Design inspiration from Mother Nature

Mother Nature has certainly given us all a lesson with this year's extraordinary weather throughout the world.  Unprecedented snowstorms and below freezing temperatures have hit the eastern portion of the United States while unseasonably warm weather has wreaked havoc with winter sports at the Olympics in Sochi, Russia.  But, along with unusual weather patterns, she also provides us with extraordinary inspiration for color combinations, sculpture and other forms of artwork and design.

We often talk about how nature inspires Martin's designs.  For example, our popular Hedgerow  furniture and architectural hardware collections were inspired by the trees and shrubs found in our native England.  Our Ascot series of custom furniture features beautiful patterns of leaves and vines using the ancient japanning technique of inlay.  We offer many custom hardware pieces inspired by insects and other living creatures and Martin is currently working on new paintings that include one of his favorite subjects, the beetle.

If you are searching for design inspiration for a project, it might be a simple as taking a walk in the park, a hike in your local mountains or just open your own back door to come up with the perfect jumping off point for your color, hardware and textile selections.

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

Corrected HD Expo booth number for Martin Pierce

Ooops...my bad.  We have decided to occupy a larger booth at the upcoming HD Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada and our booth number has been changed to #4659 from the previously mentioned #4756.

We look forward to seeing all of you at the Expo where we will debut several new pieces as well as share some of our more popular collections of custom hardware.

Where to find us at the 2014 HD Expo

We recently shared with you our excitement about attending the 2014 HD Expo at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas Nevada.  We will setup residence in the exhibit hall and can be found in booth #4659.

Many of you have visited our booth at past events to view our custom hardware as well as see new products being debuted at the Expo.  This year will be no different as we will be debuting several new pieces.  We are particularly excited to share our new Morphic cylindrical door pull complete with LED lighting in the handle.  Not only will this make it easy to locate the door handle in a hotel, spa, nursing home or retirement facility for your hospitality clients, it is sure to cast a beautiful shadow due to the cutout pattern of the Morphic design.

So be sure and stop by our booth #4659 to introduce yourself, say hello and see what we have in store for 2014.

Countdown to HD Expo 2014

The countdown for what has become an annual trip for us, the HD Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, has begun and is on our calendar again this year.  We look forward to making this trek, seeing old friends, making new friends and, most importantly, sharing some new products with those of you who attend the expo. The 2014 HD Expo will be held on May 14-16 at the Mandalay Bay convention hall. Visiting this beautiful venue is a good enough reason to attend this conference. But, as in years past, the exhibit hall will be full of hundreds of companies sharing their newest products that they hope will make your job as hospitality designers and architects much easier.  Products range from architectural hardware and other FF&E products to items designed to fill the needs of an aging population to the latest innovations in countertop and flooring material and everything in between.

Once we are assigned a booth number we will share that information with you in the hopes that you will stop by and say hello and view our amazing selection of custom hardware that will enhance your current projects.  We plan on debuting a few new items as well like our Morphic handle enhanced with LED lighting.

In the meantime, you can view our entire collection at our site www.martinpierce.com.

Come and see in person how your custom hardware items are made

We are so excited to open the doors of our small showroom in Los Angeles, California to designers and homeowners alike.  We recently released this invitation to hospitality, residential and contract designers who are searching for just the right FF&E items for their upcoming projects:

COME SEE OUR RICH VARIETY OF LOCALLY MADE DOOR HANDLES Martin Pierce trade only atelier of fine custom door handles can now be viewed by local design professionals in the Los Angeles area. As our showroom is small we ask that you call to make an appointment to see our work in person.

Martin Pierce Hardware is an ASID Industry partner and we design and manufacture our custom and semi-custom door hardware here in Los Angeles using the lost wax method. The styles we offer range from contemporary to transitional to arts and crafts yet our work is original. We welcome designers to come and see our work in person at our modest showroom but ask that you call ahead tomake an appointment.

We look forward to sharing many of our unique hardware designs as well as the very interesting and environmentally friendly process of the ancient lost wax method.

To view our entire collection of architectural hardware and custom furniture, to make an appointment, or to download a catalog,  please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.

An exciting year ahead for Martin Pierce Custom Hardware

A new year always offers up the opportunity to sit back and review the past but to also look forward to what the next 12 months might bring.  Just six days into the new year and we already have plenty of things on our calendar guaranteed to keep us busy providing you with the perfect custom architectural hardware pieces for your upcoming projects.  Here is a little peak into our 2014 agenda:

• Let there be light!  We will be hoping to light up our Morphic cylindrical pull with small LED lights placed inside the cylinder, and debuting this amazing piece at the 2014 HD Expo in Las Vegas.  This new advancement will be so useful in nursing homes, hotels, and residences for not only the aging or impaired; but for anyone concerned about safety or for those looking to add something new and different to their project.
• We will also be releasing a new smaller Morphic pull in bronze and debuting this piece at the HD Expo as well.
• We will be very busy at the Expo this year introducing you to all these new products, including a new Ergo inspired lever that will function for a glass door. In  most cases, lever style hardware does not work on glass doors as the latch has to pass through the door but we are in the process of developing a surface mounted latch that will enhance the beauty of your glass doors.
• Martin will be developing more of his art pieces.  His paintings are fantasy pieces that depict imaginary insects with imaginary human figures and will be offered in limited edition prints or possibly giclees.  Martin will also be moving forward with fantasy insect sculptures in bronze that will be released as limited editions.  Very exciting!
• As mentioned above, we will be exhibiting at the 2014 HD Expo during the week of May 14-16th and will provide more information as to our location in the Exhibit Hall etc. in the coming weeks.  This will be our fourth visit to this convention and we are looking forward to seeing old friends and making new friends.

That is our year in a nutshell.  What does 2014 hold for you and your business?

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

Mixing it up with different metals in interior decor

With the current popularity of brass metals in interior decor many designers and clients alike question the possibility of mixing metals throughout a space.  For example, can you incorporate oil rubbed bronze architectural door hardware with stainless steel lighting fixtures in one space?  Will shiny and matte finishes compliment each other?  Is it necessary for cabinet hardware to match? These beautiful rooms may offer an answer to these questions:

Eclectic Kitchen by Chicago Kitchen & Bath Designers Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

The brass pendants provide an unexpected but lovely glow in contrast to the high polished stainless appliances, door hardware, bar stools and faucet.

In this dressing room, a combination of rubbed bronze door pulls and light fixtures warm up the coolness of the nickel faucets and accessories.

Mediterranean Bathroom by Aliso Viejo Interior Designers & Decorators D for Design

At Martin Pierce we offer a wide range of custom products in various metals that make it easy for you to mix your metals to your heart's content.  From functional items like drawer pulls and towel holders to complete entry door kits to whimsical products like our woodpecker doorknocker,

you will find just the right item in stainless steel and bronze.  Please contact us to discuss your client's bespoke hardware needs.

ADA requirements for door and window hardware

 

The baby boomer generation continues to age and, as a result, are experiencing the aches and pains and limitations associated with the aging process.  Furthermore, some statistics are reporting more than 50 million Americans have some level of disability that can make life challenging. The American Disabilities Act (ADA) regulates the building and construction industry and sets forth standards that basically make life safer and easier for those with disabilities or age-related challenges.   These guidelines address the use of wider doorways, ramps, grab bars, lower counters, etc.  Also addressed is the ability to easily access a public or commercial building and/or interior spaces through the use of appropriate door hardware.  These ADA requirements will insure that all people are able to easily and safely enter and exit a building and gain access to interior spaces such as restrooms, apartments and offices:

• Door hardware must push through or pull...no twist and turn knobs that may be difficult to grasp for some.
• Hardware must be installed 48 inches from the floor to accomodate those in wheelchairs
• Both window and door hinges must move with under 3 lbs of pressure

Many items in our collection of custom door hardware can be adapted to meet ADA standards as well as meet your clientele's needs.  Specifically, door and cabinet levers found in our Ergo and Morphic collections.

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

And the winner of our bronze drawer pull is......

In celebration of our 100th blog post we offered the first person who "liked" our new business Facebook page one of our beautiful swallow drawer pulls.  We have a lucky winner and her bird pull is flying her way now via the U.S. mail. Cast in bronze, this pull is a beautiful representation of the little birds that appear at the same time every year in San Juan Capistrano California to build their unique mud nests in the tile roofs of the local mission.  Once their job is complete they leave the area just as quickly as they arrived. Mother Nature really does create amazing creatures!

Martin is always inspired by nature and enjoys creating these beautiful pieces of miniature art that can double as functional hardware.  Our custom entryway sets modeled after some of those critters will create a memorable first impression while our unique door and drawer pulls, hinges and other architectural hardware pieces cast in the form of many familiar bugs, reptiles and things with wings found in our Animal collection will add that all important final detail that sets any home or business apart from its neighbors and competitors.

To see our entire collection of custom hardware or to discuss your special hospitality or residential project, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.

Summertime and the livin' is easy.....

What is your favorite summertime song?  Perhaps a rockin' Beach Boys tune or something sultry like "Under the Boardwalk"?  Whatever is it, I am sure that when you hear it you are immediately transported to a place that is warm, relaxing and stress-free, and isn't that what summer is all about? The calendar tells us that summer has arrived when the summer solstice occurs.  According to Wikipedia, this is when the earth's axis tilts so that the northern hemisphere is closest to the sun, resulting in the longest day of the year.   For the next several months the days will get shorter but, until then, we can all revel in the wonders of summertime livin'!

No real summer plans here but many people think it is always summertime in Los Angeles.  We do have seasons in California,  they are just not as pronounced as they are in other areas of the country.  But summer is always special.  Longer days to enjoy the beautiful beaches and those amazing sunsets that occur late into the evening.  A chance to experiment with a new summer cocktail, entertain outdoors and close shop early when it is just too beautiful to be indoors.

Fortunately, one of the summer items southern California does not have to suffer through are bugs.  But that did not stop Martin Pierce from creating wonderful and whimsical hardware designed after those pesky critters.  How cute would one of these be on your outdoor cabinetry or indoors at your beach or lakeside retreat?  For those of you working on commercial projects, consider adding this detail to an indoor spa or as guest room hardware in an appropriate location.

While not a bug, frogs are certainly a summertime resident and these frog pulls are so fun!

To view our entire collection of bug inspired bespoke hardware, visit us at www.martinpierce.com

Bring the garden indoors with floral hardware

I love fresh flowers whether they be in a vase on the table, growing wild in a field or popping up in strange cracks and crevices alongside the Los Angeles freeways.  After all, what is not to enjoy about glorious color and unique shapes that come to life once the sun comes out?  Most people would say they also enjoy the colors, scents and shapes of fresh flowers so why not greet your guests with a bouquet of flowers in your lobby or treat yourself and your family to fresh flowers in your home.   Sadly, when winter hits it can be difficult to find fresh flowers growing naturally in a garden or alongside those ubiquitous freeways  of ours.  No worries, you can enjoy the beauty of flowers with something as simple as hardware cast in the shape of your favorite flowers and vines.  Take a look:

Relive those wonderful island memories or just invite the feel of the tropics into your home or business with our wonderfully realistic orchid stem pull.

Capture the look of the wonderful hanging vines of the trumpet flower with this bronze pull hand cast by Martin Pierce.

Daisies are a perennial favorite.  They are simple and carefree and make you smile each time you look at them.  You can enjoy this little flower every day with our bronze daisy drawer pull.

And for those who enjoy simple greenery from Mother Nature, items like our bamboo pull or various leaf designs will certainly satisfy that need to add a touch of the outside to your indoor spaces.

While all of these hardware pieces have a touch of whimsy attached, the realism and attention to detail is a hallmark of every piece of custom hardware created by Martin Pierce; thereby turning these floral hardware items into a sophisticated detail for your retail boutique, small hotel or spa or for that discerning residential client looking for a touch of the garden in her home.

To view these pieces along with our entire collection of bespoke hardware, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.

Let's talk about the bathroom

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

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

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

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

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

Mix and match your hardware metals

Well we have returned from Las Vegas with both our pocketbook and our sanity in tact.  While our Morphic door pull did not win the Best New Product contest we do thank all of you who voted for it and also a big thank you to those of you who stopped by the booth to enjoy some of our new products as well as some of our favorites.  You can find out who won the 10 butterfly pulls we were giving away on this post. One of the new products we enjoyed debuting at the HD Expo was our classic Ergo collection now available in a warmer oil rubbed bronze as well as the always popular stainless steel model.  The contemporary and sensuous lines of this collection of door hardware takes on a different personality through the use of different metals.  This use of various mediums allows this style to freely travel between not only commercial and residential projects but in contemporary and more traditional locations as well.

What do you think--do you have a favorite metal?  To view our complete collection of custom hardware please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com