Modern & Ornate Hand-forged Iron Beds From Ciacci Of Italy

If you thought the art of metalworking and hand made wrought irons beds were a thing of the past (and even if you didn't), let me introduce you to Ciacci.



Begun as a crafts workshop in 1965 for the ancient art of metal forging by Piero Ciacci, the Ancona, Italy based company is still thriving today. Ciacci is distinguished mainly by their beautiful beds, available in traditional, ornate and modern models in various sizes and finishes.

Ciacci products are available in various finishes such as black, silver, metallic gold, antique, rust and ivory


Here are a few of their more unique bed designs, most available as double or single beds.

Brigitte:

Garden:

Georgette:

Lotus:

Nuvola:

Papillon:

Querida:

Sogno:

Tea:

Venice:


They also make many traditional wrought iron beds, such as the Kelly, shown below:


as well as matching lamps, end tables and chairs:


For more products and information, visit Ciacci.

Modernist Metal Birdhouses & Birdfeeders By Joe Papendick

Metal sculptor Joseph Papendick creates beautiful outdoor birdhouses and bird feeders. The collections I'm sharing with you here are his modernist and cubist designs. Made of steel and treated with primer and 2 coats of bright and beautiful enamel colors, they are available in the colors shown or any color combinations you'd like.

"Charm" Birdfeeders


These welded steel bird feeders are made entirely by hand and are 12" in diameter The stainless steel screen, which holds the seed, is welded to two stainless steel rods. These rods fit into grooves at the corners of the piece. The rods hold the seed screen in place much like a hammock, and also serve as perches for birds. The entire screen and rod section is removable for cleaning.

"Cheepie" Standing Birdfeeders


These hand crafted, welded steel birdfeeders stand approximately 6' tall. The upright support is welded to an "I-beam" shaped base which has been uniquely designed to allow the piece to stand securely upright when "planted" into the ground approximately 8 -10 inches deep. The 'feeder' portion contains of a stainless steel screen designed to hold bird seed a safe distance off the ground. Shielded to a degree from rain, wind, and sun - the stainless steel screen allows for rapid drainage of any water, and will never rust through. Once 'planted' into the soil, the design allows for the roots of surface vegetation to reach through and firmly anchor the piece into the ground.

"Cubist" Bird Feeders


This first series of "Cubist" bird feeders measure 11" tall X 8" wide. Two stainless steel rods, inserted through holes drilled into the sides of each piece, allow a perforated aluminum screen for bird seed to simply rests on the rods. This feeder screen sits between the boundaries created by two rectangular slats which are inserted through cuts made into both sides of the pieces. An additional stainless steel rod runs perpendicularly through these slats, serving to stabilize the rectangular elements, while also serving as an extended perch for birds. Keeping the various elements separate - without welding - allows for them to be painted separately, now in in the future. These pieces are each treated with spray primer and enamel. Although they are pictured here in only select colors - with white as the sole horizontal color - they can be easily finished in any combination of colors you'd prefer.

"Duo" Hanging Bird Feeders


The "Duo" series of hanging bird feeders measure 14" tall X 18" wide. They are made from hand bent welded steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Divided down the middle by the roof structure, each of the two separate sides holds a perforated aluminum screen for bird seed. The seed screens simply rest upon the two stainless steel rods which are inserted through the piece. Along with two other rods, of differing lengths, these rods also serve as perches for birds . The Longest is 22" wide. The pieces are designed to hang by twin ropes of galvanized steel wire, approximately 20" long. Each of these support ropes rests under the angle of the two bent roofs, coming together at the top in two loops. The pieces are treated with two coats each of spray primer and enamel. Although they are pictured here in only select colors, they can be easily finished in any color you'd prefer.

"Plus" Bird Feeders


The design of this 'Plus' series of bird feeders features two rectangular elements. The two main sections are not welded together. Instead they nest within each other, and a pair of stainless steel rods, running through the middle of both pieces, holds them perpendicular. Three perforated aluminum screens for bird seed rest on these rods. Since they are cut to fit within the three individual sections, the screens also serve to prevent movement of the horizontal piece from left to right. I particularly enjoy it when everything about a design just seems to work together! These pieces measure 12" high, 14" wide, and 5" deep. They have each been finished with two shades of spray enamel, one slightly darker than the other. Any of the pieces in this series can easily be finished in whatever color combination you'd like to see.

"Home" Hanging Bird Feeders


Inspired by the shape of old wooden birdhouses, these new "Home" series bird feeders measure 6" square and 18" tall. On each of the two levels a perforated aluminum screen, designed to hold bird seed, is supported by two stainless steel rods which are inserted through the piece. These rods also serve as perches for birds. The pieces are designed to hang by a rope of galvanized steel wire, 20" long, which has been looped permanently through the top section. They are treated with spray primer and enamel. As such they can be finished in a variety of colors.

Shop for the above here.

Once Homes To Dolls, Now Modern Light Fixtures.

Artist Peter Waltz builds houses. But not the kind you live in, the kind you live with.

Peter has been working with found objects like Electrolux vacuums, old PA speakers, even hanging planter baskets, for many years, but it was his series of House Lights that captured my attention.

With a BFA from Tyler school of art in Philadelphia, Peter says he was always searching for items that can be transformed, reworked and renewed. Especially items that could serve as a vessel for light. Then came the houses.



"When I work with them, they tell a certain story about how they need to "remodeled". Whether it be maintaining the original paint, forcing them to rust, or polishing to a steel finish, they are all different. I guess these days I'm the only one in the country that can still "flip" a house." Peter writes, undoubtedly with a smile.


above: the artist, Peter Waltz, beneath one of his lights

His House Lights, which can be wall mounted or used as table lamps, are mini mid-century suburban style vintage dollhouses. The ranch homes, two story homes or split level homes beg to be explored. With little patios, dormers, and multi pane windows they have the charm of a 'home sweet home' with the edginess of a modern art piece - and a functional one at that.

I believe some to be the actual tin litho homes by Marx, T. Cohn and Wolverine Supply & Mfg.Co which are shown below:



Below is a T. Cohn tin litho home as originally appeared and after Peter's treatment and wiring:


And with his process of forced rusting or polishing, he turns them into functional finds that cast beautiful shafts of light and shadow. Just take a look.










close ups and details:






Prices range from $300.00 to $700.00 USD. I suggest you buy one of his homes before you can't afford them. If still available, prices and more information can be found at Peter's site here.

special thanks to my modern met on notcot