Traditional artistic methods and 3D printing

One of the advantages to old school artistic methods is that they allow the artist to make more immediate design corrections. While CAD does allow the artist to see his virtual sculpture from a 3D vantage, the same holds true for perspective drawings done free hand with pencil and vellum. No doubt the ease and speed of both methods owes a lot to the different ways our brains are wired and to the different way we learn our artistic skills. While Martin Pierce does use a Wacom tablet with built in mouse, for his initial development drawings he finds he can achieve a faster result by adding and erasing pencil lines.

Plan View of Raven Design

This is the same approach he uses when creating custom door handles and as with sculpture, the grid drawings can be placed on solid wood so that the shape can be traced onto the wood’s surface and then cut out with a band saw. While we could use 3D printing to create the pattern, the speed of printing a quick cast SLA model and the cost makes this approach less attractive. By comparison, once a pattern has been sculpted and the artistic and practical bugs sorted out then 3D printing comes into its own if one wants for example to create a left or right version of a piece. We have occasionally used 3D scanning to scan a pattern and then have created a print file that is a mirror image thus allowing a 3D print to be made. The only drawback to doing this is that you end up with a clone of the original and Martin tends to have a preference for asymmetric designs.

Profile of Raven design

Hardware, bugs and more at Martin Pierce Hardware

Throughout the years we have shared with you Martin's interest, actually fascination, with insects.  So much so that for several months last year we hosted two beetles we fondly named Natasha and Boris. This interest not only includes the study of their habits but extends further to the study of their habitats, behavior and skeletal structure.  Therefore, many of our vacations and weekend excursions are planned for the very purpose of scouting for and studying many of these creatures. All of this research and study enables Martin to apply amazing detail to not only custom hardware pieces but also to the bronze sculptures and paintings he has been working on. While photographs and more information on these pieces will be available soon, rest assured that the wait will be worth it.

Here are a few examples of some of the custom hardware pieces, in actuality miniature sculptures, that we offer in our collections.  The same labor intensive casting process is used in our smaller hardware pieces as is used in our larger sculptures and custom projects.  Please make note of the exquisite detail in each and every piece.

Wasps feature prominently in some of Martin's new work.  However, our Animal collection of architectural hardware includes a bronze wasp drawer pull that is available in both an open wing and closed wing design.  The beautiful detailing on the wings adds dimension and texture and would be a wonderful addition to the decorative design of a retail boutique, spa or residential project.

Many items from our various collections, including the wasp pull, are artfully displayed at Folger & Burt's showroom in San Francisco.

To view our entire collection of custom hardware or to discuss your own hospitality design project, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Bigger is sometimes better with our newly sized cabinet pull

If you checked out our Latest News Section on the website then you already know that we are now offering a new edition to our Ergo collection---the 6" wide Wave pull. Those designers who are familiar with this line are already aware of the 2" and 3" pull but there has been a real need for a bigger pieces that are scaled for larger cabinet doors and drawers. I recently had the pleasure of working on a project in New York where we were being specified for many of our Ergo and Morphic pieces but the cabinet drawers simply cried out for a more robust, yet still elegant, Ergo wave. We considered a few possible sizes but decided on a 6”W x 1 1/2”D x 1”H.  Scaling a piece is not an easy task which may explain why it has taken us so long to bring out this piece but we think the wait has been worthwhile.  Designers and architects can now specify this piece that is being cast in either bronze or stainless steel, offering a good color range to suit their clients specific needs.

We have had a lot of fun photographing all the wave pieces that went into this upscale and delightful kitchen project and credit needs to be given to our wonderful photographer Doug Hill for having the imagination to arrange and photograph these pieces to show off their fluid and organic quality.

We would love to hear your comments on this new addition to our Ergo collection or, to view our entire collection of architectural hardware please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

A feast for the eyes:

Custom toy chest part III--final detailing

If you have read, and hopefully enjoyed, our previous posts then you are now aware of the process used to create this incredible toy chest but you may be asking yourself how it gets that glow?  Here is a synopsis of the final detailing process we used.

• Before the entire piece is finished, details need to be applied to the raised carved animals. Some animals were lucky enough to receive a coating of gilt including the owl, deer, rabbit and geese who were decked out in white gold.  This is a multi-step process that begins with the application of a modern jesso called casein (made from milk solids) in successive layers to fill in the open grain of the wood.  Next Martin applied a gold size called Wondersize over the smooth casein and very carefully laid the paper thin white gold on top.  Once dry the excess gold was brushed off and the gold received a coat of lacquer to seal it into place.  It was now time for all the animals to receive a paint job to bring out the individual details of wings, feet, fur etc.  This was accomplished through the use of a glaze made of pigment, oil and alcohol.
• It is now time for the entire chest to be finished with a penetrating oil that brought out both the rich grain and red amber color of the wood. We then lacquered the piece with a commercial lacquer for shine and protection.  Unlike woods like walnut and oak that lighten with ultra violet exposure, this cherry chest will turn a rich mahogany color as it is exposed to the oxidation of ultra violet light over time.
• Final details like those whimsical and "Disneyesque" mushroom feet and the swallow pull add the final magical touches.  The pull was cast in blue jeweler's wax that allows Martin to create details like the wing and tail feathers.  You can learn more about this casting process by reading this post.

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The end result of all of this is a toy chest that is an heirloom in waiting and while our client is not royalty, is certainly fit for a royal baby, wouldn't you agree?

Please visit us at www.martinpierce.com to view our entire collection of bespoke hardware and furniture.

And the winner of our bronze drawer pull is......

In celebration of our 100th blog post we offered the first person who "liked" our new business Facebook page one of our beautiful swallow drawer pulls.  We have a lucky winner and her bird pull is flying her way now via the U.S. mail. Cast in bronze, this pull is a beautiful representation of the little birds that appear at the same time every year in San Juan Capistrano California to build their unique mud nests in the tile roofs of the local mission.  Once their job is complete they leave the area just as quickly as they arrived. Mother Nature really does create amazing creatures!

Martin is always inspired by nature and enjoys creating these beautiful pieces of miniature art that can double as functional hardware.  Our custom entryway sets modeled after some of those critters will create a memorable first impression while our unique door and drawer pulls, hinges and other architectural hardware pieces cast in the form of many familiar bugs, reptiles and things with wings found in our Animal collection will add that all important final detail that sets any home or business apart from its neighbors and competitors.

To see our entire collection of custom hardware or to discuss your special hospitality or residential project, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.

Butterflies have arrived at the HD Expo 2013

There will be butterflies flitting about at the upcoming HDExpo 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada next month.  Well, maybe not flitting about but there will certainly be butterflies in the Martin Pierce Custom Hardware booth #2153.

Why?  Because we are offering our magical small butterfly drawer pull to the first ten lucky visitors to our booth.  You can add this pull to your desk drawer to brighten your day each morning, install it on the bathroom vanity for a touch of nature or delight any little girl with butterflies in her bedroom.  Used as a decorative accent on a bookshelf, coffee table display or desktop it is certain to add a smile to your face.

This drawer pull is hand-crafted in the same manner as all of our hardware pieces; beginning with a drawing by Martin used as a template for the hand-carved wax mold, cast in bronze and polished to the perfect patina.  A true miniature work of art!

We look forward to seeing old friends and making new friends at the Expo so be sure to stop by and say hello--and make it early, remember, there are only 10 of these butterfly drawer pulls to go around.

You can view our entire collection or contact us for bespoke orders at www.martinpierce.com.

Happy Easter from Martin Pierce Custom Hardware

We want to wish all of our customers, clients and readers of this blog a happy Easter holiday.  We hope it is spent enjoying time with family and friends amidst the beauty of springtime.

Check out our new video on facebook

Throughout the years we have been the recipient of generous accolades from trusted and respected design sources such as Luxury Home Magazine, Luxury Living Magazine, Architectural Digest and The Washington Post.  Mountain Living may have said it best with "A top shop for outside-the-box designs from rabbits and frogs to grapevinesand willow branches"  With the help of Lauren Lekai at Adgenio we are now able to share some of these testimonials as well as many of our bronze and stainless steel custom hardware products with you in a short and easy to watch video.  Check it out on our facebook page or you can watch it by clicking  here.

The video makes it possible for you to view and share with your clients some of our most popular door knobs, drawer pulls and entry way levers in use.  This includes shots of our very first collection, Hedgerow, as well as our newest Ergo extended door handle in stainless steel.  Please let us know what you think of our foray into the video world and, as always, you can view these and all of our products by visiting our site at www.martinpierce.com.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Feng Shui of shapes found at Martin Pierce Custom Hardware

Many of us are already familiar with the impact the use of the art of feng shui can have on our lives trough the use of certain colors, placement of items and nature's elements of water, fire, wood,earth and metal.  But did you know that certain shapes can also affect the "feeling" of a room? According to feng shui experts, each of the five elements of feng shui have a coordinating shape.  For example, if you are trying to introduce the element of water into your space and are having difficulty adding a fountain or other water element, try a wavy shape to the room.  This can be in the form of artwork, fabric patterns or door and drawer hardware such as those found in our Ergo collection.  The beauty and simplicity of this design can certainly bring tranquility to any room in your home or business.

The exciting fire element can be introduced through the use of triangular shapes.  Try our Bamboo pull with its triangular shaped leaves or the unique and unusual conical pull from the Textured collection.

The element of metal can be found in round shapes that are present in many of our designs.  Round door knobs and pulls in luxurious bronze metal is an easy way to add  both a round and metal element to your spaces.

The earth element correlates to square shapes and wood to rectangular shapes.  Along with our readily available collections, custom pieces can be created to meet your exacting needs.  Who knows, the ancient art of feng shui just might change the look and feel of your space so isn't it worth a try?

For more information on these new products, 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

Discover the birds and the bees from Martin Pierce Hardware

If you are a fan of Martin Pierce Custom Hardware then you are already familiar with the birds and the bees.....not those birds and bees...rather our wonderful collection of unique hardware that celebrates nature's critters.  Take a look:

While the birds and the bees hardware pieces are fun and versatile, don't forget the other creatures we offer like our lizard door lever, fun bat hardware or beautiful flora and fauna options that will enhance any decor.

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.

Martin Pierce Custom Hardware had fun at the 2012 HD Expo

As we mentioned, we attended the HD Expo 2012 in Las Vegas for the second year in a row.  We made arrangements for Iris to stay home with a wonderful sitter that didn't quite work out as planned but all was well in the end.  We packed up the car and off we went. We were pleased to receive a very enthusiastic response to the new Ergo pull in a warmer bronze as well as the Morphic series in steel.  We met vendors and visitors from as far away as Japan and Indonesia.  The Indonesian contingency represented a company that offers a beautiful collection for both commercial and hospitality use.  Check out their products at http://www.native.co.id/ and see if you don't agree with me.  We were also excited to meet a group of imagineers from Walt Disney Imagineering who came from the local Glendale office as well as from Japan.

Please let us know what you think of the new bronze finish?