Custom Appliance Pull

We have now completed the custom Willow Appliance pull as can be seen from the photos here.
The custom pull was created by joining the right and left Willow cabinet handles to create the desired length of 17”. The length of the pull and shape of the sprig were perfectly suited to create this new item without our needing to substantially redesign the sprig and without the need to create a new pattern or mold. As discussed in an earlier post (Jan 16,2020) the new pull was created by melding and tooling 2 wax sprigs to create a single piece that was then shelled with several coats of a silica slurry before being fired to create a rigid shell.We cast these pieces in silicon bronze and then finished them in 3 different ways. The first photo below shows the effect achieved by finely buffing the bronze with successive grits of sanding compound. The deep undercuts created by the willow leaves create a shadow that adds subtle depth to the finished piece.

For a more dramatic pewter look we finished one piece using a full strength black oxide and gently removed a little of the solution around the edges of the leaves to create a very soft bronze glow, you will need to zoom into the second photo to understand what I mean.
For maximum contrast we finished the third piece with bold contrasting bands of black oxide that we removed in adjacent areas to create a striated piece.

Post Oak Hotel - Originality in Door Hardware

Our work in the Post Oak Hotel in Houston began in spring 2015 and culminated in our designing and manufacturing 3 unique door handles. The design process was a collaborative process and we were fortunate to work with Gensler in Houston and their wonderful creative team of designers and architects.

The first concept drawings were for the smaller 12” closet and shower doors and 2 alternative handles were designed and cast as protypes in steel for the model room. For those unfamiliar with the process, the model or mock-up room is where alternative samples of fabric, wall covering, and hardware are assembled for review and hopefully selection. We had submitted 2 handles for the barn doors and our braid prototype was selected as the handle for the closet, shower and French doo

The braid handle was inspired by an image of a chain bracelet that the Gensler team were using as a starting point. The interlocking woven nature of a gold chain was re-conceived by Martin Pierce as rows of braided rope that would ensconce a rod of solid steel.

The alternative handle “ribbon” was a more abstract design loosely based on vertebrae and building blocks.

In posts that follow we will be sharing photos of these pieces and will continue to discuss the other original handle designs made for this luxury hotel.

Large Exterior Doors Pulls - A Contemporary Style in Demand

The demand for large door pulls as entry statement hardware continues to thrive in the hospitality sector. The Ergo collection of contemporary entry door handles began modestly with the Heroic handle, ergonomically sculpted as left and right handles but still substantial at a height of 19” and girth of 1.75”.

Very Tall Door Handle

The sequel was aptly named Epic but in the size contest has been relegated to second position with the arrival of Mega which has just been released at a height of 54” and hand friendly diameter of 1.5”.

Mega Ergo is cast here in Los Angeles using the lost wax method of casting and is cast either in solid stainless steel or investment grade silicon bronze. The length, fluid shape and complex curves of Mega created challenges that lent themselves to this method of investment casting. The original pattern was carved by hand in 2 sections that were mirror images of each other, essentially a left and right section that together create a single non-directional handle and one where the bowed central grip can be pointed inwards or outwards depending on door jamb restrictions. The size of  Mega at 54”  is too great a length for the molten metal to flow smoothly without cooling so 2 molds are used to create wax replicas of the left and right half of the pattern. The wax replicas are “shelled” and then  fired to create a hard ceramic casing. The fired pieces are then placed in an autoclave to remove the wax which is “lost” and molten metal is poured into the hollow cavity of the ceramic shells. Once the 2 sections have been cast they are welded by hand to create a seamless fluid handle.

This process is obviously labor intensive and time consuming but as we can make the handle in wax sections we can fabricate longer innovative handles and meet the artistic needs of designers looking for statement pieces for public spaces.

Unique Door Handles in Steel - A New Spin on Hedgerow

We have been focusing on re-vamping our website and in doing so have been developing new pieces, new videos and new finishes for some of our signature pieces. The Hedgerow door pull is perhaps our most well known and iconic piece that represents our love of trees and natural forms. As you may know the new Hedgerow illuminated tree is an ongoing work that is expected to be completed by years end but since that is months away we thought it was time to revisit the Hedgerow collection and so are now casting select pieces in steel. The cooler tones of stainless steel play well in a modern setting and work for both residential and commercial projects. While this Hedgerow tree is not part of our collection of luminaires it can be lit by directional accent lights to create a dramatic statement.

Tree Door Handle A Signature Piece in the Hedgerow Collection

The 3 dimensional nature of this piece and the detailed sculptural tree canopy are very difficult to capture in a flat 2 dimensional photo so we will be releasing a short video soon which will more adequately capture the depth and scale of this steel tree.

By casting select Hedgerow pieces in steel, a rust resistant medium, we hope that these nature inspired pieces may take root in coastal locations!

The Hedgerow tree and 5 other signature pieces are also making their way to our new banner gallery that can be viewed on our website.

All of our work is made here in Los Angeles using the lost wax method of casting and each piece is finished by hand to create a truly unique piece.

Take a look at the current interior decor trend: florals

As with fashion, the interior design industry experiences trends that include color (Pantone's Color of the year, for example) as well as patterns.  A big trend this year is the resurgence of floral patterns used in upholstery, wallpaper and window treatments.  Rest assured that today's floral patterns are not your Grandmother's florals...they are bold and bright, often abstract in shape.

Contemporary Family Room by Los Angeles Interior Designer Georgette Westerman Interiors

Take a look at the bold floral pattern used on the club chair and accent pillows in this modern living room.  An unexpected color combination of blue and brown allow the modern floral shapes to take center stage.

 

Traditional Dining Room by San Francisco Interior Designer Amoroso Design

Painted furniture frames provide the perfect contrast to the over-sized floral pattern that appears on the chair backs and window treatments in this updated dining room.

Eclectic Wallpaper by Other Metro Spruce Eco-Studio

It is easy to enjoy this stylized floral and bird patterned wallpaper from Madison and Grow . This would be the perfect personalized touch in a nature inspired spa or boutique, not too bold but not too tame.  Complete the look with our bronze daisy pull as hardware on doors and drawers.

As with any design trend, start small by adding a few floral accent pillows to a couch or chair or create a focal point with floral wallpaper on a single wall.  Even something as simple as new door hardware in a sophisticated floral design such as this drawer pull that is modeled after a beautiful trumpet flower.