Chris

Just got some beautiful installation photos from a customized Lautrec style range hood with a light weathered bronze finish we did earlier in the year. The floral frieze was built up with layers of stamped metal similar to the way a wood hood would be built — just a whole lot heavier. This hood was finished in a very light tone and a satin finish to set off the dark cherry cabinets and granite counters. Speaking of which, I’m a little bit in love with these cabinets, especially the island corbels. Will have to find out who made them and post that information in an update.

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Chris

Last month, Chris and Randi took a three-day road trip with Jay Lowe up to the Brimfield Antique Show, the largest outdoor antiques market in the country. We’d heard about this near-legendary show before—Jay has been going there every year since he was a child—but hadn’t checked it out. Held three times a year (May/July/September) in the small Berkshires town of Brimfield, MA, the Show extends for more than half a mile with vendors set up as much as 500 feet deep on either side of Route 20.

Our visit was mainly motivated by curiosity about the market for some of the metal furniture that we’ve been interested in — we knew there must be people doing something similar in style to the ultra-heavy zinc and cast-iron tables we’ve been developing, and we wanted to see what was out there, who was looking for it, and what else they were buying. There was some nice metalwork there - some of the most interesting was a series of beautiful steel and wood tables from Cleveland Art with a workbench aesthetic that were way underpriced. (Very similar to what we’re doing, just needed a little more polish.) Also saw some interesting metal mantle frames and mirror frames.

But the big story of the event was the shopping spree. Somehow we ended up with a truck and a van full of antiques like these:

About a dozen sewing machine bases from Singer and a number of forgotten brands. Massive cast iron legs that once held up who knows what kind of industrial equipment. Some wonderfully rusted specialized machines, like foot-pedal lathes and staplers. Hydraulic tables and mechanically adjustable drafting boards. In short, everything a steampunk could dream of for their home. And that’s not even beginning to catalog the purely decorative pieces - cast iron buffalo heads, fence pilasters and column bases, and mantle decorations.

We’re building an entire line of furniture from these pieces. Here’s an interesting piece designed as a dining room table that combines industrial brute strength with the elegance of zinc:

Close-up of details:

Like some red-eyed Antiquinator, we’ll be back. Next time, though, we’ll have enough furniture to sell to cover our shopping spree.

More information about the Brimfield Antique Show (site only works in Internet Explorer).

Chris

A pair of century-old small zinc planters for sale at Ruby Lane. Made by Ukrainian immigrant Samuel Galkin in Providence, RI sometime around the first world war. If the patina in the photos is accurate, I’d say these look like cast zinc with fairly large amounts of lead and copper — a very different composition than the material we use today. Still, this gives a good idea of the longevity of zinc.

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Chris

In day to day operations, I get a lot of credit for the things CLP Design produces. While I certainly deserve some of that since I work hard and more hours than a person should or could, I have to say that I would be nowhere without the people pictured below and the great folks that aren’t mentioned.

The fact that the floors are clean in my shop means that I can produce some of the most stunning art for your home safely and accurately, so in essence I view the guy sweeping the floors and keeping it neat as my equal in this process… the great folks that have dedicated their time and energy into this company deserve more credit than I can give…

A few of the people who keep us running from day-to-day.

• Administration: Randi, Kim
• Promotion: Holly, Than
• Production: Josh, Joel, Tim
• Warehouse: Keith, Randy, Dino

… and so many more!

Bios of a few are at http://christopherleeplummer.com/company/people.html.

Chris

Earlier in the year, we worked on a zinc bar for the Potenza, a rustic southern Italian themed restaurant and bar in downtown Washington, DC. Early this morning, we stopped back in to inspect how the surface was holding and look at a few areas which will need touch-up. Of course I took the time to snap some pictures!

The Potenza is located in the Woodward Building at 15th and H St, NW. The latest venture from Stir Food Group, who also run the acclaimed Zola Restaurant a few blocks away, the Potenza serves breads, pastas, wine, and desserts in a comfortable setting. From the restaurant’s web site:

Prepare yourself for a place steeped in tradition, comfort and warmth. Located in the historic Woodward Building, architectural details are preserved, incorporated into a space that houses an active open kitchen. It’s a feeling of old world detail that you might expect to find in Foggia, Italy.

The combination of old world charm and exquisite dining draws you into the surroundings and energy of the inviting room, the unique food and the matchless service.

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Chris

We just got photos back from a couple more early slip-cast countertop projects. Time for Show and Tell!

This first job was very simple, a straightforward seven foot long slab of cast zinc to be used as the front bar in a basement den. This was the very first slip-cast counter we sold, and it looks beautiful! The homeowners had actually already ordered a top bar from their granite manufacturer, which they cancelled after seeing our samples and hearing the story of the process — hows that for a great client satisfaction story?

While our bar was fairly simple, we think that it integrated perfectly into the surroundings. We didn’t do the installation, so these photos were the first we actually saw of the completed room. The barrel stave stools and pendant lighting from Napa Style really help bring everything together, too. Beautiful use of metal as an accent material.

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