Ergo wave. We considered a few possible sizes but decided on a 6”W x 1 1/2”D x 1”H.  Scaling a piece is not an easy task which may explain why it has taken us so long to bring out this piece but we think the wait has been worthwhile.  Designers and architects can now specify this piece that is being cast in either bronze or stainless steel, offering a good color range to suit their clients specific needs.

We have had a lot of fun photographing all the wave pieces that went into this upscale and delightful kitchen project and credit needs to be given to our wonderful photographer Doug Hill for having the imagination to arrange and photograph these pieces to show off their fluid and organic quality.

We would love to hear your comments on this new addition to our Ergo collection or, to view our entire collection of architectural hardware please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

A feast for the eyes:

Martin Pierce has gone to the birds with our new sculpture

We recently teased you a bit with an introduction to a project Martin is working on that involves the design of a blue jay.

To catch up you can view that introductory post here.

We are very happy to say that the jay wing carvings have now made it into wax, shown as the brown wing in the photo below. The wax wing was created by pouring wax into a rubber mold that we made around the grey pattern (carvings) that Martin sculpted. The pattern or carving in the photo above is beige in color, the natural color of basswood, but we then "paint" the pattern with a grey primer to fill in the grains and pores of the wood, giving us a smooth grey pattern and one without the distraction of wood grain. If we didn't fill in the grain the end result would be a bronze casting with a visible and distracting wood grain.

As with all of our pieces, we will use  the lost wax method when creating the eventual bronze castings as this method allows us to capture the intricate details of the wings and bird.

This particular sculpture was not commissioned.  Rather, it is just a bird we see often and one that Martin really likes as they have a lot of character and are fun to watch.  We had originally thought of just having the wings as door pulls but decided to turn it into a complete sculpture that can be used as wall art, yet still offer the option of mounting it on the door as a pull.  We are also happy to announce that it will be available in a limited edition of 25 and we will keep you posted on the progress with future posts.

If you are interested in other architectural hardware pieces modeled after birds or would like to discuss a custom order for your next hospitality or residential project, please contact us or visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

A new home for our iguana pull

It is always a thrill for us to see our pieces in place in their new home.  Such was the case when we received this photo of both our Iguana and Hawaiian Bird pulls in use on a custom armoire. When we were contacted by Debbie Zylstra of Zylstra Interiors (in Kona Hawaii at the time but has since relocated her business to South Carolina) the challenge was to design a custom pull that was reflective of the native culture and tropical surroundings.  We chose to create a pull in the likeness of the whimsical Laysan Finch for the lower section of the built-ins.

Our Iguana pulls would be used to open the double doors in the upper portion.  Below is a rendering of Martin's showing how he envisioned the pulls in use

and here is an actual picture of the completed project.

The Hawaiian bird pulls are used on the drawers and lower doors.  The polished bronze finish is the perfect compliment to the amazingly beautiful Koa wood that is accented with an ebony filet.

If you  have a residential or hospitality project that would be made more beautiful through the use of custom hardware or you would like to view our entire collection, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Gardens and hardware and family...oh my!

It is often a good thing and we are very fortunate to work with family members, especially when they live in the picturesque village of Pembridge, Herefordshire  which is where Martin’s brother Bob and his wife Carrie live. Bob is an extremely talented graphic designer and a website designer.  He is the talent behind all three of the websites that have evolved into our current site. Thankfully, he not only has a fantastic eye for stylish and clear web design but he is technically savvy as well. This makes it possible for him to keep pace with the constant changes and updates we make to the web site so that it reflects all of our current pieces.

Carrie and Bob also happen to have a beautiful home and, lucky for us, a guest house, in this picturesque village which is where we often spend our summer holidays. Theirs is the perfect English garden complete with wall enclosure and pond.  Therefore, not surprisingly we thought it only fitting that they chose something from our hardware line for their new oak garden gate.

Do you recognize this piece?

It is from our Grapevine collection of architectural hardware and blends in perfectly with this beautiful English garden.

Now sit back and enjoy these beautiful pictures of the garden and quintessential English village.

A chilly Christmas Eve in Pembridge.

This village is beautiful in all seasons as you can see from this photo with red geraniums in full bloom.

Market Hall

To view our entire collection of custom hardware, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.