Light up your walls with our new floral sconce

There is no reason wall lighting needs to be strictly functional or have a utilitarian appearance.  We believe that wall hung lanterns can be stylish and beautiful while providing ambient or task lighting. Our new floral sconce meets all this criteria.  It will certainly cast a warm glow throughout the room and is just as beautiful during the day as it is in the evening when the bulb shines through.

The openwork design of this wall sconce was inspired in large part by our trip to  Granada. last year.  It consists of a series of interlocking leaves similar to a type of plant  we saw quite often as a garden shrub in the Albayzin  quarter of Granada.  The sconce also has a Moorish quality particularly in the cap of the lamp, inspired, no doubt, on some subliminal level by our visit to the Alhambra.

It is lit with a small LED light that casts intriguing shadows on the wall.  We will be moving on to the task of NRTL ( Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories) approval within the next few months.

The Floral lamp measures:

Diameter 5"

Depth 7" from wall to Outer edge

Height 16  1/2"

and will be available in bronze as shown and also in steel.

We will be debuting this wall sconce at the upcoming 2015 HD Expo so be sure and stop by our booth #2277 for an in-depth look at this stunning light fixture.

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

Revisiting 3D printers

As it is in most businesses, research and development plays a big role in the process of creating custom hardware that is not only functional and attractive but is in keeping with the times, so to speak. Today's "times" is all about technology.  For example, how do we create a door handle that is unique in design while still allowing one to enter a building and, at the same time, meets the needs of those with physical challenges and employs new technology like LED lighting for safety.  Technology like 3D printers, for example, can certainly make this task faster and easier.

In February we attended the 3D Printer World Expo here in Los Angeles.  You can read all about our visit in our blog post here.  We continue to investigate whether the cost of such a printer is worth it for our business and here are some of our questions:

•  While a cylinder 16” long with an outside wall of 1.6” and inside wall of 1.5” is not difficult to create a 3D file for, how do I get the organic holes cut in a piece like our Morphic design? Originally Martin cut these out on a scroll saw and then, to create a softer hole, refined and softened each hole by hand using files and different grades of sandpaper.

• 

• Can the 3D scanner simply scan the existing pattern and then increase the  overall image  by 5%?  Not as easy as one thinks.  Since this design is a hollow cylinder it is difficult for the scanner to read the depth of each hole.
• Can the scanner read the holes if we insert a piece of white paper inside the cylinder thus showing the depth of each hole?
• Would it give us a better new pattern if we simply traced the holes from the existing pattern onto a piece of flat paper, scanned the tracing to create another 3D file which could be superimposed onto the 3D cylinder file?  We would then have to go in and for each hole define the depth and softness.  Would this take too much programming time and thus not be cost effective?

I have described this at length so that you can get an idea of how time consuming and costly it is to develop any new product.  This can be risky,  especially if you do not know whether you even have a market for it.  The process of costing a new product really forces you to hone your designs at the early stages.

This takes me full circle to saying that we thoroughly enjoy what we do and find the challenge of making this all work a lot of fun.

To view our entire collection of custom 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

Ten helpful tips for trade show exhibitors

This year marks our 5th journey to the HD Expo and, along the way,  we have learned a great deal about selecting products to display, creating a pleasing display and learning to transport and set up a booth ourselves.  Last year we shared a checklist that works for us and are wondering if this checklist also works for other exhibitors.  Here is a "replay" of last years blog post:

1. Select the size and type of booth you will be renting.  Will it be a corner booth, how close to the entrance is it, are there complimentary exhibitors nearby etc?
2. Decide which pieces you will be debuting and which signature pieces to take
3. Design and make the plinths and mock-up doors that will display your pieces
4. Design the fabric banners that will separate and enclose your booth
5. Decide how much to spend promoting your booth at the show. This is in one of the most expensive aspects of the show as it involves upgrading your listing on the official website by adding images that can be showcased on the site; enhancing your appearance in the official Show Guide with a full page or half page advert; promoting attendance at your booth by means of a physical postcard mailing etc.
6. Arrange transportation for both you and your products.  Fortunately for us we are within driving distance so we rent a van and drive to the show 2 days before the show begins.  This allows us plenty of time to set up the booth.
7. Book accommodations – we always rent a self-contained flat so we can have our breakfast and dinner in a quiet and calm environment.
8. Rent a lead retrieval system so that you can scan and record details about people visiting your booth
9. Rent necessary chairs and tables from the show administrators
10. On arrival find out where you need to unload your van and if you are able to use the “caddie” system to get your products to your booth. This is very effective as you literally pay the staff by the trip to move your pieces on a small electronic cart. If you have larger displays then you will have to crate your goods, organize a shipping company and hope that nothing gets damaged. You also will have to pay substantially for what is known as “material handling” which is the cost of getting your crate delivered to your booth. We have been down this road before and as a result re-designed our booth to easily “break down” into easily manageable components.

While we will follow the same process this year our booth numbert, #2277, is different as well as our giveaway product.  The first ten visitors to our booth at this year's Expo will receive one of our silver-plated orchid cabinet knobs.  This exquisite depiction of this romantic flower is certainly a work of art that you can enjoy however you choose to use it in your home or office.

We  look forward to meeting you and discussing your upcoming hospitality design projects hardware needs and we know you will enjoy viewing some of our new products that will be making their debut.

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

The changing seasons at Martin Pierce Hardware

All anyone needs to do is step outside and take a deep breath to know that springtime has finally arrived (and summer is just around the corner).  Here in Los Angeles that means there is a slight chill in the air that burns off with the morning clouds and moves into a sunny and mild afternoon before the evening clouds roll in.  Purple Jacaranda trees line the freeways and orange and yellow poppies are in bloom.

Design professionals know how to capture the feeling of spring year-round through the use of beautiful fabrics, artwork and custom details that include bespoke hardware.  Here at Martin Pierce Hardware we  also celebrate this season with custom hardware collections that will add a permanent touch of spring to your next hospitality or residential project. Birds and bees and butterflies can be found in our Animal collection while a garden full of floral designs are featured in the Flora collection.

If you are looking for some design inspiration or just desiring an afternoon surrounded by beautiful flowers there are many spots in the Los Angeles area:

• The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens.  We have posted about this amazing site many times on this blog and it is definitely worth the drive.
• The Getty Center offers more than a world-famous collection of art.  Their gardens and walkways are a work of art themselves and offer you a respite from the long days spent in the museum.
• If tropical and unusual plants are more to your liking then be sure and check out the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens located on the UCLA campus.

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

HD Expo 2015 will be here before you know it.

It is hard to believe that the 2015 HD Expo is just a mere 5 weeks away.  The conference runs from May 13-15th but, as exhibitors, we arrive to set up our booth the day before and then de-construct the booth once the conference is over. As they state on their webpage, "HD Expo is the premier trade show and hospitality conference for its industry. Established in 1992 and presented by Hospitality Design magazine, it remains at the forefront by offering the newest and most innovative products and services, encouraging and sharing ideas, providing inspiration and connecting hospitality professionals..."

Our booth is #2277 and is definitely worth a visit.  We will be debuting several new pieces including our new wall sconces and our highly anticipated LED door handle from the Morphic collection.

We will also be awarding to the first ten visitors to our booth one of our orchid cabinet pulls from the Flora collection.  This beautiful pull is an excellent illustration of the attention Martin pays to details that actually turn it into a functional little piece of art.

To view our entire collection of architectural hardware, including the Morphic and Flora collections, 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

April showers bring metal May flowers

The beautiful blooming cherry blossoms shown above are certainly inspirational, as is most of nature.  And, as with other artists, designers and architects, Martin looks to nature for new ideas when designing new hardware pieces or venturing into new territory as he did with our soon to be debuted wall sconces.

We recently shared with you a photo of our new candlesticks that we will be debuting at the upcoming 2015 HD Expo.  In doing some research we have discovered that metallic floral depictions in the form of sculpture and artwork are a great way to introduce a touch of springtime to your interior design projects without the requirement of watering, pruning, fertilizing etc.

Along with out own beautiful floral inspired candleholder

you can also add the beauty of flowers with items like:

or this amazing display framed in acrylic boxes by well-known artist Tommy Mitchell

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

Designers can visit our showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90016

(323) 939-5929

Baha Mar Resort features bespoke Martin Pierce Hardware

Two minds are greater than one is often the case, as it was with our collaboration with Mike Hong of MHA on the hardware pieces for the new Baha Mar Resort in what is being called the Riviera of the Carribbean, the Bahamas. Mike is the design director for Baha Mar.  Sea themes provided the inspiration to adaptations made to our Morphic collection but he added the scrolled mollusk ends and a unique color that took the piece to a new level. The entire piece was cast in stainless steel, using a high percentage of recycled metal, and we added the stunning custom blue interior that reflects the resorts marine blue brand color.

This is the press release that was sent out:

PRESS RELEASE FOR SERPENTINE CUSTOM HANDLE FOR BAHA MAR PROJECT

The Serpentine Blue handles were designed by Martin Pierce in collaboration with Mike Hong of MHA

and will be one of several handle styles made by Martin Pierce that will be showcased this year at the

opening of the Baha Mar luxury resort.

Mike Hong, the design director for Baha Mar added a fittingly marine spin to Pierce’s Morphic design by

incorporating mollusk ends and by highlighting the interior with the resorts marine blue brand color.

The handles are cast in stainless steel and will be one of the highlights to the common areas of this

luxury resort.

For more details please contact:

Anne Pierce

and this is the custom hardware that can be found throughout the resort:

The pink coloration added a bit of fun and also tied in with the pink color that is being used on other surfaces throughout the resort:

To view our entire collection of custom 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

Art inspired by nature come together in a beautiful rug

You are probably familiar wit the old riddle "What came first, the chicken or the egg?" Well, a few days ago I shared a photo I had taken with my iPhone of two sphinx moths mating under the light on my front porch.  I referenced the amazing pattern displayed on their wings and how it provided inspiration throughout the years for many forms of art including Native American rugs and pottery. Lo and behold, I recently ran across this photo of a beautiful home in Aspen designed by Tracery Interiors and was amazed by the resemblance in the rug pattern to the open wings of the moths.  So which came first...the moth or the rug?

To view the entire collection of architectural hardware, including our moth pull in our Animal collection, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Designers can stop by our showroom located at:

5433 W Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90016

323 939 5929

HD Expo 2015 update

As we count down the days and weeks before we pack up and make our way north to Las Vegas we have been teasing you with a few hints at items we will be debuting at this year's HD Expo.  One such item is the illuminated Morphic door pull that is definitely worth seeing.

The open work design of the Morphic collection is a natural fit for the addition of a lighting feature which adds an element of surprise to the more obvious benefits of easy to locate entry hardware and statement making design.

You can view this new addition to the Morphic collection along with all the details that went into this design by stopping by our booth #2277 at the 2015 HD Expo.  And remember that the first ten visitors to our booth will receive one of our exquisite orchid cabinet knobs as our way of saying "Nice to meet you."

To view the entire Morphic and other collections please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.  Designers can visit our showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, Ca  90016

all photos by Doug Hill

Hardware design inspiration from an iPhone photo?

Has anyone else noticed the huge billboards on Vine Ave in Hollywood advertising iPhone? According to this article, they are part of a worldwide campaign from Apple.  So I thought I would add one of my own iPhone photos. We have two ceramic sconces outside our front door that always attract all manner of insects and occasionally we get a rather beautiful image to shoot.

We spotted these two mating moths late Sunday morning and snapped this photo.  They are white striped Hawk or sphinx moths.  We originally spotted them around midnight on Saturday but they were still entwined in the throes of passion on Sunday morning when I decided to take this photo.   You can see from this shot how much native American art has been inspired by the amazing geometric markings on the body and wings of these beautiful moths. Having metamorphosed from pupae to moth they come up from the ground, feed on sweet nectar and look for a mate.

We have been thinking about a new door pull series that will use geometric patterns derived from flowers, and now moths, that will be influenced on some level by this new image.  As you may be aware, we have a very stylized moth in our drawer pull series and we are now thinking about a flock of them together as a geometric door pull. At the moment, however, this idea is in its own pupae stage.

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

Designers can stop by our showroom located at:

5433 W Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90016

MOTH SITES:

http://www.desertusa.com/insects/sphinx-moths.html

Spotlight on architectural hardware collections at Martin Pierce---Morphic

One of the more popular lines of architectural hardware at Martin Pierce Hardware is our Morphic collection.  One look at the sleek design and interesting texture of these pieces and it is easy to understand it's popularity.

On our website we describe it this way: "Fluid contemporary designs are the basis for this innovative style of decorative door hardware. Cast in steel, these hardware pieces are extremely contemporary but when cast in bronze the effect is reminiscent of the Art Nouveau style."

The openwork design of this grouping makes it the perfect candidate for innovative customization options like the addition of a powder coated color:

or an LED lighting feature that will be debuted at this years HD Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.  This collection also underwent some color and form changes for the new Baha Mar Resort in the Bahamas.  More on this exciting project to come.

The collection also includes large and small pulls for cabinetry and furniture, passageway knobs, entry way levers that can be adapted to meet ADA standards and our majestic entry door pulls that will make a great first impression to all who enter a residence, hotel, spa or other hospitality project.  Here is a sampling of the collection:

To view the entire Morphic and other collections of custom hardware, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Designers please stop by our showroom at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, Ca  90016

323 939 5929

Spring Equinox has arrived!

The arrival of the spring equinox is just two days away and that, I am certain, is good news for many people who have endured this very long and cold winter.  So, in honor of the changing season I thought I would offer up a little bit of springtime inspiration for your enjoyment.  As you will see, the world is certainly an amazing place--regardless of the season!

You can view our entire collection of architectural hardware, often inspired by Mother Nature, by visiting our site at www.martinpierce.com.  Designers, please stop by our showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90016

323 939 5929

Our location at the 2015 HD Expo

It is hard to believe that the 2015 HD Expo is exactly 60 days from today!  The first quarter of this year has just flown by what with preparations for the Expo as well as working on other projects.

We have been assigned our booth location.  You can find us in booth #2277  in the Exhibitor's Hall.   We are excited to share with you some new products (more on these later) as well as display some of your favorites from past shows.  Suffice it to say our Morphic Heroic door pull has undergone some amazing changes!

As we have done in past shows, we will be awarding to the first ten visitors to our booth one of our silver plated orchid cabinet knobs.  Pretty and feminine and wonderfully detailed, this knob will add an elegant touch to your home or office.

And be sure and check out our new lighting collection that we are debuting at this year's Expo.  Game of Thrones fans will enjoy the new designs.

To view many of our architectural hardware collections, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Designers can visit our showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90016

323 939 5929

Interior design trend alert: the art of chinoiserie and japanning

The art of Chinoiserie (meaning chinese-esque in french) is re-appearing as an interior design trend for 2015.

In and out of popularity since it was first introduced to western Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries, it is often found on wallcoverings, fabrics and porcelain  decorative objects.  Designs included depictions of life in the Orient, exotic birds and insects and plenty of floral motifs.  Its popularity was due, in part, to how well it complimented the then popular Rococo style of architecture and decor.  Chinoiserie represented wealth and luxury and names like Rothschild and Getty, along with royalty,  enjoyed its beauty in many of their residences.

In an attempt to imitate the beauty of Chinese lacquer, the art of japanning was later introduced. This multi-step process is time intensive but will give any item a distinctive style as you can see by the vine design japanned onto our limited edition Ascot tallboy.

You can employ this trend in large doses as the famed Elsie de Wolfe did in the 1920's in her own residence:

or you can add this historic look through the use of well-curated decorative accesssories such as vases, mirrors and lamps.

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

Designers, please stop by our showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, Ca  90016

Tel: 323 939 5929

How to spend a sunny weekend in southern California

 

While the rest of the country is battling one of the worst winters on record we continue to bask in unseasonably warm temperatures and sunshine here in southern California. Fortunately for us there is always something to do, both indoors and outdoors.  So grab your sunscreen and head out to one or more of these events:

• The Annenberg Space Center is hosting a very interesting photograpy exhibit that will delight and inspire anyone interested in architecture.  Who knew that expected climate changes are altering the way buildings are designed?
• The hills surrounding Los Angeles offer up some pretty amazing hiking trails that end with some impressive vistas.  A comfortable pair of shoes and a backpack filled with plenty of water is all you need to enjoy a day away from the crowds and noise of the city.

• 

• If you enjoy nature but don't feel up to a hike, a visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is in order.  They are featuring a visiting exhibit of nature inspired artwork by some of American's finest 19th century artists.
• This is certainly beach weather and we have hundreds of miles of beaches from San Diego, through Los Angeles and on up the coast.  Malibu, Santa Monica, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and La Jolla are just a few that come to mind.  Find your perfect beach here. 
• Take a drive to the desert in search of blooming wildflowers or venture down to Carlsbad to tour the flower fields.  Worth the trip!

How do you spend your free time enjoying the southern California weather?

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

Designers, please stop by our showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90016

A look back at past giveaways at the HD Expo

We recently announced that the first ten visitors to our booth in the Exhibitor's Hall at the 2015 HD Expo will receive one of our exquisitely detailed silver plated orchid drawer pulls to use as they please.

We have made it a tradition to award a piece of our custom hardware each year we attend the HD Expo.  We thought it might be fun to revisit past giveaways:

In 2014 we awarded twenty lucky visitors to our booth their choice of either the whimsical dragonfly pull or our small scarab beetle pull.

Small scarab pull from Martin Pierce Hardware Los Angeles CA 90016

The spring of 2013 found us delighting ten lucky winners with our beautifully detailed butterfly pull.

Our new at the time bronze daisy pull was chosen as the giveaway for the 2012 HD Expo.

And it all started with the fun polished brass frog pull we awarded to the first ten visitors to our booth during our inaugural visit to the 2011 HD Expo.

Were you one of the lucky winners?

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

Designers, please stop by our showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd Los Angeles CA 90016

Tel: 323 939 5929

Light up the room with our new bronze candlesticks

Over the years we have shared with our clients and those who enjoy our blog just how much Martin is inspired by nature and where he goes to find that inspiration.  This may include hiking trips to local canyons or exotic spots such as our recent trip to Spain or a visit to more  formal gardens such as those at the Huntington Library in San Marino or the Botanic Gardens in Santa Barbara.  We are always equipped with our camera to snap photos of birds and other creatures and their habitats as well as beautiful flowers and foliage.  These visits and corresponding photographs serve as inspiration for future hardware and art projects.  For example, this photo of a budding succulent taken on a day trip to the Huntington Library (and hangs on the wall in our home)

served as inspiration for Martin's latest project--a pair of beautiful candlesticks.

Delicate in appearance only, these candlesticks are cast in solid bronze and measure 14" high and 6" wide at the base. They accommodate a "chime" or processional candle with a .5" diameter.  This unusual size can be purchased from specialty shops like General Wax in North Hollywood, California. The candlestick shows the succulent just before it flowers with the flower stem serving as the "stem" of the sculpture.  The concept was largely based on a succulent similar to those in the Echeveria family of succulents, specifically the 'Black Prince'.   You can read more about this plant here.

This candlestick was originally designed for our home and we then gifted a pair to our close friends on their wedding day.  We are hoping to use the design to create a larger candle arrangement that will feature a larger central succulent surrounded by small buds and the center piece would use a more standard sized candle.   Here are a couple more looks at this exquisite candlestick.

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

Designers, please visit our showroom located at :

5433 W. Washington Blvd Los Angeles CA 90016

Tel: 323 939 5929

Martin Pierce on TODL.com

 

Hospitality and residential designers, along with architects, landscape designers and others involved in the interior design industry are familiar with TODL.com (Trade Only Design Library).  This site is designed exclusively for design professionals and provides the opportunity to research thousands of products from the comfort of the home or office.

We are pleased to participate as a supplier of bespoke architectural hardware products for all todl.com members.  Our page features over 200 of our custom hardware products that represent many of our unique collections.  Included is dimension and price information. We are excited to see that our lizard entryway pull was recently featured on the todl.com  weekly online residential page.

Please contact us if you are interested in the Lizard collection or any of our other custom hardware collections.  They can be viewed on our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Designers, please visit our showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd Los Angeles CA 90016

Tel: 323 939 5929

Update on our booth at the 2015 HD Expo

The countdown begins for our 4th annual trip to Las Vegas to exhibit at the 2015 HD Expo.  We always enjoy this show and look forward to reconnecting with many of you. As we have done in the past, we are pleased to be awarding the first ten visitors to our booth a piece of custom hardware.  This year the lucky recipients will receive one of our exquisite orchid knobs so be sure and stop by early!

We will be debuting several new items.   We are excited to share our first venture into lighting with two new wall sconces; our dragon egg wall sconce and a new floral sconce. They will be cast in both bronze and steel and we are planning to use LED lights in both fixtures.  We will also be showing  a 32” cylindrical handle which will be lit with an LED light, also shown in bronze as well as steel.

As the countdown continues we will be sharing more exciting products, along with our location in the Exhibitor's Hall.

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

Designers, please stop by our showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90016

Telephone: 323 939 5929

Inspiration from the Chelsea Garden Show

For one week every May the RHS Chelsea Garden Show is the place to see and be seen for garden enthusiasts.  This year the event is scheduled for May 19-23 2015.  While no longer the largest garden show in the UK, it is considered by some to still be the most prestigious.

If you follow this blog then you are already aware of the inspiration Martin finds in flowers and other foliage for his custom hardware designs.  In fact, the hardware piece that started it all, our Hedgerow collection, was fashioned after the trees and shrubs that reminded Martin of his childhood in England.

Do you see any similarities between our hardware and the "real" thing?

Daisy pull from Flora collection

Sycamore leaf pull from Flora collection of architectural hardware by Martin Pierce Hardware.

What garden shows will you be attending this year?

To view our entire collection of custom hardware please visit our site at www.martin pierce.com.

Designers please stop by our showroom at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90016

Telephone: 323 939 5929