Hardware Renaissance - American Handcrafted Custom Hardware

Hardware Renaissance,  one of Belmont Hardware's premier sponsors of the Hardware House program,  offers  unique custom hardware solutions.   They will create custom hardware in both hand-forged iron, and also in solid bronze.  Their designs are produced in-house from their design team located in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  The design team is made up of blacksmiths and sculptors who are attracted to the project by virtue of receiving a royalty for every piece created.  The distinctive hand applied  patinas that are singular to Hardware Renaissance come from local area artists, who also receive a royalty for the use of their work.  


We at Belmont, have great admiration for their philosophy of working so actively with great local artistic talent! 

1.       When your company is asked to create custom hardware or modify current hardware for a specific client’s project what is your approach to this?  Do you have a defined process in place?

Hardware Renaissance has a lot of experience in custom work, so we have a defined process for it.  Fully 35% of our hardware is customized to some extent or the other.  We are very unique in that we do custom hardware in two totally different processes and metals:  hand forged iron, and cast bronze.   We start with detailed consultations with the customer to define requirements and then have finalized, signed-off drawings to use in manufacturing.  Doing custom work in hand forged iron is very different from cast bronze, as the iron is totally hand made, and custom work does not require moulds or patterns. So we are able to it with minimal upcharges.

2.       Do you have a person or department dedicated to custom projects?

We are a small company so we do not have a fully dedicated department for custom projects, but 2 of our staff have the expertise, along with our engineers in manufacturing.

3.       How important is having a custom capability to your company?

It is VERY important, because we are able to fulfill the customer’s dreams and requirements for the job exactly as they envision it.  It also continually challenges us and many time leads us down new, exciting avenues of growing our already unique product range.

4.       In your opinion what makes for a successful custom project?

COMMUNICATION!  Clear definition of requirements and expectations on both sides, personal prompt communication with updates and any changes, and a dedication to total customer satisfaction.

5.       What aspects of creating custom hardware are the most challenging?

New engineering is always more challenging than simply new designs or styles of existing products.  We have done custom jobs where no one else was interested because the engineering required was not worth their time.  But we never shy away from the difficult, indeed we thrive on it!  Hence I believe that we have developed a solid reputation for a wide variety of custom work, from unique hand forged iron hinged door grilles, to retrofit hardware for Scandinavian log homes (a real challenge!) to hardware for the most unique antique doors that customers find all over the world. 

6.       What aspects of creating custom hardware are most rewarding?

Doing something where the end result is even better than the customer expected.  Creating something beautiful and unique that absolutely fits the bill for the job.  Taking a sometimes blurry vision from concept to reality.  Hardware is something people see, touch, and use all the time, and creating one of a kind pieces is absolutely rewarding!

We want to thank Hardware Renaissance for being such a great partner with Belmont Hardware, and for being so generous with your time and expertise for the Hardware House Program!

Welcoming Anton Poliakov to our Belmont Showroom

Anton began his new career with Belmont Hardware in the  Belmont showroom in August.   Belmont welcomes his extensive experience with high-end decorative hardware and plumbing fixtures, not to mention his years with a proven track record to deliver the highest in customer service standards.

With an educational background that includes; business, economics, marketing, and computer information systems, Anton is more than ready to provide excellent customer service to his new design trade clients, and homeowners.  He also brings with him an interior design base of clients from his previous experience, and is looking forward to the opportunity to introduce those new customers to Belmont Hardware's growing decorative cabinet, door and plumbing hardware showroom collections.

Coming to the United States 15 years ago from Moscow, Russia, Anton is excited to bring his design and business background to Belmont Hardware.   So far, learning about Belmont's decorative cabinet and door hardware has been a fun experience for him, he already has some favorite hardware lines that he likes to recommend!

Baldwin Hardware is his "go-to" choice for door hardware, Anton feels that Baldwin has so many different styles and options to offer his  design clients.  Everything from their Archetype Bronze hand crafted line, to their ultra-modern stainless steel European, Estate Collection styles.

For decorative cabinet hardware, Anton's first choice to recommend is the Dekkor line.  Fabulous stainless steel styles;  modern, contemporary streamlined looks at an incredible valued price.


Belmont Hardware welcomes Anton to our Belmont Hardware showroom sales team, and is encouraging  his customers to stop by and see him in the expanding showroom on El Camino Real in Belmont.

Anton can be reached via phone: 650-591-0345
or e-mail: anton@ belmonthardware.com

A Conversation with Bronzes de France

As part of Belmont Hardware's,  Hardware House Program, co-sponsored with California Homes + Design Magazine,  a list of questions was developed by Brad Clore, the owner of Belmont Hardware, and sent to the custom hardware sponsors.  We received back some great answers that we'd like to share with our trade design clients, and our homeowner clients, that are seeking out something that can be tailored for just their needs.

Creating custom hardware for a clients' dream home is such a interesting process, making it possible to design decorative, functional hardware that are truly unique statement pieces.

This was the conversation that we had with Bronzes de France, a world renowned, timeless French design company.  Belmont Hardware is proud to be an exclusive source,  representing their incredibly beautiful hand crafted decorative hardware in the Bay Area.

1. When your company is asked to create custom hardware or modify current hardware for a specific client's project, what is your approach to this?  Do you have defined process in place?

 As every individual client has different imaginations and desires, every project is unique. When we developed a custom plate entry set for the palace in Thailand, we received a drawing from the architect, and from that drawing, we made a technical drawing with specification and dimensions. From there we make a resin mold for approval. 

Another approach we took recently was for a residence in Chicago. The client requested a custom Louis XVI knob on rose, and after reviewing the elevations for this client's residence, the factory sent drawings of a custom piece, developed by their own expertise.

With recent developments in advanced manufacturing technology, we are able to replicate, modify, and develop anything one can imagine!

2. Do you have a person or department dedicated to custom projects? 

Yes. Located in the Normandy region of France, we have three technicians with over 100 years of combined experience in design.  Monsieur Barthel, Madame Bouvet, and Monsieur Maitrel implore you to push their custom design skills to the limit.

3. How important is having the ability to create custom hardware to your company?

It is the key to our success. Over 80 % of our business in the past decade has included some kind of custom design.

4.  In your opinion, what makes for a successful custom project?

 Thinking outside the circle!


5. What aspects of creating custom hardware are the most rewarding?


The most challenging and rewarding aspect of custom design manufacturing is foreseeing and developing a product that will not only appease the client's requests, but will also stand the test of time. We manufacture our product with the thought that it will outlive the house.

6. What aspects of creating custom hardware are the most rewarding?
See above!

From the Bronzes de France website: 

"When bronze was first used for decorative hardware in the XVII century, it was originally sand cast. Today our company still uses this traditional form of casting as well as the Lost Wax process, which gives much finer detail to the castings. Most of our products are still individually hand chased by craftsmen using methods originally used back in the XVII century.  This accentuates the details of the pattern before we carry out the actual finishing process." We think you will be highly impressed with the quality and craftsmanship in their hardware!