Custom Steel and Mosaic Creations

The more we put our forged steel and mosaic work together, the more new ideas occur to us and our clients for ways to collaborate. It’s such an exciting and satisfying journey!

We created this first table to show off the client’s collection of glaze sample ceramic tiles handmade by her mother.

The tiles came in a variety of colors and thicknesses. The fun challenge was to create a pleasing pattern of color AND as smooth a surface as possible. We were impressed in the end that Johannah was able to create a relatively even surface.

This client is local and was able to visit our studios to see examples of other tables Kyle has created. This helps a lot in visualizing the final product. Together, Kyle and the client designed a base that fit their taste as well as the space the client had in mind for the table.

This next one is a collaborative piece we designed and made for ourselves!

We needed a single step from the gallery floor up to the door to the next room. Kyle forged a small railing with circular shapes for Johannah to fill in with mosaic. For the pure fun of it, she decided to go with dark pink and gold with a green flat marble at the center. Kyle also made the wooden step in hickory to coordinate with the flooring in the gallery.

We created this last table for a couple celebrating an important wedding anniversary.

Kyle and the client designed the table to fit their entryway hall. The colors in the mosaic were inspired by other nearby artwork. Our friend Christina Boy made the walnut top.

Railing with Many Stairs

Kyle designed this series of forged, minimalist hand railings for a home located on a hillside.

The terraced steps and curving lines of the property provided an interesting challenge. Each railing required custom measurements and templating to fit the various spaces.

The result is a series of railings ranging from winding, organic lines to more traditional forms, tied together with a cohesive style.

We made this video to share on social media while Kyle and his team were forging some of the railing components. We were in the midst of a heat wave here in Virginia, so the Bananarama song “Cruel Summer” seemed a particularly fitting soundtrack.

Forging custom railing.

For the entrance to the home, Kyle designed a relatively spare set of hand railings in the same style. He added a spiral flourish to the end plus a hand-forged bronze finial to give this set of railings a bit of presence.

Here’s a sample of the range of railings Kyle and his team created for this lovely property.

Ready to start designing your own custom railing? We are currently booking for this coming fall. Reach out and let’s chat!

Forged Interior Railing with Mosaic Inlay

Here’s another project in our favorite category, mosaic and steel collaborations. This client reached out to us about replacing the existing railing in their home. They wanted something more artistic and individual.

To fit their needs, Kyle designed custom hand-forged steel railing with mosaic panels incorporated into the design. For the mosaics, the client requested asymmetric designs in white and black.

{Click or tap images to enlarge.}

The railing for this home included three sections:

  • two panels on either side of the lower portion of the stairs

  • a bannister on the wall for the upper part

  • and a balcony along the top edge.

As Kyle and his team created the railing, Johannah worked on making the mosaics on mesh panels. Once all the parts were completed, Johannah glued the mosaics into the railing then grouted them.

Below you can see all three sections of the railing installed in the client’s home. We’ve included some close-up shots of some of our favorite details.