Summer getaway recap--Part 3

We wanted to give you one last opportunity to take a look at all that Santa Barbara County and the Simpson House Inn have to offer so you can plan your own trip. As we mentioned in Part I and 2 of our vacation recap, the Simpson House Inn is a great choice for a weekend getaway, especially when you live in nearby busy and noisy Hollywood as we do.  We enjoyed relaxing and enjoying the beautiful gardens but we were also able to get out and hike the many trails that are nearby and even enjoyed a solitary day on Carpinteria State Beach.

We also found time to visit a spot we often come to when we are in Santa Barbara, the Botanic Gardens.  The historic man made dam which is the life spring of these gardens was created back in 1807 to supply the local mission with water.  It remains as part of the gardens, which were developed in the 1930's.

We have visited these gardens twice before over the last 15 years but have never seen them as dry as we did on this visit due to the drought in California.  However, the one watering hole we did find was home to a turtle who obligingly posed for a portrait shot.

Alas, as you can see in the photo below, water was not present in the creek and this poor tree was left suffering from soil erosion and exposed roots.

However, there is still plenty of plant and wildlife to enjoy as this little sparrow proves; offering Martin plenty of enjoyment as well as design inspiration.

We were also able to take a longish hike along the Cold Springs Trail that takes one high into the local Santa Ynez Mountains.  We had escaped the heat of LA and exchanged it for the cooler climate of Santa Barabara.  But even this terrain is showing the effects of the drought as we found boulders and exposed tree roots in areas where the creeks should be flowing.

The trail was almost empty on the eastern ascent and we saw few hikers.  Predictably , after our 90 minute hike we returned to Simpson House Inn for their cold lemonade.  The perfect finish to a perfect day!

To view our entire collection of architectural hardware, many pieces inspired by trips like this, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

An opportunity to find some design inspiration right here in southern California-Part 2

During our recent stay at the Simpson House Inn we were able to take advantage of all the opportunities to view and enjoy the natural areas that surround Santa Barbara in the form of hiking trails, state beaches and botanical gardens. Our fascination and interest in birds was certainly satisfied on our daily nature trips.  One such outing found us on the nearby Carpinteria State Beach.  We actually had the place all to ourselves for most of our visit.  With the exception of one lone human being,

the only other living creatures we saw were those with wings, pincers or fins.  For example, the ever-present seagull.  Have you ever noticed how they always seem to strike a pose?

Curlews flying in formation near the ocean's surface--no doubt hunting for a tasty morsel

and the prehistoric looking and always fascinating to watch Brown Pelican

This part of the California coast features outcroppings of rocks that are home to many species including this little crab Martin found in one of the rock mounds.

We certainly came back with plenty of design inspiration as well as an appreciation of this beautiful country and state we live in.

To view our entire collection of architectural hardware that includes birds, lizards and other creatures from nature, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.  We can also design a bespoke piece that will personalize and customize your next project.

Recap of our summer getaway--Part 1

While the details of our stay at the lovely Simpson House Inn are still fresh in my mind I wanted to share them with you. As we mentioned in an earlier post, we decided to treat ourselves to a short getaway in Santa Barbara.  The days were heating up in Los Angeles and a trip up the coast would allow us to escape not only our current workload but the heat that sometimes strikes southern California.  We were not to be disappointed!

Simpson House Inn dates back to 1874 and went through many years of decline before being totally and lovingly restored to its original glory by Glyn and Linda Davies.  It opened its doors as a refined B&B in 1985 and can boast being the winner of the prestigious City of Santa Barbara Structure of Merit award.  The low key charm of the staff make you feel like you are spending the weekend as very welcome guests in a dear friend's home.  We began each day with a breakfast of roast potatoes and scrambled eggs with asparagus served on dainty Victorian China.

We enjoyed this breakfast on the veranda every morning and were entertained by the California towhee birds bathing in the garden's water fountain turned birdbath.  The gardens have received the same level of restoration attention as the house and other structures on the property.

After this hearty breakfast we set out for a daily hike on one of the nearby nature trails, only to return to homemade lemonade and freshly baked cookies each afternoon.

We certainly learned that there is no need to travel far and fight the crowds in order to get away from your daily routine and relax.  Communities across the country offer opportunities for those who live nearby to enjoy a day or two away from the daily "grind".

You can view our entire collection of custom hardware, often inspired by nature, by visiting our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Summer travel

Summer is about many things, including the enjoyment of a slower pace and an occasional overnight trip.  We have decided to take advantage of both and head just 90 minutes north of Hollywood to what is often called the American Riviera, Santa Barbara. We have decided to treat ourselves with a three night stay at the Simpson House Inn. With unique accommodations and lovely gardens, we should be able to unwind just a bit.  And Santa Barbara has so much to offer in the way of hiking trails, ocean vistas and historical buildings that are sure to provide us with plenty of inspiration for future hardware and art projects.

Speaking of inspiration, Iris will not be joining us on this trip but Martin is "thinking" about sculpting a bust of her to display in our home.  Before Iris joined our family I would never have believed that I would want a pit bull head sculpture adorning our dining room!

As we prepare for our miniature vacation we hope that you are finding the time to unplug for even a short while and enjoy the lazy days of summer, as the fall and winter will be upon us before we know it.

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

ADA compliance refresher

 

"Bush signs in ADA of 1990" by Unknown - http://www.whitehousehistory.org/whha_pictures/presidentshouse_bush-06.html. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bush_signs_in_ADA_of_1990.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Bush_signs_in_ADA_of_1990.jpg

A responsible architect, designer or homeowner is already aware of the importance of designing a space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but is also safe and easily accessible for all who enter.

The President of the United States signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) back in 1990 ( updated in 2010) that, in part,  set standards for accessible design that must be adhered to in government and other public and commercial buildings. However, many designers and architects are designing private buildings and homes with these standards in mind in order to accommodate an aging or disabled population.

Along with very specific requirements for specifics like elevators, moving stairways, automatic doors, required space between beds and dining tables in detention facilities, school and restaurants, placement of ramps, etc., many elements of accessible or universal design can also be applied to private spaces and include:

• No threshold doorways that allow wheelchair access as well as eliminate the need to step-up to enter a room or building.
• Wider doorways and hallways that make it possible to move from room to room and turn around with a walker or wheelchair.
• Rocker light switches that are easier to operate than a standard switch.
• Lever hardware that eliminates the need to grasp and turn a knob to open a door or window.
• Roll-in showers and tubs that also provide a seating area.
• Slip resistant flooring and/or carpet pile and pad that allows for easy maneuverability of a wheelchair.
• Grab bars in appropriate areas, particularly in the shower/tub and water closet.

This is a very abbreviated list of regulations and ideas.  You can view the entire list of ADA Regulations by visiting the government site here.  While compliance is a must in public and government buildings, any of these features can be customized to meet the needs of a client in a private residence, thereby making their life a bit easier and safer.

Many of our custom hardware pieces comply with ADA requirements.  To view these, or to view our entire collection of architectural hardware, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Flowers are in bloom at Martin Pierce Hardware

There is no better time than during the warm months of summer to take the time to stop and smell the roses.  In other words, enjoy the beautiful flowers that are blooming all around you.  It is easy to spot them----well tended gardens in your neighborhoods, over-stuffed window boxes of local businesses or those blooms that grow wildly in the nearby fields.

We have always enjoyed and appreciated the beauty of different flowers.  So much so that Martin has created many different "varieties" of architectural hardware in floral motifs that are so lifelike you will be tempted to bend down and do a sniff test.  Sadly, there is no fragrance but you can enjoy the beauty of these flowers all year round, nevertheless.

Daisies are such a lovely little flower that conjures up feelings of carefree days spent at the park.  Our bronze daisy drawer pull will add just the right amount of femininity to a hip clothing boutique, day spa or a sunroom or conservatory in a beautiful home.

Few flowers are as elegant or as sophisticated as an orchid.  Enjoy the beauty of these flowers without all the worry and effort that goes into the care of these delicate blooms with the addition of our silver plated orchid and orchid stem drawer pull.

Don't let summer end without taking the time to notice the flowers in your area.  Visit a local botanical garden, stroll through your downtown area or just take a walk through your own neighborhood and see how many varieties of flowering plants you can identify.

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

Your hospitality design project will come to life with custom hardware

Custom door and drawer hardware will enhance any design style whether it be sleek and contemporary, warmly traditional or interestingly eclectic.  For designers who work on hospitality or commercial projects or a homeowner looking to add a personal touch to their home, paying attention to details like hardware will turn an ordinary project into an extraordinary project. Contemporary hardware

Contemporary styling is right at home in a sleek high-rise apartment building, upscale boutique or a modern home perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean.  Look for hardware crafted from metals like stainless steel, brass or high polished bronze.  Organic shapes will add movement and interest to all the smooth surfaces commonly found in a contemporary environment as will a pop of bright color or interesting lighting accents like those seen on our new cylindrical entryway levers that we debuted at the 2014 HD Expo.

Whimsical designs are also a nice choice for contemporary spaces and add a bit of personality.  Our Animal  and Netzuke collection features many pieces in the form of nature's creatures that are so lifelike it will require close inspection to determine if they are real or not.

Traditional hardware

For those projects that require a more traditional look in hardware, an oil rubbed bronze and/or classic shapes and symbols always work.  Soothing floral shapes or the warmth and beauty of the patina of hand-rubbed bronze will support other traditional design elements such as beautiful moldings and impressive architectural details.

Celebrate nature

Architectural hardware that celebrates the shapes and forms of nature will enhance any design style and any corporate, hospitality or residential environment.  Leaves, florals, grapevines, birds and even lizards and geckos will bring a sense of the outdoors inside.

Bespoke hardware

Of course, the ultimate statement any organization, company or homeowner can make is a personal one.  This can be accomplished through the creation and installation of bespoke hardware designed to represent a corporate brand, a favorite piece of artwork or a native habitat as in the bird hardware we created for this Hawaiian project.

To discuss your custom hardware needs or to view our entire collection, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.

Birds in flight over Los Angeles

We are very fortunate to have a terrific view of Los Angeles bird life from our home in the Hollywood Hills.  While we do have an unsightly electrical pole at the end of the garden, its one redeeming factor is that it attracts hawks and owls.

Alas, I do not  have any photos  of the Great Horned Owl that visits as he tends to arrive at dusk or later in the evening in pursuit of dinner in the form of rats and other rodents. However, over this past July 4^th weekend Martin was able to photograph 2 hawks, one a juvenile male red tailed hawk and the other a Coppers hawk.  All these birds seem to be attracted by wildlife and we certainly do have a lot of young squirrels and rats that allow them to thrive well in our local habitat. As you may know, Martin is very fond of birds.  In our custom hardware collection we currently offer a swallow cabinet pull.

Martin is currently working on a set of handles inspired by the Steller's Jay.  We will provide more detailed photos of the first handles when they return from the foundry but, in the meantime, here is a little teaser.

To view our swallow pull or our entire collection of bespoke hardware, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.

Summer fun in our design showroom

The lazy days of summer are upon us but our boxer/pitbull mix Iris and her best friend Hoyt do not seem to be aware of the idea of relaxation.

They do enjoy a good game of tug of war that often results in a friendly stand-off.

Whether it be on asphalt or in the more rarefied confines of our new showroom they still find it fun to wrestle and play. Hoyt can sometimes be a bit loud and Iris is sometimes deafened when he barks in her ear but the relationship continues to blossom. We find them both a good distraction and a great source of humor and feel very lucky to share our studio with such pleasing canines.

They do make a work day go by faster with all of their antics.  And the wood floor of our new design center makes it easy for them to slide around.  Fortunately, most  designers who visit the center do not seem to mind having a few friendly dogs running around.

You may  recall that we opened this design center back in January of 2014.  It provides an opportunity for contract, hospitality and residential designers, as well as the general public, to see our products up close and personal.  As an ASID industry partner we welcome all members to our showroom so we look forward to hearing from you to set up an appointment.

If you are unable to pay us a visit in person, you can view our entire collection of bespoke architectural hardware at www.martinpierce.com.

Long may she wave....

As our nation celebrate's this Independence Day on July 4th we wish you and your family a day filled with parades, picnics, ballgames or simply a day to relax by the pool, lake, beach of in your own backyard.

Pictorial recap of the step by step process of creating custom hardware

This pictorial recap will complete our 6 part series on creating a piece of custom hardware designed to the client's exact specifications. It begins with an inspiration piece, in this case a metal foil collage the client owned:

A hand-drawn rendering is submitted for design approval:

Once approved, a hand-carved wooden mold is created:

Design details are worked out:

A silicon shell is created and wax is poured:

Assembly details are worked out.  This particular project required two of everything as the door handles were being placed on both the entry and the exit of glass doors:

The finishing process includes waxing and buffing to highlight specific details:

The finished product--double door handles with a glass door placed between them:

To inquire about purchasing one of these limited edition door handles or to view our entire collection of custom hardware, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

It's a bug's life at Martin Pierce Hardware

A while back we shared with you our quest to find inspiration for new projects we were working on.  You can review that post here.  Since that time we have welcomed some new family members to our home.  The purpose was to study their habits, their form and their nests but, truth be told, Martin is enjoying his new friends.

These are Hercules beetles that we have named Boris and Natasha as they joined our household when the Olympics were being hosted in Russia this winter.

Boris, the male is easy to recognize as he is the proud owner of a pair of horns of “Herculean” proportion, hence the name of the species.

Natasha is less flashy and a bit camera shy.  As there is no competition in the terrarium they have been forced to accept each other and occasionally we have witnessed something vaguely approaching amorous behavior.  Yes, we are definitely guilty as charged of imbuing these scarabs with human emotions.

What can we tell you about our 5 months with the couple?

• They like banana and mango and, most recently have developed a taste for peaches.
• They have very poor table manners.  Once they discover they like a particular fruit they quite literally immerse themselves in it and use their mouth parts, which look like hairy brushes, to suck up their food. They can remain immersed for hours.
• They are generally nocturnal and when we look at them in the daytime we spend quite a lot of time turning over mulch to find them.
• They need a very moist habitat so we spray water into the terrarium every couple of days.
• When they emerge from the soil they are dark but become lighter with exposure to UV light.
• Conversely, when they are sprayed with water they turn darker.
• As a result of all of the above we have a fair number of fruit flies that require we clean out their soil quite often.
• Last but not least, when you stroke Boris he hisses and Martin finds this “cute”.

You will recall that we gave away ten of our scarab beetle drawer pulls at the recent 2014 HD Expo.  Both Diana Kouzouian of Kouzouian's FCF. Inc., and Carlita Anderson of Josh Held Design walked away as the proud owner of their own beetle.

As a teaser I will let you know that Martin is currently working on a fantasy painting of beetles and I will share his progress as we go along.  So, how do you feel about these prehistoric creatures?

To view our entire collection of architectural hardware in beetle and other animal forms, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Part 6--a step by step process of creating custom door hardware

We are at the final stage and, as in any bespoke project,  it is always the details that matter the most. For this project we wanted the pieces to have an aged appearance while maintaining the fine details so we had to carefully decide what areas to darken and what areas to leave bright.  This was one of the most time consuming aspects of the process and one that could not be rushed.  We broke it down into three areas we had to deal with: the goblet; the figure and the shield.  To begin, we polished all three areas and then separately tackled each individual component:

• Goblet - We needed to make sure that the French scripts remained visible once the aging was done.  The script was recessed but we wanted the ribbon to be darker than the rest of the goblet.  To accomplish this we first masked off the banner from the rest of the goblet and applied the darkening agent. Then, to make the script re-appear,  we painstakingly went over each letter with a fine engraving dremel that buffed off the chemical to re-expose the bright polished bronze.
• Shield- We had almost the opposite challenge with the shield.  We wanted most of the shield to be bright but with dark lettering and filigree. We again masked off the shield and applied the darkening agent.  We applied it twice to achieve the color needed.  Once it was dry we carefully removed the color from the shield with a fine scotch brite buffing pad.
• Figure – We repeated the process used for the goblet by applying the darkening agent and then painstakingly removing the color with a fine engraving tool.
• Each handle was then oiled and finished with a hand-applied black wax.  This finishing part of the process took many hours but we feel the finished product was well worth it!

These handles are numbered and signed and part of a limited edition of 50. Each handle has 16lbs of bronze so now we understand the true meaning of investment casting! To view our entire collection of custom architectural hardware, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Welcome summer

Have you ever noticed that time seems to fly by so much faster as we get older?  At the beginning of the year I was working on new projects, preparing for the upcoming HD Expo that seemed a long way away (five months) and seeking inspiration for Martin's re-entry into artwork.  Now it is the first day of summer and I am already seeing ads for holiday ornaments and end of year travel bargains!

The first day of summer, or the summer solstice, simply put is when the sun is at its highest position in the sky.  This marks the beginning of the summer season in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of winter in the southern hemisphere.  It can fall anywhere between June 20-22 and, in 2014, arrives at exactly 6:51 a.m. EDT on June 21, 2014.

Warm weather, longer days and balmy evenings mean a more casual and relaxed way of life for a few months.  We will be enjoying the evening with friends from Sweden that will most likely include a margarita or two.  And, of course, Iris is always willing to enjoy a summer nap in the shade.

How will you enjoy the summer this year?

Part 5--a step by step process of creating custom door hardware

For those of you who have been following along with this process, you will remember that we had reached the shelling stage in part 4 where the waxes had been encased in silicon shell and were ready to move on to receive the molten bronze. The goblets were the first part of the handle to be cast and, thankfully, we only needed to make one pattern that, with just a few minor adjustments,  would work well for both the left and right facing figures.

We then moved onto the 2 figures.  Having made 2 molds, one for each figure, we made wax replicas which we proceeded to shell.  The biggest challenge with the figures was how to devise a way to mount them to the cast goblet.  As they were separate castings we decided to attach the figure by drilling through the goblet into the hand of the figure so that we could thread and weld a small bolt to hold the figure firmly in place.  As we discussed in part 3,  the back of the goblet was cast separately and the reason for doing so was so we would have good access to the figure from inside the goblet.

The castings were then prepared for assembly as pairs to be mounted back to back onto glass doors. The client wanted to use 2 pairs as he had double glass doors in his wine cellar.

For strength we decided on 2 mounting posts for each handle, one to support the top portion of the goblet with a post attached to the goblet and the other post attached to the figure at hip level.  If you look at the photograph of green wax figures you will see the mounting post.

Once cast the solid bronze posts are drilled and tapped and we create a 3/8” diameter bolt that is threaded at one end and blank at the other. As these were being mounted back to back, the threaded end was screwed securely into one post and the non- threaded end was passed through the door into the post of the other handle.  The figure was then held in place by drilling a hole through the wall of the post into the bolt and inserting a threaded Allen screw.

As you can see from the almost finished product, these doors are going to create a spectacular entrance to the client's personal wine cellar.

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

Beware---it is Friday the 13th.

There is no real rhyme or reason as to why Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day but the fear of the day is common enough to have earned its own phobia labeled as  friggatriskaidekaphobia.  For those who believe it is unlucky, they site the Bible and the last Supper as proof.  Others prefer to find the number 13 in things like the number of letters in the names of notorious criminals, the date well-known tragedies took place, etc. as legitimate proof of the unlucky status the number represents.

The simple truth is that this date is cyclical and occurs no more than three times a year. For example, it occurs just once in 2014 (today) and three times in 2015.  One way to know if the year has a Friday the 13th is to find the months that begin on a Sunday and there will be a Friday the 13th in that month.

Unlike other superstitions like walking under a ladder or having a black cat cross your path, you are unable to avoid the pitfalls, so to speak, of a Friday the 13th as it is going to happen no matter what.  Here are some fun facts that you might find interesting or spooky, depending on whether you suffer from friggatriskaidekaphobia or not.

• Our 32nd president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, is thought to have been superstitious as he made every attempt to avoid traveling on Friday the 13th, or any 13th day for that matter.
• It is no real secret that hotels and tall office buildings do not label the 13th floor with the number 13...they simply skip it and jump right to 14.  Do you think that those who have a phobia are aware that they are on the 13th floor anyway?  The number is also avoided in room numbers, meeting rooms etc.
•  Many airlines avoid a row 13 so if you are unsure, start counting when you board, especially if you are in row 14!  They also show a drop in ticket sales on any  13th day, but especially on Friday the 13th.
• In some cultures the number 13 is actually considered lucky, especially in ancient Egypt where it was associated with immortality.
• The french are so superstitious that in the early 20th century you were able to actually hire a fourteenth guest to come sit at your dinner party if you found yourself with only 13 friends.  Not a bad way to get a free meal.  Bon appetit!

Do you alter your behavior or travel plans on Friday the 13th?

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

Part 4--step by step process of creating custom door hardware

Let the fun begin! We are often asked why we don’t make our patterns using 3D printing.  The answer comes from Martin's personal history.

As many of you already know, Martin Pierce began his career as a wood carver in England where he was trained to become a master wood carver  who then branched out from relief carving into 3 dimensional sculpting.  As a young person Martin was first competent drawing objects free hand and from different angles.  Later, as an apprentice wood carver he was trained to carve quickly, decisively and accurately; skills he subsequently transferred to 3D sculpting.  No doubt had 3D printing been available at the time he may have embraced it, but perhaps not fully.

A large part of creating truly custom pieces comes from making ongoing adjustments to the working drawings and later to the sculpture.  Until you actually have a half sculpted torso of a waiter it is difficult to judge whether the 3D rendition of your 2D linear drawing “looks right” both as to scale and as to aesthetics.

That being said, for this project Martin began the creation of the two figures by roughing out the basic shapes on a band saw and then carving the pieces by hand with an array of carving chisels.

Once the figures were carved in wood and the basic form of the hair and clothing created, they were then spray painted with several coats of white primer. The primer acts as both a sealant that fills in the grain or pores in the surface of the wood and it also creates a fine medium on which to carve.  Martin used very fine chisels and an electric dremel to carve waves into the hair of the waiters and to create stylized lettering along the arms and legs of the clothing. As an aside, for those who have never used a dremel,  it is a lot like the fine drill that dentists use to inflict pain!

Part 3--step by step process to create custom door hardware

In part 3 of our series the pattern moves from wood to wax. As you recall from part two, the goblet pattern was technically and logistically challenging. Bronze is a heavy metal, not to mention expensive, and we wanted to create a casting that we could support with mounting posts that would not sag under the weight of the bronze. The goblet was carved hollow but aesthetically we did not want to be able to see all the way to the base so we created a false bottom that also acted as a support for the back of the goblet.

We cast our work using the lost wax method.  The molds we created and the positioning of the gates through which the bronze will flow are designed to allow the molten bronze to readily reach all areas.  To help achieve this, we minimize the undercut areas that would otherwise block or stop the flow of bronze.  To accomplish this we needed to create 3 separate molds for the goblet: one for the back of the goblet with mounting posts; one for the backless goblet with shallow bottom and with stem;  and one for the oval goblet base.

Once the molds were ready,  waxes were created for all 3 components of the goblet.

The goblet was then dipped in a slurry of silicon until a sufficiently thick shell or wall was created. When you are casting bigger pieces it can take several days to build up the shell but it is a crucial step for,  if the walls are too thin,

when the bronze is poured it will break through the wall and you end up with a ruined casting.

We will continue the process in part 4 with a discussion of the actual sculpting of the figures in the piece.  Stay tuned for the fun!

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

Part 2--step by step process of creating a piece of custom door hardware

In part one of this series we shared the drawing that was ultimately chosen as the model for the final design of custom wine cellar door handles. Briefly, we were asked to create three dimensional door handles based on a serigraph owned by the client.  We began with a drawing that showed the details and dimensions of the handles once they were completed.

Once this design was accepted by the client we moved on to the next step--carving the mold.

From a sculptural and casting perspective the concept had to be broken down into all of its components and we really were working with 2 concepts as we were making a left facing and right facing figure. We were also creating an extremely detailed piece and we wanted to show all the details including the script at the top and on the shield of the goblet as well as the fabric decoration on the seam of the waiter's jacket and trousers.  So the components we were working with were:

• 2 Figures-one facing left, one facing right
• 1 Goblet
• 1 Goblet flute
• 1 Shield for the goblet to show the script
• 1 banner to add later to the goblet containing script

We began by creating the first sculpture, the goblet, which was carved from a block of bass wood. Using various sized chisels, Martin hollowed out the inside of the goblet to make it as thin as possible so that the ultimate piece would not need a crane to install as bronze is a very heavy metal.

While carving a thin goblet wall takes a lot of skill,  the bigger challenge was finding a way to make the shield so that the script would be legible.  He carved the unadorned shield as a separate pattern and worked with Bob Pierce, his brother, to create the script for the shield and band as a digital image.

The next step was to have the script chemically etched onto a piece of metal that would be attached to the goblet.  We worked with a great metal etching company we have worked with many times in the past to create a recessed text onto 1/16" aluminum.  The metal needed to be thin enough to bend in order to mount it onto the wooden form.  The same technique was used to create the banner at the top of the goblet.

As these are wine cellar door handles one very important detail was still needed--bubbles. We put our knowledge of upholstery to use and found some upholsterers decorative nail heads that were the perfect size and shape to mimic bubbles.  And here is the finished pattern.

The piece is now ready for the next step--stay tuned for part three of this series.  And to view our entire collection of custom hardware, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Step-by-step process of creating a piece of custom bronze hardware-Part 1

Follow along as we create custom door handles that are inspired by this beautiful artwork.

Early this year we were contacted and asked to work on a home in nearby Beverly Hills. The project was to create a pair of wine cellar door handles based on the client’s original serigraph.   In essence, we were asked to create an original three dimensional handle using a linear serigraph as our inspiration.  It helped that Martin liked the serigraph and found that it was well suited to be rendered into a sculpture.  The client was clear that he wanted Martin to employ his own artistry to create a new work of art and use his own hardware expertise to create handles that could be successfully mounted back to back onto glass doors.

Both Martin and our client wanted to capture as much of the fine detail as possible and to give the handles an aged quality.  All that being said, it became apparent from the start that these were going to be extremely difficult pieces to make and require a large amount of bronze so the client decided to make them a limited edition of 50.

As we have shared before, the first step is to come up with a workable design in drawing form.  In this case it took 3 sets of drawings to deliver the one that met all the client's requirements.  Shown below is the chosen design.  You can see how it will attach to the door from the side view and be easy and comfortable to grasp.

To follow along, stay tuned for part two of what we feel is a very interesting and informative series.

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