Brass continues to be a popular interior design trend for 2015

Brass is back and in a big way.  In fact, this warm metal has been making an appearance in both residential and hospitality projects for a couple of years now.  This is not the gaudy brass of the seventies but a softer version that is beautiful in both matte and shiny finishes. And it is being seen throughout the interior design industry in furniture, lamps, hardware and accessories.  Here is just a glimpse of what is out there. You can make a bold statement in the bedroom with this new bed from Taylor Burke Home featuring a brass frame and upholstered insert.

Highly polished or left in its natural state and allowed to patina over time, brass fixtures offer a welcome option from chrome, stainless, nickel and bronze finishes that have been popular for so long.

While we do appreciate the look that brass offers, we do not work with brass.  It is a soft and porous metal that will tarnish and flake off over time and certainly not give you a lifetime product. We do, however, offer a high polished bronze finish (shown below) that provides a high shine and warm golden tone similar to brass but with the added benefit of being a strong metal that will not flake or peel off, tarnish etc.

Contact us to discuss your architectural hardware needs or view our entire collection of custom hardware at www.martinpierce.com.

Pantone surprises everyone with 2013 color of the year choice

Color experts from Pantone surprised everyone when they announced the color of the year for 2013 was a rich emerald green.  Everyone expected and, in fact, reported as we did here, that the color of the year would be Monaco Blue.  Perhaps they just wanted to be different from everyone else from Sherwin Williams to Pittsburgh Paints to the world-renowned Color Marketing Group who all chose varying shades of blue as the color to watch for next year

Green is a popular choice as it will satisfy those who are interested in the environment and enjoy eco-friendly living, particularly those involved in designing public spaces such as nursing homes, retirement communities, spas and boutiques.  According to the voices at Pantone, emerald green "..enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."

This rich shade of green is also a very versatile color.  Brass accents look rich and elegant yet when combined with oil rubbed bronze it becomes a cozy and inviting color.  And stainless steel adds the pop of shine necessary in any contemporary setting.  Take a look at these samples and you will see how easy it will be to marry the color  of the year with your hardware finishes.

To view our complete  line of hardware and get the latest news on what is happening at Martin Pierce, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.