Elegant Finishes Of Stone And Iron

Attention to detail through elegant finishing touches is the key to delivering visual impact in interior design. At Karved and Forged Design, Inc., the decorative elements of handcrafted stone and iron are combined to deliver a luxurious knock-out punch while evoking any architectural style from medieval to modern American.

The husband and wife team of Claudia Herrera and Jay Frias own the business in Naples, but Karved and Forged Design, Inc. is truly a family affair. "My sister and her husband are in charge of the Palm Beach branch of the business," explains Claudia. "My mother oversees various aspects of the wholesale business for both the U.S. and Mexican markets, and we have other family members in Mexico who are involved in various production aspects of the business."

And business is certainly booming. Karved and Forged Design, Inc. regularly ships pieces throughout the world. In addition to their showrooms, Claudia and Jay have gained a well-earned reputation via word-of-mouth and the Internet, trade shows, model home tours and the recommendations of interior designers from coast-to-coast.

Stone and ironwork are integral to a project, working in conjunction to provide design continuity throughout a residence. Carrying through a selected pattern in the mouldings, carved arches, fireplace surrounds, and mantles and into the front entryway means that the atmospheric integrity is maintained throughout the home. Such attention to detail has been a hallmark of Karved and Forged Design, Inc., as evidenced in the many projects completed by the firm in Southwest Florida.

Explains Claudia, "Typically, we go out to see a client’s space, where we take measurements and photographs and get a feel for the house. Many clients already have an idea of what they want and often have pictures of what they are looking for in their installation. It’s our task to rework the dimensions or slightly alter the design in order to make the chosen design fit their space."

Wrought iron, latticework, gates and railings can all be fabricated to recreate a host of period settings, from the understated beauty of Restoration England, to the elegance of Spanish and Germanic designs, rich with rocaille flowers, leaves and ribbon. "While any design is possible," says Claudia, "an individual client’s imagination is often what puts the final touch on a unique and gorgeous living space."

At Karved and Forged Design, Inc., artisans will custom carve stone and forge metal by hand in order to make your home the finest residence imaginable. They offer their clients a wide range of stone products, from claddings and flooring, both standard and cut-to-size, and their staff has the combined talent and experience to provide hand-carved columns, fountains, fireplaces, mouldings, pool copings, balusters, corbels, window sills, base boards and staircases, to mention just a few of the custom items available.

While precast concrete has gained in popularity, it has a tendency to crack after long exposure to the Florida sun, heat and moisture, and the look and feel of concrete cannot compare to that of real stone. Natural limestone, for example, is virtually maintenance-free. According to Claudia, "We are able to provide any amount of the types of stone we quarry at our quarries in Mexico, such as Cancun, Ticul, Coquina and Fossil. And no matter what the chosen architectural form, whether Roman or contemporary, we feel that these designs combine overall into what we consider a Neapolitan style."

Karved and Forged Design’s artisans also have the talent and experience to forge and design in aluminum, stainless steel, brass, bronze or copper, recreating what artisans have crafted over the centuries and creating memorable gates, balconies, railings, spiral staircases, elevator cages and fences.

Their services include fabrication, consultation with project designers, shop drawings, nationwide delivery and professional installation.

KARVED & FORGED DESIGN, INC.
239 594- 0508 or (toll free) 866 KF-DESIGN

www.karved-forged.com


Written by Kristine Hughes