Design Inspiration

Custom Design is What the Customer Wants 

One thing I look back on as one of the most valuable skills I learned in my first jobs was the importance of listening to the customer. I came from RISD’s Textile Design program which intentionally shielded us from the ...

Vents: Do we want them to stay or go way?

Let’s be honest. Do we want these to go away or to stay? I do realize that vents are something in a space that no one truly cares about and even more so wants to think about and deal with. ...

Always Metal On My Mind

What’s more satisfying than me always having metal on my mind? When others do!! Jessica Willits, our extraordinary Project Manager, is sharing her fabulous NYC experience with us this week: I had the amazing opportunity to attend a tradeshow in ...

Pointcarre for Modern Metal Gate Design

For me, Pointcarre software is far more than just a CAD program.  During my years working as a Textile Designer at Maharam, I was trained in Pointcarre.  At the time, I believe we went to the offices in NYC to ...

Designer Dog Doors from Modern Metal

This is a project we did years ago with Altanta designer extraordinaire Janie Wilburn of The Jane Group. Janie is one of my favorite people to work with, and she always brings true southern hospitality and spirit to our creative ...

Blackened Steel Finish is Here!

Ever since I started Modern Metal, customers have asked for blackened steel. Everyone seems to have a different and very specific visual in their mind when they say blackened steel. I have always considered it to be sort of an ...

Modern Metal Wow Factor: Architectural Metal Panels Inside and Outside! 

Today I was in the neighborhood on this beautiful sunny, chilly winter California day, and couldn’t resist paying a visit to a favorite project. This is a building designed by Rob Zirkle and his team of talents @brick. architecture and ...

Joan Brown Inspires

Last week I carved time out of my work week to meet my sister and go see the Joan Brown exhibit at the SFMoma. It’s will be showing through March 12th so there’s still time to catch it if you ...

RISD Textile Annie Archives

Recently, I have reconnected with many of my RISD Textile Department classmates on Instagram. Memories flood my mind of those endless days and nights in the weaving studio, and I am loving seeing what all my friends are doing. Now ...

Paint to Match…or Not

All of the pieces in our ready to ship line, with the exception of the black floor grilles, come in our standard white powder coat, which we’ve named Whiteout. This is an intentional choice I made because I love leaving ...

Out and About

This week, I have been out and about again making deliveries, meeting new customers and discovering new fabrication partners.  It feels SO good just to have to get dressed and out of the studio interacting in person with people again!  ...

Originality Deconstructed: Upcoming Exhibit in NYC

What could be better than having the opportunity to break down my design process, and to share the “how” and “why” behind my authentic designs to fellow creatives and the public at large?  Not much! To celebrate Be Original America’s ...