Custom Metalwork Capabilities

Railings, fences, and gates represent the intersection of safety and statement-making design. Unlike mass-produced aluminum alternatives that rattle in the wind and corrode within seasons, hand-forged steel installations from my Traverse City forge are engineered to last generations. Every piece begins as raw stock—mild steel, stainless, or wrought iron—that I heat to 2,000+ degrees and shape using traditional blacksmithing techniques refined over 25 years at the anvil.

A railing is not merely a safety barrier; it dictates the physical boundary of a space with architectural precision. From sweeping spiral staircases in Lake Leelanau estates to heavy-duty perimeter fencing for Northern Michigan farms, each run is forged to exact dimensions that integrate seamlessly with wood, stone, glass, and modern building materials. Gates serve as the handshake of a property—they must swing with engineered precision while carrying the aesthetic weight of the estate, whether that means intricate scrollwork, nature-themed cutouts, or minimalist industrial lines.

Commercial installations demand a different scale of thinking than residential work. When a restaurant serves 200 covers per night, bar foot rails must withstand relentless impact. When a brewery hosts thousands of visitors weekly, custom metalwork must project permanence while surviving constant use. My commercial portfolio spans Traverse City, Petoskey, and throughout Northern Michigan, including full-scale renovations for Silver Spruce Brewing, Riverwalk Grill, Gypsy Farms, Union Cantina, High-Five Spirits, and Bonobo Winery.

The scope of commercial work extends far beyond single pieces to encompass complete interior transformations. This includes structural bar builds with integrated foot rails and glass racks, heavy-duty signage that withstands lake-effect winters, restaurant dividers that create intimate spaces within open floor plans, and ADA-compliant railings that don't compromise aesthetic vision. Every installation includes direct collaboration with architects, interior designers, and general contractors to ensure metalwork integrates seamlessly with the broader build-out.

Steel doors and windows represent the ultimate expression of industrial elegance in residential and commercial architecture. Replacing wood with metal instantly changes the acoustic profile, tactile weight, and visual authority of an opening. Unlike aluminum alternatives that feel hollow and conduct heat, properly engineered steel fenestration provides thermal performance while maintaining incredibly narrow sightlines and substantial heft.

My door and window portfolio spans the spectrum from wine cellar gates to grand entryways, pivot doors to bi-fold systems. Each installation is engineered to house modern insulated glass while maintaining sightlines as narrow as 1.5 inches—impossible with wood frames. The steel itself becomes a design feature, available in finishes from raw industrial to sophisticated blackened surfaces, often complemented by hand-forged bronze hardware.

The custom projects category captures commissions that defy easy categorization—the hardware, fixtures, and specialty pieces that don't fit neatly into railings, furniture, or art classifications. These are the solutions clients seek when standard products fail to address unique challenges: fireplace doors for irregular openings, custom range hoods that integrate with cabinetry, shelving systems for unusual wall configurations, and hardware pieces fabricated to match historical remnants.

This category represents the purest form of problem-solving through metalwork. A client describes a need—sometimes sketched on a napkin, sometimes explained through conversation—and I engineer a solution that didn't exist until we created it. The common thread is uniqueness: these are pieces unavailable through catalogs or showrooms, fabricated specifically for the spaces and requirements they serve.

Kitchens and bar tops represent the specialized intersection of metalwork and culinary spaces—surfaces, accents, and structural elements that must withstand food preparation demands while contributing to interior design. This category encompasses steel countertops, copper bar tops, custom range hoods, kitchen islands with integrated metal components, and complete kitchen builds where metal serves as the dominant material.

Unlike general furniture or custom projects categories, kitchen and bar work requires specific expertise in food-safe finishes, heat management around cooking equipment, and integration with plumbing, electrical, and ventilation systems. These installations become the heart of homes and commercial establishments, spaces where families gather and businesses serve—requiring both durability under daily use and aesthetic appeal that elevates the entire environment.