De Luco Architectural Metals

DECO INSPIRED RAIL

2012-02-11T05:55:00.000-08:00

COCKTAIL TABLE

2011-12-23T07:57:00.001-08:00

WHIMSICAL CONSOLE

2011-12-08T04:19:00.000-08:00

CLASSIC FIRE SCREEN

2011-11-19T09:57:00.000-08:00

PEDESTAL BASES

2011-10-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

A pair of contemporary bases for a massive wooden top.

VANITY BENCH

2011-10-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

KNOT AND TASSEL HANDRAIL

2011-10-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

CONSOLE

2011-09-28T10:10:00.000-07:00

DISPLAY BED

2011-09-22T05:18:00.000-07:00

This is a bed frame we made for a local department store to display bedding and sheets

HORSE FIRE SCREEN AND HAMMERED DETAIL

2011-09-20T12:49:00.001-07:00

LIBRARY LADDER

2011-09-15T04:53:00.000-07:00

DINING BASE

2011-09-13T13:59:00.001-07:00

TREE GUARDS

2011-09-09T07:56:00.001-07:00

SIGN BRACKETS

2011-09-03T04:50:00.001-07:00

These are a few sign brackets I designed some years ago for some shops on Main Steet here in Cincinnati.

WINDOW GUARDS

2011-08-23T08:51:00.001-07:00

DISPLAY SIGN

2011-08-16T04:33:00.000-07:00

We built and installed this display piece designed by our friends at Evolo Design.
The framework is polished clear powder coated steel.

DECO CONSOLE

2011-08-12T04:47:00.000-07:00

INTERIOR STAIR

2011-07-31T06:45:00.000-07:00

We just finished this railing a few months ago. The builder supplied the posts and wooden rail cap.

KITCHEN WORK TABLE

2011-07-22T06:23:00.000-07:00

Clear coated steel base with granite and butcher block top

GOTHIC CONSOLES

2011-07-17T10:29:00.000-07:00

I designed a pair of these "Gothic" inspired consoles for St. Xaiver Church here in Cincinnati.

FREE FORM DINING BASE

2011-07-07T10:59:00.001-07:00

This table was just recently finished and shipped to a client out of town. It's shown bare and cleaned before the final finish of tarnished gold was applied.

COLD HAMMERED COCKTAIL TABLE

2011-07-02T10:17:00.000-07:00

This is a table I made back in the late 1980's. Each piece of material was hand hammered cold. I doubt I have the patience or energy anymore to do that! The scrolls and wrapped stretcher were done with a torch. Personally I have yet to find a job where a torch was not as good or better then a forge. I get a lot of grief from peers who love their forges and rib me about getting rid of the one I had but never used. I just find it a waste of heat and energy when a torch gives the exact same results. I won't argue with centuries of tradition but I just had to put my two cents in!

CURVED GARDEN RAIL

2011-06-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

WAVE BED

2011-06-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

This is a bed I made for a couple who are friends of mine. The curved headboard is obviously the focal point here. I constructed a framework and covered it in sheet metal. It's hollow but still a hefty piece. The finish is polished and clear powder coated.

GATE

2011-06-09T13:41:00.000-07:00

ARC TABLE BASE

2011-06-04T07:48:00.001-07:00

This a particular favorite of mine. Clean and simple. The arcs are tapered which gives the piece a little extra interest. It is also extremely solid. The top shown is only a piece of MDF made to support the granite top that was added later. It's fabricated of steel, polished and clear powder coated.

TWIG BENCH

2011-04-09T06:11:00.000-07:00

This is another collaboration with my friend Dan Searcy. He supplied the wood and we came up with this rustic but contemporary bench. The client actually uses it as a cocktail table. The finish is a bronze powder coat.

PEDESTAL WITH GRANITE TOP

2011-03-09T06:09:00.001-08:00

WOOD AND STEEL

2011-02-26T08:23:00.000-08:00

We just finished these pieces for my friend Dan Searcy. Dan specializes in reclaimed wood. He does furniture and mantels among other things. These two pieces, both topped with solid Walnut will be down at the Cincinnati Convention Center for the 2011 Home and Garden Show.
The base for the dinning table has proved to be very popular, this being our 3rd version of it.
The wood on the wine rack/server is so massive we decided to come up with a piece that felt reminiscent of an old bridge.

WINE CELLAR GATE

2011-02-09T06:56:00.000-08:00

We recently installed this wine cellar gate. The client wanted something more decorative then secure. We took their concept, added some detail and the client provided the fluted glass inserts.

FIRE SCREEN WITH OUR FRENCH STEEL FINISH

2011-01-30T08:06:00.000-08:00

MIRROR WITH COPPER LEAF FINISH

2011-01-26T05:47:00.000-08:00

BED FIT FOR A KING

2011-01-23T07:52:00.001-08:00

We did this bed for a couple many years ago. Quite over the top and fun to make, though we had to deliver during a snow storm! The Marble piece with the Griffins was supplied by the client and became our "inspiration" piece.

MORE DESIGNS BY PETER HUTTINGER

2011-01-11T13:29:00.000-08:00

DESIGNS BY PETER HUTTINGER

2011-01-11T12:52:00.000-08:00

ANOTHER LOOK BACK TO SOME PAST PROJECTS

In the mid 1980's we worked with artist Peter Huttinger on a number of his pieces.
The sculptures took the form of gates, though none were actually hinged or functioned as such.

I regret not documenting the work better. Before digital cameras etc. we just never found the time.

In addition to the photos shown here there was a large temporary installation at the Federal Reserve Garden on Fifth Street here in Cincinnati and another at the Civic Garden Center.

There were also a series of chairs that I have no record of.

Peter usually gave us full scale drawings when it was practical. We would then discuss the material, shapes and sizes he wanted to use. For example the centers of the "flowers" are 3/4" thick plates pierced with a cutting torch.

I believe the first piece we did is shown in black and white and was shown at the Toni Birkhead Gallery on fourth Street. ( now long gone)

The three paneled piece with the colored glass inserts was installed on the grounds on what I believe was a bank in Newark OH. Each section was approximately 6-7 feet high.

The largest piece was installed in front of what was then a Cincinnat Bell office building in norther Kentucky. I believe the building is now home to Toyota.

The glass panels were done by a glass artist who's name I don't recall. (my apologies)

The mounting poles and "wings" are stainless steel. The flower and decorative "tongues" are polished brass left to weather. The rest is painted steel.
(At the time powder coating was unheard of or at least in it's infancy!)

POLISHED STEEL CONSOLE

2010-12-30T05:31:00.000-08:00

STAIR RAIL

2010-12-24T12:16:00.000-08:00

I BEAM CONSOLE TABLE

2010-12-14T05:51:00.000-08:00

DISTRESSED MIRROR

2010-12-01T05:10:00.001-08:00

stainless,copper and steel acid treated finish

ELLIPSE TABLE

2010-10-13T08:19:00.000-07:00

The clients for this piece also happened to be friends. I was given the opportunity to design something original and specific for their need.

I prefer to design this way i.e. given a specific use, size, shape etc.

The base is entirely constructed of hand made elliptical shapes.

The shapes were based on a diagonal slice from a round tube.
In fact, I originally intended to simply use a number of pieces cut from a tube.

However, they just didn’t have the organic look I was after.
Instead, each shape is heated and formed individually then burnished to remove all the scale.

Once the pieces are all formed and cleaned it’s just a matter of creating the form and assembling it in an attractive way.

The finished piece is cleaned again and clear coated.

PORCH RAILING

2010-08-25T04:59:00.000-07:00

This home had a complete make over by the new owner. We worked with the interior designer and came up with this updated design with a polished stainless steel cap.

BALCONY GUARDRAIL

2010-06-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

This railing was designed with the designer who also happened to be the homeowner. He provided the distinctive rosettes that were incorporated into the design.

PERFORATED COCKTAIL TABLE

2010-06-08T09:49:00.000-07:00

We just finished this cocktail table for a model condo. The glass top is painted from underneath.

WALL SCULPTURE

2010-05-31T05:10:00.001-07:00

Again, I thought I would dig up some vintage work we did in the mid 80's. This is a wall sculpture we did for a food court in a mall in Columbus OH. It's been so long ago I think the entire mall is now history! For a sense of scale the square stainless panel with the applied grid pattern is about 4 feet square.

Stainless Conference Table

2010-05-23T05:23:00.000-07:00

Modern Cocktail Table

2010-05-08T04:56:00.000-07:00

I designed this cocktail table in the late 80's early 90's. The original sat in my living room as my own for many years. A strong design with a nod to the mid century modern movement it appealed to a more corporate client and we made a small number over the years mainly for corporate offices. We did make a pair of them for the movie "The Associate" staring Whoopie Goldberg. I have watched the movie a few times but I am afraid any shots of the tables landed on the cutting room floor.
That's showbiz!

Condo Security Gate

2010-04-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

Counter Balanced Chandelier

2010-04-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

This piece was a challenge. The chandelier is suspended by ropes and held in place by a weight. The balance is just enough to hold it in place, though with a little effort can be lowered to accomodate a dining table underneath or raised when the table is not in place.

JULIET BALCONY

2010-04-04T05:03:00.001-07:00

Side Table

2010-03-30T12:48:00.000-07:00

Cocktail Table

2010-03-05T08:44:00.000-08:00

Twig Deck Rail

2010-02-21T09:28:00.000-08:00

I started this blog with just a small glimpse of this rail. We finally finished the job about a month ago and I thought I would revisit it. The designer wanted something organic and twig like. We stylized it a bit and both the owner and designer were quite pleased. The entire thing was made by hand and aside from the dimensions we just winged the design makeing it as we went. Though time consuming it went together quickly, always stopping to check we met the 4" spacing code!
The finished piece was primed and powder coated.

Twig table bases

2010-02-10T11:39:00.000-08:00

Ribbon Console

2010-02-03T11:56:00.000-08:00

This is a console I made for a designer/friend of mine. He started with the stone top and wanted something functional yet sculptural. It's become a signature piece of mine and I have used the concept in a handful of other table bases, no two the same, of course!

Cocktail and Console

2010-01-27T05:42:00.000-08:00

I designed these two pieces way back in the late 1980's. Not long after that, the Film "Little Man Tate" was shot here in Cincinnati and a friend connected me to the films set decorater Samara "Sam" Schaffer. We did a lot of miscellaneous work on the film, altering props, making small art stands etc.
Sam needed a cocktail table and console but the shooting schedule didn't allow us the time to design and make new pieces.
The client who I made these pieces for was kind enough to lend them for the films use. In appreciation her son was allowed to be in one of the scenes filmed on a nearby college campus.
Not long after that Sam called me again to do some work on the film "Curly Sue".
This time we had more time and we took this same cocktail table design and made a dining table for the film. We also made "Sue's" Bed and the frame for a couch which was designed by the films art director.
We were lucky enough to work on a few more films all thanks to "Sam".

A ROOM WITH A VIEW

2010-01-12T13:12:00.000-08:00

A year or two ago a local resturant here in Cincinnati, Primavista, did some updating in their dinning room. They serve outstanding Italian food, with a spectacular view of the city.
They asked us to replace an exsiting brass railing with a design that was interesting but unobstructive. The railing is simple yet elegant and worked out perfect for our client.

Desk for Home Office

2010-01-05T11:52:00.001-08:00

Side table

2009-12-29T04:15:00.001-08:00

I can't believe it's been almost 20 years since I designed this table. Painted or powder coated steel with a stainless top.....it's still a designer favorite

Buffet/Winerack

2009-12-20T06:23:00.000-08:00

A wine loving client of ours needed both a serving piece and a way to display and store his wine bottles. He had limited space so we came up with this funtional but still attractive piece that could accomdate about 3 dozen bottles.

Raising the Bar!

2009-12-12T06:59:00.000-08:00

This project we completed about 2 years ago. The client was customizing a penthouse condo here in downtown Cincinnati. One of the challenges they faced was, what to do with a water tank that had once serviced the old office building they were located in.

The designer contacted us after the decision was made to salvage it and turn it into a bar. Parts of it had already been cut out by a contractor on the project but the overall project was more then he could handle.

This was lucky for us since the bulk of the “dirty work” was complete.

The designer, Greta Tyson, coordinated our work with the plumber, electrician, counter top supplier etc. A clear coat was applied to the surface of the aging metal leaving it as natural as possible.

Our work was to construct shelving and supports for the counters, a foot rail and the bar top fitted into a steel frame trimmed in faux rivets to capture the feel of the original piece.

We supplied the glass, bar top and shelving surfaces, all of which required exacting patterns made to accommodate the curve of the tank.

The interior metalwork, including the large metal tube to hide the plumbing was faux finished to blend in with the distressed metal.

The bar top trim and foot rail were painted to resemble stainless steel.
Since the back of the tank is out of view it made it easy to simply drill through and attach most pieces with machine screws and nuts.

The client was pleased and ended up with quite a conversation piece!

2009-12-10T10:36:00.000-08:00

This site was originally intended to be a referral to clients to see some photos of our work and a little about us.

Just a “testing of the waters”, so to speak, before embarking on a full fledged website.

It seems, however, that one can easily get lost in the blogosphere if the content is not varied, up to date and compelling.

I’ll do my best to keep things interesting!

Let’s start with a photo of the rear of our shop cira 1950’s. The original name of our business was Cheviot Welding Service started by my dad Tony. Starting with a truck and a tiny rented space in the City of Cheviot he finally was able to build his own place. The post war building boom keep them very busy with two trucks and as many as 8 employees. Though I wasn’t born yet I can still remember those vintage trucks being around when I started as a kid.

Fire Screen

2009-12-08T13:28:00.001-08:00

Sink Stand and Back Splash

2009-12-08T08:22:00.000-08:00

This piece was lightly glazed giving it a green patina then clear powdercoated.

Bracket

2009-12-07T06:44:00.000-08:00

Polished and clear powder coated

GARDEN GATE

2009-12-06T11:40:00.000-08:00

FIRE SCREEN INSTALLED AND PRIOR TO FINISH

2009-12-06T11:36:00.000-08:00

Wisteria Trellis

2009-12-06T11:35:00.000-08:00

Console

2009-12-06T04:43:00.000-08:00

Fire Screen

2009-12-05T11:53:00.001-08:00

Deck Rail

2009-12-05T10:31:00.000-08:00