Happy Memorial Day from Martin Pierce Hardware

 

Memorial Day signals the unofficial start of the summer season.  Weather permitting, many people will enjoy an extra day off from work and school to participate in summer activities like picnicking, barbecuing, sailing, evening walks and longer days to enjoy this relaxing time of year.  But let us not forget the real reason for the holiday and that is the remembrance of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country, protecting the freedoms we all enjoy.

Happy Memorial Day from Martin Pierce where you can view our entire collection of custom hardware at www.martinpierce.com.

What is all the custom hardware buzz about?

We recently received this letter from the Greenfield Second Church in Greenfiled, MA regarding their annual Beefest:

Hello Martin Pierce Staff:  Your nature-themed products are stunning. I am boldly writing to inquire about a donation of bee or butterfly item for our Community Bee Fest raffle to be held June 7, 2014.

WHY would you want to do this? We are losing millions of bees each year to colony collapse disorder which greatly impacts the farmers’ ability to grow fruits and vegetables. Our community Bee Fest, now it its 4th year, is an attempt at public education with a real purpose. Rev. Lorenzo L. Langstroth was pastor of our church in Greenfield, MA, in the 1840’s. He created the “Langstroth moveable frame beehive” still used by 80% beekeepers in the world. We honor his contributions by holding an annual “Bee Fest” with bee education, children’s crafts and a Pollinator Parade and by lifting up the serious challenges bees are facing worldwide. Bee researchers from the University of Massachusetts will give short talks on their research for adults which includes both interested local residents and New England beekeepers.

To give back to our community, our church is organizing 5 raffle baskets of donated bee-themed products. Proceeds from the raffle, after expenses, benefit SNAP (food stamps) and Heifer Prject Int’l (to purchase honeybees for families in 3rd world countries).

If you are willing to donate either a dummy bumblebee door knob or butterfly pull, we would be so grateful. If you are interested, please add product brochures for guests to order directly from you-I am sure they would be as delighted as I am to find your company!  This event is growing in scope and numbers and we expect about 450-500 attendees this year. www.greenfieldsecondchurch.com]

We appreciate your kind consideration.

This interesting fundraiser is dedicated to something near and dear to Martin's heart----the humble Bee.  We also liked the fact that some of the raffle proceeds go to the Heifer Project International to help purchase honeybees in 3rd world countries; and more generally that this Bee Fest helps raise awareness about the challenges bees are facing.

Bees have always been important in Martin’s art work as seen in his first bee sculpture of a bee landing on an orchid.

We are both fans of bees, even after being stung.   Iris, however, who was recently stung, does not share our viewpoint but, then again, name me a pitbull that does!  One of our favorite bees is the black carpenter bee which we first encountered back in 1978 when we were on a camping vacation in Santorini Greece. It is this bee that was the inspiration for the bumble bee handle from our Netzuke collection that we donated.

Carpenter bees are large bees that are distributed worldwide. There are some 500 species of carpenter bee in 31 subgenera.  Their name comes from the fact that nearly all species build their nests in burrows in dead wood, bamboo, or structural timbers. Wikipedia

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

Having fun at the 2014 HD Expo

The 2014 HD Expo is in full swing and there is so much color, so many lights and hundreds and hundreds of friendly people.  Our new products have been well-received and all of our giveaway bronze drawer pulls were quickly snatched up by the first twenty visitors to our booth. Here is just a sampling of some of the creativity that surrounds us in the Exhibit hall.

I am sure booth #1435 got several responses to this ad!  And to delight the child in all of us, there is a Lego table set up that appears to be getting a lot of attention.

And at the end of the day this is the view we see of the Las Vegas strip as we fall, exhausted, into bed.

To view our entire collection of custom architectural hardware, including the items you have seen at the HD Expo, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

2014 HD Expo here we come!

We have arrived in sunny, and HOT, Las Vegas Nevada and are busy setting up the booth for the 2014 HD Expo scheduled to open Wednesday, May 14th.  We mentioned in a previous post how involved it is to ready oneself for a stay in the exhibitor hall of a convention like this.  And while all of the "details" have been taken care of we are in the throes of physical labor setting up the booth and fighting the small fires that go along with a project of this magnitude.

Progress continues....the banner is up and is a fine representation of our new Morphic entry lever with a powder coated and colored accent that we will be debuting at the show.

Please be sure to stop by and visit us in booth #4659, and be sure to come by early as the first twenty visitors to our booth will receive one of our scarab beetle or dragonfly drawer pulls.

And to view our entire collection of custom architectural hardware, visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Hospitality designers create beautiful boutique hotel in Sweden

We have shared with you how much we enjoy our client who resides in Scandinavia; Norway to be specific.  So it is no wonder that we were fascinated with this new boutique hotel that just opened in neighboring Stockholm, Sweden. Boutique hotels are often smaller in scale than the large chain hotels and offer beautiful and inspiring interiors with unique and modern amenities including beautiful artwork, on-trend color schemes and custom hardware.  The Nobis Hotel is a beautiful example of an inviting boutique hotel and, in our opinion, is set in one of the world's most beautiful cities.

Through the process of combining two neighboring townhouses, the design firm of Claesson Koivisto Rune created a modern dream that brilliantly celebrates the beauty of the original 19th century architecture while offering contemporary interiors that cater to the needs of its sophisticated clientele.  Upon closer inspection you will spot design details that include contemporary furnishings with fine Egyptian linens, soothing colors and all the necessary electronic set-ups the modern traveler requires.

We are proud to have provided other luxurious boutique hotels with custom hardware that celebrates the hotel's location, design scheme or a client's individual brand. Some of our favorites include the orchid pulls and bespoke stylized Hawaiian bird hardware or the custom hardware for the W Hotel in Sensota Cove, Singapore.

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

Final countdown to 2014 HD Expo

This year has flown by and we now find ourselves just one week away from the 2014 HD Expo at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the past several months we have shared with you new ideas we hope to debut at the Expo like our colorful new powder coated Morphic cylindrical pull; as well as some of your favorites from our custom hardware collections that we will bring along.  And, to top it all off, we are offering a wonderful giveaway to the first twenty visitors to our booth #4659----one of our beautifully detailed dragonfly or scarab beetle drawer pulls.

A visit to our booth will make it possible for you to see in person all of the hardware pieces you have viewed online.  There is no better way to experience the exquisite carving, realistic detailing and the hefty weight of metal than in person. Please stop by our booth to view our hardware and to say hello;  and make sure to come by early to pick up one of our giveaway bronze pulls.

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

Colorful powder coated hardware

We discussed our efforts to produce a durable and colorful new addition to our Morphic collection in a previous post through the use of powder coatings.  We are now pleased to share with you the newest offering in custom hardware from Martin Pierce:

In response to designers requests for a bolder statement in architectural hardware, we have designed this version of our Morphic pull with an impressive 32" height and an easy to grasp 2" diameter; the 316 stainless steel offers a rust resistant and durable finish.  This pull can now be further customized with a powder coated accent  in your choice of color. We are showing it in hot orange but we are able to work with designers to use a custom color or, for the hospitality market, perhaps a color associated with a client's specific brand to further enhance their corporate image.

This new piece, along with many of our customers favorites (and maybe a surprise or two) can be seen in our booth #4659 at the 2014 HD Expo in Las Vegas Nevada beginning May 14th and running through May 16th at the Mandalay Bay Hotel.  We look forward to seeing you there and hearing your comments on this new and colorful powder coated door pull.

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

HD Expo 2014 is just around the corner

In just three short weeks we will be on our way to sunny and warm Las Vegas, Nevada to exhibit at the 2014 HD Expo.  We can be found in booth #4659 and are anxious to share many new products with you as well as some of our most popular architectural hardware collections. We are offering a giveaway to the first 20 visitors to our booth.  Those early visitors will receive either a bronze scarab drawer pull full of exotic mystery or a whimsical yet realistically detailed bronze dragonfly drawer pull.  Either one of these items will add a custom touch to a cabinet door or desk drawer or can just sit on your desk to be admired.

We look forward to your visit to booth #4659 and to hear your thoughts on our custom hardware products.

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

5 things the "ordinary" person can do to honor Earth Day 2014

Earth Day 2014 is/was April 22, 2014.  On this day individuals, businesses and communities from around the country are given a reminder to take a look at their personal and business practices to see how they measure up when it comes to environmental issues.

While there are many rules and regulations handed down to manufacturers, builders and other businesses to adhere to, the ordinary person can also make a contribution to the environmental movement; thereby making this world a better place to live for current and, maybe more importantly, future generations.

1. Perhaps the easiest way to live a green life is buy locally--locally grown, locally manufactured and locally created.  This not only reduces transportation costs and energy usage, it benefits the local economy by keeping your dollars in your own neighborhood and keeps your neighbors employed.
2. Even easier than buying locally is to monitor your thermostat.  Turn the heat down during the colder months and place an extra blanket on the beds; and turn the heat up during the warmer months.  Experts recommend a comfortable 68 degrees during the daylight hours in winter  (and a good ten degrees lower when you go to bed) and 78 degrees when you are home in the summer and completely off when you leave the house.
3. These days water conservation concerns are at an all time high.  Many states, including California, are suffering from drought conditions that have been present for years. There is no better time to replace water wasting fixtures like toilets, faucets, shower heads and appliances, with energy efficient products.  This might even result in some tax savings next year so check your individual state and local regulations and requirements.
4. Properly dispose of electronic and toxic waste.  Many communities and businesses offer electronic waste "fairs" that make it possible for you to drop off old computers, televisions, cell phones, printers and other electronic equipment as well as empty paint and varnish cans, and other toxic materials that could harm the environment if placed in the landfills.
5. We have all seen the commercials wrapping the earth in disposable water bottles. Reusable water bottles and shopping bags will reduce this waste by the ton.

Other ways to live an eco-friendly life:

• Recycle as much as possible
• Repurpose or reclaim old wood and metal into other usable items
• Use natural fibers in upholstery and rugs such as hemp, wool, cotton.
• Use natural latex and/or recycled foam in upholstered items
• Choose low VOC paints and stains

And, best of all, plant a tree!

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

Great news for hospitality designers attending HD Expo 2014

As with all of the exhibitors, we are very busy preparing for and excited about attending the HD Expo in Las Vegas again this year and sharing many of our favorite products, as well as debuting several new items.

We hope to share with you the prototype for our new LED lit entryway lever that we feel could be one of the most exciting innovations in hospitality design.  This hardware is not only beautiful but provides safety and function for all of your hotel, retirement home, spa and boutique hotel clients.

We will also be debuting our new powder coated line from our Morphic custom hardware series.  This new addition will allow you to further customize your client's spaces with a color that is either part of the overall design plan or represents and highlights their specific brand.

And, while we have been sharing the fact that we will be giving away ten of our dragonfly or scarab beetle drawer pulls, we have decided to double that and give away 20 of these unique pieces of hardware to the first twenty visitors to our booth #4659.  So be sure and stop by early, see our products, say hello and collect your custom bronze drawer pull.

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

Martin Pierce invites you to join us at the HD Expo 2014

Our invitation that recently appeared in the HD Expo newsletter:

Martin Pierce would like to invite you to come join us at HD Expo 2014.

Click here to register for free.

COME SEE OUR NEW DOOR HANDLES BOOTH 4659

This year we will be introducing our latest Morphic door handles in 316 stainless steel and bronze and will be offering you the choice of custom powder coated colors. We will also be debuting our first prototype LED handle, geared to those in the luxury hospitality market, we expect this illuminated design will become a signature statement. As a company we offer a full range of door hardware that includes trim for electronic key cards, bathroom and cabinet accessories and styles suited to all genre of boutique hotels be they contemporary, classical or transitional.

Booth: 4659 Contact: Anne Pierce, CEO Email: anne@martinpierce.com Phone: (323) 939-5929 Website: http://www.martinpierce.com

The first 20 visitors to our booth will receive a bronze cabinet pull!

Add color to your hardware with a powder coated finish

 

We will be debuting several new pieces at the upcoming 2014 HD Expo and one that we are particularly excited about is the new powder coated interior of our Morphic cylindrical pull. We have chosen the vibrant hot orange color shown above from Prismatic Powders but, as with all of our architectural hardware products, your choice of color can be customized to meet your needs.

Powder coating is an extremely durable way of adding an accent color to hardware, specifically the pieces in our Morphic series where the colored, powder coated finish will be visible through the openings in the design.

As its name suggest, powder coating is achieved by shooting powder onto a metal surface that has been specially prepared to receive the powder.   The process involves masking off the areas you want to be free of color and then baking on the applied color at a fairly high temperature.  This is a common finish for patio furniture as well as for hot rod motorbikes. The biggest design advantage is that it allows you to add your brand stamp to our products i.e. a commercial setting that has a brand color, thereby reinforcing the client's brand.

As a company we offer a full range of architectural door hardware that includes trim for electronic key cards, bathroom and cabinet accessories and styles suited to all genre of  boutique hotels be they contemporary, classic or transitional.  To see our new powder coated hardware as well as a sampling of our custom hardware, stop by our booth #4659 at the HD Expo or visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

2014 HD Expo Countdown and a great giveaway

Well it is hard to believe that the first quarter of 2014 has come and gone and here we are in April.  Not sure about where you live, but in Los Angeles the sky is blue and the winds are brisk, typical spring weather, and the Jacaranda trees and desert flowers are in bloom. We are busy preparing ourselves and our products for the trip to Las Vegas to join designers, architects and hundreds of exhibitors at the 2014 HD Expo, held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Convention Center.  We will be occupying booth #4659 this year and are excited to share not only some of our more popular items but we will also be debuting some new pieces of architectural hardware that we know you will enjoy.

On top of all that, the first ten visitors to our booth will receive one of our scarab or dragonfly drawer pulls to use in their own home or office.  These little functional pieces of art feature exquisite detailing that makes them a joy to look at and handle.

Some believe that the scarab beetle represents the rising sun and is a symbol of development and growth but we see it as a unique drawer pull that will add interest to your custom hospitality design projects.

Martin Pierce will be on hand to discuss your individual projects so we look forward to speaking with each of you.

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

10 tips to help you organize your trade show booth--Part 2

 

In our previous post we discussed all that is involved in being an exhibitor at a large trade show such as the 2014 HD Expo.  We have developed this checklist that may help you organize the process and actually enjoy yourselves:

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.

We would love to hear your input on how you handle your booth as an exhibitor or what you as a participant look for from exhibitors.  And to view our entire collection of custom hardware, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com  See you in booth #4659.

Oh the joys of organizing oneself for a trade show--Part 1

When you attend a tradeshow such as the HD Expo there is always an Exhibit Hall chock full of pretty booths that proudly display the wares of the exhibitors.  The room is full of light and energy and is an exciting place to be.  But for most exhibitors, such as ourselves, there is a tremendous amount of work that goes into organizing and setting up the booth before the convention participants enter. Fortunately for us, the HD Expo is "local" (Las Vegas), allowing us to rent a van and make the relatively short 5 hour trip with our display in tow.  As we are a small custom hardware company with a somewhat high end niche product we are very “hands on” in the design, set up and time spent in the booth during the Expo.  Larger companies will often invest considerable sums of money to create very slick and elaborate booths.  By comparison, our focus is on showing key pieces and debuting new pieces; and while our booth is certainly pleasing, the emphasis is squarely on the product.

Martin Pierce is on hand, making it possible for hospitality designers and architects to meet him and personally discuss their projects to find out the feasibility of customizing our designs to meet their needs.  So you will meet both Martin and Anne Pierce in booth #4659 this year (as in prior years).

As I mentioned earlier, a tremendous amount of work and stress is involved in creating a pleasing booth.  Choosing the right combination of both signature and new pieces to squeeze into a 20'x10' booth is challenging.  It is for this reason that we attend just one show a year; so we search for a show that focuses heavily on the professional design community who are, after all, our patrons and those who specify our work to their clients.

We like to debut new pieces at the show but there is a process in deciding what pieces are ready for their debut.  There are several stages involved in launching a new piece including several prototypes necessary to get it "just right".   Add to this the marketing of the new pieces which begins with professional photographs, a digital CD (handed out at the show) along with a newly designed CD cover. And, of course, the website must be updated with these new products before the show.  Finally, we will prepare a press release that will get digitally distributed through the shows website.

Whew...I am tired just writing it all down.  In our  next post we will share a checklist that keeps us organized before, during and after the show.

If you would like to view our collection of custom architectural hardware, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.  And be sure and stop by our booth #4659 at the 2014 HD Expo next month.

1. 

Interior design trend alert--Paisley

 

Paisley is making a big comeback in both the fashion and interior design world.  This ancient design is fondly remembered by many of us as the favored fabric of the bohemian world during the turbulent sixties and seventies.  At that time it was used for both clothing and textiles for home decor and provided a way to rebel against traditional designs like damask and other popular patterns favored by the "establishment".  Apparently unbeknownst to the rebellious youth, this teardrop shaped design had been around for centuries.

Originating in Iran in early 200AD, it was known as the Boteh Jegheh.  The stylized floral design is believed by historians to be a combination of tree and floral symbols that represent life and eternity. Interestingly, the western world favors the term paisley, which comes from the Scottish town of the same name that produced the woven textiles once they were introduced to the British Isles by travelers and sailors.

This versatile pattern mixes well with both contemporary and traditional styles. Therefore, both residential and hospitality designers are utilizing this exotic symbol in many ways.  Paisley patterned fabrics are available in all colorways and weaves and will add a sophisticated look to window treatments, upholstery, wall coverings and room accents. Oriental and Persian carpets, antique and new, often utilize this symbol in either an overall design or in the border.

Stylized floral patterns, like paisley, have played a large role in many of our architectural hardware designs.  For example, our popular Hedgerow collection is Martin's interpretation of the hedges and bushes that were so familiar to him as a child growing up in England.

Have you used the paisley pattern in any of your recent projects?

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

HD Expo countdown continues

We hope you enjoyed (and survived) the St. Patrick's Day festivities in your area but all good things must end and it is back to work for us. Along with the custom items for our hospitality designers and architects that we are working on we are busy preparing for the trip to Las Vegas and the 2014 HDExpo.  It takes a lot of work to create an inspiring booth that allows visitors to view our products up close and personal. We will be sharing many pieces from various collections as well as debuting some new items that we are very excited about.

A visit to our booth #4659 in the exhibitor hall not only provides you with an opportunity to view our custom architectural hardware collection, the first ten visitors will receive a custom drawer pull for their very own!  One of our scarab beetle or dragonfly pulls will be awarded to those first ten visitors so make sure to stop by, say hello and receive your gift; we look forward to meeting you.

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

Taking a break at Martin Pierce Hardware

Although we are very busy working on current projects,  it is not all work and no play at Martin Pierce Custom Hardware, as you can see by this video of our beloved dog Iris enjoying a bit of tug-of-war with her buddy Hoyt. https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxebO8_3kZlgaWh1ekVDeFBESjBaaXdCUTJpOGpQelV0c3pv/edit

Hoyt, a corgi, lives in the building next to ours and has become a favored playmate of Iris'.  If I cannot take a break from work and get out of the office/studio myself, the next best thing is watching these two enjoy the simple things in life--friendship and fun.

Do you have fun-loving pets in your home or office?  We would love to see your videos.

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

2014 HD Expo Update

While we are very busy working on some new projects that we cannot wait to share with you,  we are also very busy pulling things together for our booth at the 2014 HD Expo that is just 60 days away!

We are anticipating a wonderful experience at the Expo.  The venue is always great (Mandalay Bay Hotel & Convention Center) and as we have said, we are looking forward to meeting up with old friends from past Expos as well as make many new friends.

When you stop by our booth #4659 you will be able to see firsthand many items from our custom architectural hardware collections and new items that we are very excited to share with you.  For example, if we can get through the bureaucracy involved, we hope to debut an LED lit door handle from our Morphic collection that will serve many of your clients in the hospitality and commercial industry.  And, the first ten visitors to our booth will receive one of our custom drawer pulls.  In the past we have given away frogs, butterflies and daisies and we continue the tradition this year with one of our dragonfly or scarab beetle pulls.  These little works of art will add a touch of springtime to your desk or cabinet.  See you there!

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

Day trips from Los Angeles--The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens

Like many people who live in a large city, we often feel the need and desire to get away from it all and take a day trip to someplace peaceful and quiet.  One of our favorite destinations in the Los Angeles area is the Huntington Library in  San Marino.  With an amazing art collection and several breathtakingly beautiful gardens, there is always something to see or be inspired by on every visit.  We often make this quick 30 minute drive to seek inspiration and just enjoy the beautiful surroundings. As the seasons morph from winter into spring there is abundant new life in the gardens. Spring is the perfect time to visit and see the recent changes made to the lovely and tranquil Chinese Garden.  Two new pavilions will be host to visiting musicians for afternoon concerts and there is a new rock grotto with an amazing path that takes you underneath and behind a waterfall!

Whether you are seeking some design inspiration for an upcoming project or your own garden, or simply looking for an afternoon that does not involve crowded shopping malls and fast food restaurants, the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens is sure to delight. Enjoy some of our own photos taken on a recent visit.

Butterflies and birds are always a welcome sight in the gardens.

These tree roots remind us of the design of our Hedgerow Collection of architectural hardware.

To view the items in our Hedgerow collection or our entire selection of custom hardware, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.