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!