The Metal Tree

A staircase that looks like a tree?  Yes!  This beautiful tree project came to us in 2008, and remains the largest scale job we have accomplished to date, and also the most challenging and one of the most exciting. 

When ideas first pass by Leigh and Justin, they are not usually in a final form, or even necessarily a “go.”  Designs evolve and come and go over the course of a project.  With this project, however, there was little hesitation after we said it was possible.  The client’s excitement and momentum remained after they saw the sample tree, and then it was a full-scale design/build project.  Meaning we need to build this tree, rather quickly, to fit the specs of the room, but also so that it could be disassembled, carried into the house, and reassembled.  For all of these factors and more, we knew it was time to bring in some other local talent. 

For the two and a half months (2000 man hours) it took to problem solve and build this tree, Bob Compton of Rising Sun Forge, and Ned James lent their amazing talents to this project.  The collaboration with these blacksmiths was another exciting aspect to this project. By the end, even with all their different styles, they had formed a cohesive team.   Some of that feeling, I believe, comes through in the final project.   

After all these hours, weeks, and months, of working together, of planning and nit-picking over every minute detail that would create the over-all picture, the moment of truth arrived, the installation.  This was no easy task, and took 170 man hours to install.  All the planning, trouble-shooting, and designing paid off.  It fit perfectly, and reassembled nicely in place.   

The weeks and months after this exciting project were hard, as so much time, energy, problem-solving skills, and creativity were poured into the project day after day.  Justin, for one, says it was the first job he’d had where he felt a deep sense of let-down after.   Understandable…just look at that beautiful piece!

The Project

It seems as though most years, somewhere between Halloween and Christmas, we end up with an epic project.  I’ve begun to look forward to this time of year, not just for the festivities, but for the creative projects and fascinating people it will bring our way.   This past year was not a disappointment.  With a pretty full calendar already, in walked a delightful and very motivated couple.  They had a house that needed some finishing touches, and they were hoping to have the pieces in for Thanksgiving.  Could we help them out? 

We looked at the schedule, penciled them in, and got to work on the design details of the chandeliers and fireplace screens that they needed.  What fun and beautiful designs that flowed out!  Our designs are almost always a true collaboration of our blacksmiths and our clients, and this was certainly not any exception.  This couple had a wonderful design sense.  The chandeliers ended up with some gothic torch inspirations, and the fireplace screen looks like it was always meant to be there.  

As we head from summer into fall, I am looking forward to seeing what this year’s epic project will be.  This business is so full of creative twists and turns!