Making of Katydid

The latest insect in Martin Pierce’s collection of bronze insects and humanoid sculptures is complete. From design to mold and now to bronze, the Katydid, a central figure in Martin’s fictional world is being released as a limited edition of 30 pieces.

The story of this fictional world has evolved, and we now discover that this realm was named Katydom after the Katydids who were the original cultural custodians of this new society.

We discover that Katydids began the insect race, a competition that is central to the inhabitants of Katydom and that is held each year. Together they drafted the rules of the insect race, central to which is the rule prohibiting flying. With their long legs and great stride, you might incorrectly believe that the race favors the Katydid competitor but while their limbs have length, they lack strength and are slow moving competitors.

 The Katydid is more than an agile long-legged creature and has over time become the trusted custodian of all insect folk lore whether this be told pictorially or by writing. Much of the folklore is recorded as writing and symbols on the wings of many Katydid elders.

As the story develops so does the inspiration for new pieces for the collection. Currently Martin’s is designing a large Katydid wing with small illustrations of the landscape and inhabitants of Katydom.

 Video Announcement

“The Making of Katydid” is also the title of Maria Ramirez-Adam’s recent video that can be streamed online. With acumen Maria, in this short but detailed work has captured the progression of this piece from design to mold to sculpture. Her editorial skills allow us to clearly understand how and why Katydid’s wings are welded to the body and how the body of the insect is hollow cast. The film ends with clips of the hot patina process, and we see how the brown translucent pigment is applied and how the sculpture is then finished with hot wax which is burnished when cool.

While the content of the film is engaging its ability to captivate the viewer owes more to Maria’s skill as a perceptive film maker and to the fabulous audio quality captured by Craig Parker Adams, Winslow Ct. Studio

Stay Tuned for the Sequel

A short feature video is currently in post production and when released we will learn how Katydom was created and the roles played by it’s characters.

Maria Ramirez-Adams is a Los Angeles based videographer and artist and her work covers many hip aspects of local culture from reels showing the flare of local Pachucos and Pachuca to fascinating clips of jets arriving and leaving LAX.

Color Patinas For bronze

The intense colors of spring have inspired a new range of hot patinas that can be custom ordered for select insects pulls.

Dragonfly

The blue dasher is part the dragonfly family which is one of the largest insect groups in the world. Dragonflies are part of the skimmer family a name that aptly describes how they hover over water when mating and laying their eggs.

The red veined darter inspired our first dragonfly cabinet pull and the original carving and first castings were made in 1995. The first pieces in the cabinet pull collection were designed for our Ascot and Aspen limited edition furniture designs.

Common Blue Butterfly

Is a small butterfly most seen in the U.K and Ireland where it favors cool grassy meadows and woodlands.

Green long winged butterfly

The striking green- black markings of this long-winged butterfly were the basis for a new custom hot patina shown here. Butterflies and moths often display a distinctive array of colored patterns, and their geometry and repetition inspired our first butterfly pull which we used as cabinet door pulls on our Seicho style buffet.

Yellow Black bumble bee

Sadly, this bee, like many other insects is in decline through loss of habitat, pesticides, and inbreeding.

Hot patinas reason for minimum order

Creating a hot patina requires dexterity, a blow torch and keen concentration. The surface of the bronze needs to be finely sand blasted so that the surface has a slightly pitted texture. The pitted texture prevents the patina from sloughing off which is what would happen on a highly polished surface. Once sand blasted, the piece is firmly held with pliers and heated with a blow torch. Once hot the colored dye oxide is applied with a fine brush. During this process the piece must be repeatedly torched to maintain the temperature. The heat acts to open the surface pores of the metal thereby allowing the oxide to penetrate. The temperature is critical as too much heat will cause the oxide to crystallize and burn. The preparation of the piece and of the work area and tools are all time consuming and for this reason we require a minimum of 3 pieces for each order.

work and home come together from interior design dot net

http://www.interiordesign.net/articles/detail/36481-chicago-designers-say-offices-increasingly-like-home/

At a recent roundtable discussion of about 30 Chicago designers and architects, the talk turned not to fees or millennials but to office culture and live-work balance. The lively group spent most of its time discussing how office design was being driven by the merging of life-work time, with the two increasingly having little to no separation in today’s daily life. As Jim Prendergast, design director at Gensler in Chicago, said to the nods and laughter of others in the room, “It’s no longer work and life. It’s become one thing. Life is just life.” Invited by Interior Design to participate at the discussion, which was held at Soho House Chicago during the magazine's One Night Only Chicago networking event, the designers and architects also spent time talking about how workspace is becoming more authentic and real. “We are spending an increased amount of time finding out what makes a company distinctive. We have to discover what is the culture and the values,’’ said one designer, who talked about the space needing to reflect a company’s culture in an authentic way. “I get super worried about these clients who say they want their space to be ‘cool’, but it doesn’t fit with the company, “ continued the designer. “It’s just not authentic.” The client’s words may not match the reality of the company, agreed another designer. “When they [executives] say the company has an 'open-door' policy, how true is that?” asked one designer. “We can come up with design solutions, but the culture the client describes has to be embraced by everyone at that company to make it successful.” As home life and office life increasingly merge, the office is also becoming more like a home, with amenities and a feel-good atmosphere that is a must to attract top talent. “It seems they are looking at the environment more than they are looking at the salary or benefits plan,” said one designer of new hires who ask more about the firm’s space and amenities than about the firm itself. Added another designer: “These aren’t amenities anymore… these are expected. The question is what more can we give them?” It’s not just the lifestyle amenities that are part of attracting top talent. Everyone from young to old, the group agreed, is looking for cutting edge technology. Employees are looking at new or advanced technology as the norm. Being able to talk to outside offices, design and comment, send large image files and more—employees expect these and more at anytime without logging in, without having to download a program and within one tap of the screen or keyboard. Yet, not everyone can be cutting edge with technology or design. Most of the group agreed that their job also included being what one called "Truth Consultants," getting clients to see the reality of budget, space restrictions or even a corporate culture that may not embrace or benefit from a huge change. “Every e-commerce company we’ve worked with in the last three years, when asked who do you want to be, they all say Google,’ said Gensler’s Prendergast. “And that’s just impossible.”

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Parc Guell--the original gated community

As we begin to make the final preparations for our upcoming trip to Istanbul we are taken back to last summer's vacation destination of Barcelona Spain  where we looked forward to visiting and studying the works of Antoni Gaudi and other Catalan Modernists whom Martin has long admired.  One of our destinations while there was the Parc Guell, an area that could certainly be referred to as the original gated community!

Named after Count Eusebi Guell, what is now a public park was originally designed as a housing development inspired by the English garden city movement in which homes were planned around a community that was self-contained and included plenty of what we now refer to as greenbelts.  Visit any modern housing development and you will see this idea in play today.  Sixty lots were created with the intent of building luxury homes that took advantage of  the view and the fresh air, far from the smoky environment of the city. Count Guell chose Antoni Gaudi, a renowned architect of the time, to design the buildings and homes. Unfortunately, only two lots sold, forcing Guell to alter his plans.  He convinced Antoni Gaudi to purchase the "model home" that had been constructed and Gaudi moved in with his family and his father, where they lived until 1925, just a year before Gaudi's death.  This house is now the Gaudi House Museum and home to many of Gaudi's furniture and other designs.  If you are in the Barcelona area this historical museum is definitely worth a visit.

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

Designers can visit the showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, Ca  90016

(323) 939-5929

Happy Labor Day as we say goodbye to summer

Labor Day is a federal holiday that has become the unofficial signal that summer has come to an end.  But the fact is that the summer season does not officially end until the arrival of the Fall equinox, expected this year on Wednesday, September 23rd. We hope your summer was full of fun getaways or relaxing staycations and that the upcoming last quarter of the year is full of exciting projects.  So time to say good-bye to summer and hello to the cooler weather, shorter days and beautiful changes that Mother Nature brings us when autumn returns.

A very basic discussion of stainless steel door hardware

If you have been shopping for door and cabinet hardware for yourself or for a client you have, no doubt, discovered the wide variety of options from which to choose, from style and design to color and finish.  We offer a variety of custom door hardware designs in different finishes including stainless steel.

What is stainless steel?

Without providing you with a lot of technical information you may never use, the simple answer is that stainless steel, unlike ordinary steel, contains various alloys such as chromium and nickel that render it corrosion, tarnish and rust resistant.  And it is good for the environment as it is 100% recyclable.  You can learn more about stainless steel at MidAmerica Stainless and here.

Are there different types of stainless steel?

Yes.  The most commonly used for our purposes is steel from the 300 series which is non-magnetic and corrosion and rust resistant.  This durable steel is used in industrial and commercial applications as well as building applications in the form of hinges, locks and other types of door and window hardware, appliances and even countertops and kitchen backsplashes.

Here at Martin Pierce Custom Hardware we usually work with two types of stainless--304 and 316.

• While still very hard, 304 is softer and a bit easier to work with than the 316.
• We describe the 316 steel as a marine grade or rust resistant and is best used for outdoor projects.  This grade can be a real challenge to tool and polish.

But we think you will agree that both steels result in a beautiful finish for the contemporary door hardware designs found in our Ergo and Morphic collections:

Ergo

Morphic

To view stainless steel architectural hardware,  as well as our entire collection of custom hardware and lighting, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Designers can visit the showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90016

323 939 5929

National Dog Day

There is no doubt that pets add so much to our lives.  Therefore, we could not let National Dog Day pass us by without giving a nod to our wonderful Iris.

Iris is our pitbull that we rescued from The Rescue Train in Los Angeles over 4 years ago.  (or maybe she rescued us!)  She has been a faithful companion and a wonderful addition to our family.  Throughout the years we have shared with you bits and pieces of Iris' life including her play dates here at the office with her Corgi friend, Hoyt--

relaxing at the office---

the many hikes she has shared with us---

relaxing again, this time in the backyard---

Her playful side---

And her sleepy side---

Please share pictures and stories of your beloved dog with us.

You can view the entire collection of architectural hardware  at www.martinpiere.com.

Designers can visit the showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Tel: 323 939 5929

Yet another early grape harvest for California wineries

History has a way of repeating itself.  Back in August of 2013 we wrote about the early grape harvest and the reasons for it (weather related) and it appears that the grape growers in California are experiencing yet another early harvest blamed, you guessed it, on the weather.  KCRA better explains the situation but the lack of any real spring season this year has a lot to do with it and it is the earliest harvest the industry has seen in the past six years.  The good news is that an early harvest can produce some delicious wines so we all have something to look forward to!

We often share our love of the Paso Robles wine region and the wines they produce.  In fact, the beauty of this region is what originally inspired our Grapevine collection of custom hardware.

This collection includes two different styles of entry way hardware as well as interior levers and cabinet and door pulls.  This versatile design can be utilized in both commercial and residential installations and will provide that all-important detail to any project.

To view the Grapevine group as well as our entire collection of architctural hardware, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Designers can visit the showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90016

323 939 5929

"

Green design trends to watch for in 2016

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/5055366/Seasons-Living-Wall-Beverly-Hills-contemporary-landscape-orange-county] It's no secret that our natural resources continue to dwindle.  Therefore, the design of "green" or environmentally friendly buildings, including hotels and restaurants, is no longer just a trend but rather, a requirement set by both local and federal governments in many areas of the world.

Architects and hospitality designers are tasked with designing public and private spaces that are, at the same time, aesthetically pleasing and functional and energy efficient and sustainable.  There is a long list of methods these professionals employ in order to satisfy all the requirements mentioned.  Here are just a few:

• Capturing natural light can help reduce the amount of energy necessary to light a space.  Plenty of over-sized windows, dual and triple paned, can provide the light as well as reduce noise and heating and cooling costs.
• Green roofs have been around for a while now but this idea has now moved to walls as well.  These "living" walls help to naturally insulate a building, improve air quality and provide privacy as well as creating something that is simply attractive to see.
• Supporting local business by hiring local workers, purchasing from local businesses and using products indigenous to the area are all ways hospitality designers and architects are saving money on projects and minimizing any negative impact their projects may have on a community.  This also reduces transporation costs and energy usage--both major concerns when it comes to green building.
• Metered and electronic faucets help reduce water usage--a must-have after what has been labeled the hottest summer on record across the globe.

Along with designing buildings and rooms that are accomodating to those with any physical or age-related challenges, hospitality designers and architects have their hands full; but they continue to deliver beautiful projects throughout the world.

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

Designers and architects can visit the showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, Ca  90016

323 939 5929

Before, during and after- our drought tolerant garden update.

When we last updated you our backyard looked something like this--

And now, with the drip system in place

we have been able to plant many varieties of drought tolerant plants and this area now looks like this--

Before the construction--

And where we are now--

As you can see, our little ceramic birdbath remains part of the new design plans, which I am certain will make our feathered friends happy.  Some of the plants and grasses we decided to use include:

• This Golden barrel cactus – Iris beware!

• 

• Aeonium clyclops
• Agave
• Blue fescue - a hardy drought resistant grass

The next step will be to put down the decomposed granite and sand to create pathways.

We purchased all of the exotic plants from World Wide Exotics Nursery and the blue fescue grass from Armstrong Nursery in Glendale.

We will keep you posted as we complete each step of this transformation.

Have you altered your landscape as a result of the drought conditions?

To view our entire collection of architectural hardware, please vist our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Designers can visit the showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90016

323 939 5929

What was your most memorable vacation--as we revist past vacation posts

Summer is nearing the end and our vacation destinations this year have been relatively close to home so I thought it might be interesting to relive some of our past vacations, both to far away places and nearby: England

In September of 2012 we journeyed back home to England to visit friends and family.  We shared many of our adventures such as scuttling races, quaint villages and the beauty of both old and new London.  This is also where the inspiration for our popular Hedgerow collection of custom hardware began many years ago.

Spain

Fall of 2014 found us in Barcelona Spain enjoying the trip of a lifetime.  We spent days visiting and admiring the work of Antoni Gaudi .  His awe-inspiring designs are certainly inspirational and we spent many  enjoyable hours soaking up every little detail.

 Local

We have enjoyed many "local" trips to areas that include Griffith Park, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Idyllwild, Pt Reyes and a road trip that introduced us to the grandeur of the Grand Tetons.  The beauty of these areas never ceases to amaze us as we enjoy the wildlife, scenery and all that Mother Nature has to offer.  Many times our beloved Iris is able to join us and no one enjoys a hike quite like Iris does.

We are looking forward to more travel as we depart for Istanbul in late September.  We will be viewing plenty of examples of Moorish architecture and other sites and will be certain to share photos;  so, happily, vacation time has not ended quite yet for us.

What was your most memorable vacation?

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

Designers can visit the showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, a  90016

323 939 5929

Lighting options--Wall sconces

Residential and hospitality designers alike know the power of a good lighting plan for interior spaces.  Accent lighting is equally as important to a room as ambient and task lighting and can be achieved using various types of lighting fixtures.  One such fixture is a wall sconce. A sconce is defined as "a candle holder, or a holder of another light source, that is attached to a wall with an ornamental bracket."  Wall sconces are intended for use as accent lighting although certain circumstances may call for sconces to act as task lighting.  They are often hung along a hallway or flanking a fireplace mantel, headboard, bathroom mirror or a beautiful picture window.  Like our custom wall sconces, the designs often cast an interesting pattern onto the wall and offer soft illumination to any space.

We recently ventured into the world of lighting design when we introduced our new wall sconce designs at the 2015 HD Expo in Las Vegas this past May.  As we have mentioned in previous posts, we are big fans of "Game of Thrones" and that is evident in the details and design of our Dragon Egg wall sconce.

Along with the stylized back plate and finial, perforations meant to mimic the membrane that lines an egg allow the light to shine through.

In this photo, traditionally styled wall sconces line a hallway and offer illumination as well as an interesting design element.

Traditional Hall by Atlanta Architects & Building Designers Kemp Hall Studio

And this very contemporary wall sconce in a home in Melbourne Australia offers soft lighting in an art form.

Contemporary Bedroom by Melbourne Interior Designers & Decorators Sally Caroline

Another pair of artfully design wall sconces help make this fireplace the focal point of the room.

Contemporary Living Room by Los Angeles Interior Designers & Decorators Burnham Design

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

Designers can visit the showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, Ca  90016

323 939 5929

Five elements of a drought resistant garden

Mediterranean Landscape by Santa Barbara Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Pat Brodie Landscape Design

We recently shared with you the beginnings of a new landscape project in our garden--in other words turning our backyard into a drought resistant oasis.  While we will share some of the more exciting details of installing a drip system at a later date, we thought it might prove helpful to list a few elements necessary for a drought resistant garden that will work in both residential and commercial applications.

1. Hardy plants.  While succulents may be the first type of plant that comes to mind, there are many plant varieties that are able to survive, and even thrive, in a drought.  To name a few- recognizable plants like the Bird of Paradise, day lilies, California poppy, and even the beautiful and flowering hibiscus will add color and variety to a garden. Selecting plants that are native to your area or from a similar climate is a good place to start but check with your local nursery experts to find just the right plant species for your location.
2. Irrigation.  An efficient irrigation system is key to maintaining a beautiful garden at any time but especially during a drought or in a water challenged environment.  The experts will be able to help you determine the right type of watering system for your area.
3. Hardscape.  Hardscaping is defined as "the placement of nonplant elements such as fences, walkways, paving, and lighting in a planned outdoor area."  Gravel pathways, for example, can replace large expanses of water hungry sod and small patios or seating areas will create little backyard "getaways" where you can enjoy a quiet drink, read a book or sneak in an afternoon nap.
4. Shade.  Shade is one of nature's natural air conditioners.  Even palm trees will provide a bit of shade during the day and that will keep any plants, and you, cooler.
5. Personality.  Drought resistant or not, every garden needs a bit of personality.  A beautiful fountain will provide the soothing sounds of water while a unique sculpture, hand-thrown pots or custom lighting will add ambience to even the smallest of gardens.

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

Designers can visit the showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, Ca  90016

323 939 5929

Martin Pierce Hardware in the news

Recently we had the distinct pleasure of meeting Jim Gilbert, the publisher of the online publication Curating Los Angeles (CLA).  He and his lovely wife, Susan, visited our studio/workshop to see how our products are created. Jim became familiar with our products while remodeling his own home and searching for unique cabinet hardware for a guest bath.  He ultimately purchased two of the bronze moth pulls  from our Animal collection and the rest, as they say, is history.

What follows are highlights of our conversation.  You can read the entire interview on their website www.curatingla.com.

Late last year my wife and I undertook a major remodel of our kitchen and master bath. While we were at it, we also decided to upgrade a few other parts of the house, such as our guest bathroom. One goal for that room was to find unique pulls for a wall-mounted cabinet that would make it much easier to open its doors.

While browsing in a local decorative hardware store, we found a line of animal themed pulls that fit the bill. After looking at display samples and thumbing through a catalog, we decided to purchase two beautiful bronze moths. You can see one in the following photo.

While I was very excited to add these distinctive pulls to our bathroom, I was equally thrilled to learn that they were designed and hand crafted in Los Angeles by Martin Pierce Hardware. I immediately wanted to meet the people behind this business, hear their story and learn how they produce their products. So I reached out and set up an appointment with Martin and Anne Pierce, the owners of the business.

What follows is an edited transcript of my in person conversation with Martin and Anne that took place on July 2, 2015. Since my wife joined me for this interview, we both asked the questions. To streamline the conversation in written form, I have consolidated our questions and present them below under the acronym CLA (i.e. Curating Los Angeles).

————–

CLA: What brought you to Los Angeles?

ANNE: We’re both from Worcester England and we met in London. Martin was trained as a woodcarver and a sculpture, and that was where it all began. We left England in 1980 and came directly to LA. We were actually heading to San Francisco but it didn’t work out. By the time we landed and spent some money there wasn’t any left to get to San Francisco.

CLA: Was your intention to start this business when you arrived here?

ANNE: I don’t know what we were really planning.

MARTIN: We were really here on a mission just to check it out. I brought my carving tools with me. We just started to make furniture initially for people in Beverly Hills – cabinets, chairs. We got some pieces in the Pacific Design Center within just a few weeks.

CLA: How do you two work together?

ANNE: We didn’t use to. My background is law, but I never practiced here. I really wanted out. I eventually took over the business side of things. It became obvious it would be better if I became involved.

CLA: Were you always located in this building?

MARTIN: We originally had a space in downtown LA but then the Northridge earthquake happened. The building cracked down the middle because it was brick.

Anne was in real estate at that time. We were able to buy this place. It made sense. It’s a stucco building and it’s not going to fall down. So we’ve been in this space for about 20 years.

CLA: How did you get from furniture to cabinet hardware?

MARTIN: Because I made a lot of case goods I needed the correct pulls for the drawers and doors. I couldn’t find anything I liked so I made my own. I created the design, carved them in wood and found a foundry that would make them for us. So we sold the furniture with our pulls on them. It just evolved from there.

ANNE: All the pulls originally came from a particular piece of furniture. The moth pulls that you own came from a sideboard.

Eventually we felt that if we’re going to make cabinet pulls why not make door hardware too. It was a big leap because it’s quite different from non-functional pulls. They have moving parts and locks.

CLA: Do you seek out relationships with architects?

ANNE: Absolutely. We sometimes produce a custom piece and then use that design as inspiration for a production line. Pieces evolve over time.

Thank you, Jim, for the lovely article.

Designers can visit our showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles CA  90016

323 939 5929

You can view the complete Animal collection, as well as our entire selection of architectural hardware at www.martinpierce.com.

Custom designed bar stools continue to delight clients

Regardless of what type of business you are in, it is always nice to receive positive comments about your product or service.  Such was the case when we received this lovely note from San Diego based interior designer, Dora French, who placed several barstools from our Hedgerow furniture collection in this beautiful home:

"As a Designer it is very important I provide both comfort and the right look to fullfill my client's desire for their own “dream home." In addition to their great look, the Hedgerow chair is incredibly comfortable. The depth of the seat is plenty to allow you to sit back and feel secure while the wooden back is very comfortable and shaped to fit the back and the arms are at just the right height for ease of use.  So many of the counter/barstools  being made in today’s environment are "Apartment Sized”. They have a smaller seat and do not allow you to sit for longer times at an island area; and many are backless, which will shorten the time you find yourself wanting to spend at an island.  In today’s Great Room Style living, the island area is the very gathering spot for families and friends.  It is crucial for a designer to make sure to provide comfort as well as create the desired "look" and the Hedgerow chair successfully allows for both.”

We look forward to working with Dora again as she uses the Hedgerow design in a current project.  It also pleases us to know that the style and fit of our Hedgerow bar chair has not gone out of fashion, providing some proof that a well-designed and comfortable piece of furniture is timeless.

To view the Hedgerow furniture collection as well as our complete collection of architectural hardware, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Designers can visit the showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90016

323 939 5929

An inspiration takes form as Martin works on a sculpture

We have mentioned numerous times on this blog of how inspired Martin is by beetles, moths, lizards and other creatures, along with their unique habitats.  This is evident in many of the bespoke hardware designs found in our collections. One of the most fascinating creatures are beetles.  We have studied many of them and even owned a pair of Hercules Beetles we fondly named Boris and Natasha.  While they are no longer with us, they did provide Martin with a great deal of information as to their form and lifestyle and he has begun working on a one-of-a-kind sculpture partially inspired by the study of Boris and Natasha.

Martin is making a large sculpture of 2 fighting stag beetles. The concept came from a piece he did many years ago in England.  He carved this piece out of ebony as this wood is close in color to the stag beetle and also, because at this point in our careers we had neither the money nor the audience to sell such art pieces cast in expensive bronze. It is our hope that there may now be an audience for a bronze sculpture such as this.  The current sculpture is of 2 stag beetles in battle on a large piece of bark.  One problem we have encountered was how to cast the bark.  We thought we could actually use a nature made piece so we went in search of a suitable tree.  We have an amazing Pepper tree in our front garden but could not use it without fear of damage. So we got in contact with our arborist ----- Victoria Monson and her husband Daryl of C.O. Arboritsts and they very kindly offered to keep us posted of any suitable trees they were felling. So when a large oak was marked for felling Martin drove to Pasadena and chose the best section of trunk to use as a pattern for the bark sculpture.

The photos follow the process of preparing the tree trunk, shaping it so that it could be used as the pattern for the bark sculpture.  Normally Martin would actually sculpt his patterns from "thin air" as his creative imagination came to life in wax or wood. But since there is a lot of beautiful bark available he decided to manicure an actual tree trunk.

In order, these photos show how he chose the section and then chiseled it to essentailly form a trench. The next step was to make a barricade around the recessed trench by nailing strips of wood to form an outer wall and the last photo shows how the trough was filled with clay to make this area level.

The next step in the sculpting process will be preparing the mold...

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

Designers can visit the showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, Ca  90016

323 939 5929

Details of our trip to Pt Reyes California

Well we were certainly not disappointed in spotting wildlife, beautiful vistas and even an occasional beetle on this trip to Pt. Reyes, California.

On our hikes we came across California poppies, lupins and thistles and even I had to hold a Darkling beetle.  As you will see in weeks to come, while this specific beetle is not the one Martin has used in the sculptures he is currently working on, like all beetles he finds them riveting and I must admit I have caught his enthusiasm.

We discovered that we could walk 9.4 miles if the views kept us motivated, and they surely did.

We started out prepared with a huge sandwich big enough for 2 from Perry's Deli in Inverness  and began an amazingly scenic and surprisingly easy walk along the Tomales Point Trail.  This is the trail that takes you through Tule Elk Preserve and follows the ridge line of a peninsula bordered on the west side by the Pacific Ocean and on the east by the calmer waters of Tomales Bay.  On our visit here last summer we saw a herd of elk when we took the Muddy Hollow Trail but this time we were able to get up close and almost  personal with a very tolerant herd who viewed us with cool indifference.

We also came across this one horned juvenile elk and just had to take his photo. Apparently elk and deer go through one pair of juvenile horns before they get their "permanent" set and when they are shedding the first set it would appear that they don't necessarily drop off at the same time, hence the one horned phenomena. Neither this buck nor his companions seemed to find his lopsided quality odd or humorous, but we did.

Apart from the amazing Elk we also saw a Northern Harrier  Hawk catch a very fat rat and 2 windswept ravens enjoying the views; all  this in a setting that,thankfully, had very few other humans.

We returned with our friends to the tranquility of Osprey Peak Bed and Breakfast where our hosts David and Nancy had left the necessaries for us to brew some hot tea. The bed and breakfast is situated in a dense wooded area just outside Inverness and spoils us with vistas of thick foliage on the edge of a ravine.

To view our collection of architectural hardware, as well as Martin's sculptures, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Designers can visit the showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, Ca  90016

A mid-summers getaway to Pt. Reyes

One of the amazing things about living in California is that you do not have to go far to find a change of scenery or climate.  Such is the case for us as we travel north to Pt. Reyes National Seashore, located in Marin County.  This beautiful part of northern California provides us with a change from the sandy and smooth beaches of southern California to a more rugged coastline ripe for exploration and cooled by the breezes and fog from the Pacific. We will be taking some lovely long hikes and hope to again see herds of wild elk and maybe see a stag as we did last year, which is just such a magical experience.

Elk spotted on hike at Pt. Reyes park in California. Photo by Martin Pierce Los Angeles, CA 90016

Bird spotting is just a given and any insects we find along our path will, of course, be photographed.  You never know what new  custom hardware products will be inspired by this trip!

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

Designers can visit the showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90016

323 939 5929

How does a new product evolve at Martin Pierce Hardware?

The process of designing and developing new products is a timely one.  A new idea may be inspired by something we have seen in nature, on our travels or as a result of a client's specific request, which was the case when we created these amazing door handles for a private wine cellar.

One of the new products we are currently working on is adding LED lights to our small Morphic handle and while it may seem like an easy task, it is anything but easy!

• We must first re-design and make a new pattern that is 5% bigger than the current one we use in order to accommodate an LED bulb.  This is one of the ongoing research and development costs that are inherent to any creative manufacturing process. Fortunately, we enjoy what we do and actually get a real buzz from improving a product or offering an alternative to an existing product.
• While there are plenty of LED lights on the market the one we are testing is certified for use in wet locations, which is important for any door handle.
• During the design process we must find a style that we both agree works for the new product.  Currently we have 5 designs for new caps on the pulls but have not been able to agree on which one is best.  Not to worry as we both know that when the right one is drawn we will both know it!  And since Martin is a doodler by nature, coming up with new designs is no problem.

We are also contemplating adding an LED light to the Morphic Heroic pull. This will not be easy and may well prove too costly.  The molds for this piece are very difficult  to make and there are several molds used in one handle. We need to figure out how to increase the diameter of this piece so it is large enough to house a small LED light.

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

Designers can visit the showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, Ca  90016

323 939 5929

Hotel and travel expectations of today's millennials

Millennials, also known as Generation Y, are defined as "a person reaching young adulthood around the year 2000."  They have taken over, in numbers, the Baby Boomers, making them a generation to be reckoned with!

Tech savvy and hooked on social media, the number of young adults in this group is estimated to be around 80 million!  That is an awful lot of travellers with very specific expectations when they do travel.  According to a survey conducted last year by Chase Card Services, whether for business or pleasure, this group of sophisticated young adults search for specific amenities when looking to book a hotel.  By familiarizing themselves with these expectations, hospitality designers can create spaces that they will, hopefully, return to time and again and share positive experiences with their fellow millennials via social media.

• Access to spas, massages, gyms and other luxury amenities
• A pet-friendly hotel
• Personal services such as dry cleaning
• Easy access to public transportation.  At the very least, shuttles that will pick up and drop off
• Reward programs are important to this group of travelers, especially those that offer elite status
• A tech friendly environment.  This group is not shy about posting about their experience as well as seeking the opinion of others before making hotel selection
• Well-designed lobbies that allow guests to meet and interact.  New and bold designs and ideas will attract their attention.

To view our entire collection of architectural hardware that will add that all important detail and touch of elegance to your hospitality projects, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Designers can visit the showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90016

323 939 5929