We are currently finishing up on a custom, metalwork project located in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. The project required the creation of an entry gate that replicated the building’s existing window grilles. Built in 1906, the design found within the grilles, feature an infill made from vertical, curved steel bars adorned with elegant rosettes throughout. Please keep an eye out for the upcoming case study detailing this project.
Recently, we completed building and installing custom, hand-forged, interior railings for a private estate in Southampton, N.Y. Proposed by the famed, Oliver Cope Architect design firm, the ironwork incorporates traditional features within a contemporary design scheme, making it a truly one of a kind creation.
We are currently working on a metal restoration project for the historic Henry Street Settlement located in the lower east side of NYC. Please visit our “Case Studies: page to read PT. I of our study highlighting this exciting project. To learn even more about the project, please visit the Henry Street Settlement website.
Images of an Arts and Crafts style interior staircase railing and fireplace screen that we created over a decade ago.
As craftspeople, we continually seek ways to educate ourselves in various areas of metalwork. Recently, our head blacksmith, and tool enthusiast, Tim had the opportunity to take a week long course at the Adirondack Folk School under the renowned, and former Master Blacksmith at Colonial Williamsburg; Peter Ross. The class focused on creating box joints, a shape commonly used in 18th century tools such as sugar nippers, round nose pliers, scrolling pliers and rush-lights. Creating such a shape requires challenging forging techniques and processes. Once forged, the piece was polished, and finished. This type of work was typically completed by a Whitesmith. Below are a few images of Tim’s finished products. These are replicas of 18th century English style box jaw pliers. Pliers such as these were highly used in Colonial America and exported throughout the world.
For many, the month of October represents a mystical time of year. Halloween, previously known as All Hallow’s Eve, marks the beginning of a darker, colder season that has often been associated with death, witchery, and things supernatural. The Druids celebrated this holiday "with a great fire festival to encourage the dimming Sun not to vanish" and people "danced round bonfires to keep evil spirits away, but left their doors open in hopes that the kind spirits of loved ones might join them around their hearths". In both history and lore, the blacksmith too, has been associated with many of these other-worldly traits.
Here is a photo of a restoration that we completed on a historic Lenox Hill residence. This project included the restoration and refinishing of the location's original 120 year old exterior fencing, newel posts, and gates. To learn more about this project, please click on our “Case Studies” page.
One of the most exciting and bold design trends that we are seeing is the use of texture patterned metals. These pieces are being applied in both architectural and ornamental work. Such examples include decorative panels, kitchen range hoods, railing panels, and table tops. Just about any project can be elevated by using the right metal with the right texture and finish. These pieces impart a hand crafted sensibility and interesting detail to both interior and exterior metalwork. But how are these textures made? As custom metalworkers, we have the ability to build our own custom tooling which allows for endless design possibilities. Below, is a video of the texturing process done within our studio once such tools are made.
To see more custom textured metal designs, please visit: www.customhammeredmetals.com
Forged Monel Gate Hardware Custom Made for a Historic Residence
