Steel Appeal Blog » Left Foot Designs

Just Passing Through

Curtis — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:09:58 +0000

What are my options for cold air return and register vents? I get this question all the time. With homeowners make their living space more personal and decor specific, they are running into a lack of options when shopping in stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot. Many are hiring interior designers, others are tackling the task of transformation on their own. In either case they have even more trouble when an opening is custom, or the air vents have to serve a custom purpose, like redirecting air flow from behind curtains. Sometimes with hardwood flooring a drop in register vent is desired. In many applications a custom size is required. This is were what I do at Left Foot Designs can make a huge impact on the final result. It is often the little details that pulls everything together. Cold air returns and register vents are some of those details. Below you will find a few of the custom items I have recently designed and built. Don’t let the details ruin all your hard work and time, get something made to your desires by someone who can make it happen.

Cottonseed Apparel Wardrobe Mirrors

Curtis — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:31:38 +0000

Who made those mirrors? The wardrobe mirrors located in the dressing rooms at Cottonseed Apparel in Glen Arbor were made by me, Curtis M. Warnes of Left Foot Designs. With some input form Ann Oberschulte (Co-Owner of Cottonseed) I came up with two designs, one a little organic, the other a little Frank Lloyd Wright. Both have brushed steel finishes on the main frame. Behind each top feature is a copper verde panel for a subtle contrast. Custom designs and sizes are available upon request. You may also check out what we have across the street at my retail store, next to the post office.

First Show In 2010

Curtis — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:35:35 +0000

The first show for Left Foot Designs will be at is the Up North Lake & Cottage Show. This is the fist annual show of this venue in Traverse City. Blue Water Promotions is the same company the organizes and promotes the Traverse City Boat Show as well as others in Northern Michigan. The event will be held at the Howe Arena in Traverse City, on April 23rd, 24th, and 25th. I am very excited to be an exhibitor, and can’t wait to participate in a show of this size in my own back yard. This will give me the opportunity to showcase some really extraordinary pieces as well as products that anyone can afford. I look forward to seeing many of my existing friends and customers as well as meeting some new ones. I will be post more information, like my booth numbers and some items I will be unveiling as we get closer.

Glen Arbor Bed and Breakfast

Curtis — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:16:40 +0000

I would like to start off by thanking the wonderful owner’s and Innkeepers at the Glen Arbor Bed and Breakfast for the opportunity to help with updating and changes they have made to their facility. I have been commissioned for several updates and changes requiring my metal fabrication services.

The commission I would like to feature for this post is the front gate to the porch entering off M-22. The original gate was wood and like most painted wood items exposed to the elements, it had seen better days. So I was approached, and asked what I could do that would tie in well with the existing balusters of the deck. After a little research I came up with a great hand forged baluster and steel tubing structure, that was then powder coated matte white to match the rest of the deck.

A Look At 2009

Curtis — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:23:07 +0000

I thought now would be a good time to bring things up to speed going into 2010. There were some really exciting events for Left Foot Designs. The most significant is the addition of a retail location in Glen Arbor. Located on the north side of M-22 next to the post office and across the street from Art’s Tavern. This is a seasonal location, and although it was not up and running until August the response was amazing and I am very excited for the 2010 season.

Another fun event was participating in the Glen Arbor Forth of July parade that begins in Glen Haven and goes through Glen Arbor. I’m planning on making this an annual event displaying a new sculpture each year. This year I presented a panther much like the piece I donated to Long Lake Elementary.

Other events of the summer were the art fairs that I participated in. Located in Leland, Glen Arbor, and two in Frankfort. I will be expanding my art fair appearances significantly this year and will have a list available on leftfootdesigns.com

As for 2010 I am excited to announce that I will be launching a new web-site in addition to steelappeal.com the new web-site is listed above and will be all things Left Foot Designs. Featuring more about custom projects and focusing more on the local scene of Leelanau and Grand Traverse area.

I want to thank everyone for the support and friendships that made 2009 an amazing and rewarding year. I look forward to chasing my dreams and making everyone involved feel like they are a part something special that is Left Foot Designs.

Giving Back

Curtis — Sat, 30 May 2009 21:40:42 +0000

It has taken a staggering two years for me get this blog going. I am not sure why, I guess time slipped away. So the first few might be about some outdated projects, so bare with me and the time lapse.

I have always believed in giving back. The opportunities are endless. However I tend to follow my intuition on where and when to act. A little over one year ago I was given an opportunity to give back to a place that I am for indebted to for what they have given me. That place is Long Lake Elementary. There they have a special needs/early child development program, where my oldest son had been attending for delayed speech and now my youngest son is enrolled.

Through some mom to mom networking it was brought to my attention that their chainsaw carved mascot had been removed because of decay and rotting. It was also brought to my attention that the children at the school were upset about not having a mascot and that a new one would cost a decent amount of money for the same thing that would only age and fall apart like the one before it. My wife was asked if I could do something for them that would last longer.

My initial response was sure I can make one, the catch for me was that I was experiencing tough financial times at my business. I really wanted to donate it because I knew that the school did not have much money to spent because of cutbacks, but at the time it was hard to look at my situation and be OK with donating it.

After talking it over with my wife and digging deep within myself I went ahead and made a three dimensional 8′ long and 3′ foot tall powder coated panther. With some help from Wheelock and Sons Welding (who donated the powder coating) I was able to give the school back their mascot at no charge. Little did I know that the greatest payment was how proud my son was of the panther. He actually called it his panther, ginning from ear to ear.

To top it all off the Traverse City Record Eagle ran an article about it, two actually. It was amazing the people coming up to me and my family shaking my hand and congratulating me on a job well done. In life there are things we do that change who we are. Many times it can never be undone, this was one of them for me. I have left a foot print in time and took one more step towards being the man I hope to be.e