Matt Coffey Design specializes in custom projects using traditional hand-forging techniques. 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. The... Browse 4 portfolio pieces below.
Custom Projects
One-of-a-kind solutions for impossible problems
What is Custom Projects?
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.
Why Custom Projects Matters
Standard products force spaces to adapt to their limitations. Custom fabrication adapts to the space. A range hood can precisely fit an irregular ceiling pitch. A fireplace door can accommodate century-old masonry that settled unevenly. Hardware can match existing pieces from homes built in the 1800s. This flexibility justifies the investment in master craftsmanship for projects where standard solutions fail.
Integration challenges dominate custom work. New metal pieces must coexist with existing woodwork, stone, tile, or other materials. Finish matching, dimension precision, and installation sequencing require expertise that separates professional metalwork from amateur attempts. I provide site consultation, detailed measurements, and installation coordination that ensures seamless integration.
Historical restoration work falls into this category. When a historic home requires replacement hardware, fireplace equipment, or structural elements that match original materials and techniques, mass-produced alternatives destroy authenticity. I recreate historical pieces using traditional techniques—riveting, hand-forging, mortise-and-tenon joinery—that preserve architectural heritage.
Materials & Finishes
Material selection depends on environment, aesthetic goals, and budget. Outdoor pieces require weather-resistant materials like Cor-Ten or stainless steel. Indoor work offers more flexibility with bronze, copper, and raw steel finishes.
Typical Use Cases
- Custom range hoods and vent covers
- Fireplace doors and screens
- Irregular shelving and storage
- Specialty hardware and hinges
- Historical restoration pieces
- Custom brackets and supports
- One-of-a-kind fixtures
- Problem-solving commissions
Custom Projects Portfolio
4 hand-forged pieces • Click any piece to view full details
Custom Projects FAQs
Can you recreate a historical piece I have?
Yes. Using traditional blacksmithing techniques, I can forge matching hardware or structural components that seamlessly integrate with historic restorations. Bring photos, measurements, or the original piece itself for accurate replication.
How do custom range hoods work with existing ventilation?
I design range hoods to interface with your specified ventilation system—whether ducted through walls or ceilings, or configured for recirculating installation. All necessary mounting points and clearances are engineered into the design.
Can you match my existing finish or hardware?
Finish matching is a specialty. I can replicate patinas, powder coat colors, and metal tones to ensure new pieces blend with existing work. For hardware matching, I can create functional replicas of antique pieces using traditional techniques.
Do you do site visits for complex installations?
Absolutely. Custom projects requiring precise fit—fireplace doors, range hoods, irregular shelving—always include site measurement and templating. This ensures pieces arrive ready for installation without field modifications.
What if I only have a rough idea of what I need?
That's the starting point for most custom work. I work with rough sketches, verbal descriptions, or even just problems you need solved. Through conversation and preliminary drawings, we develop the design together.
Ready to start your custom projects project?
Every piece in the gallery above started as a conversation. Bring your dimensions, sketches, or simply an idea of what you need. I'll help engineer the solution and forge it at the anvil in Traverse City.