Creative Metal Gates, Railings, Balustrades, Garden Sculpture ...

"... stylish, elegant, and bespoke metalwork ..."

A galvanised steel snowdrop sculpture for the garden A cascading and flowing handrail inspired by natural forms Art Nouveau inspired garden gates

Welcome to Verdigris, a contemporary forge and metalworking studio based in Dorset near Wimborne Minster run by artist blacksmith David Hyde. Work made by David can be installed throughout the UK and occasionally further afield. All types of creative and artistic metalwork is designed and made, ranging from garden sculpture through to more practical items such as gates, railings and balustrades. David has gained a reputation for creating exciting, innovative and highly detailed designs by blending traditional blacksmithing techniques with the use of modern precision machinery. His passion is for forged steel and wrought iron but many other metals such as bronze, copper and stainless steel are used. You can see a selection from his portfolio of bespoke metalwork below but there is a more comprehensive body of work to view in the gallery pages.

Richly Detailed Arts and Crafts Gate:

Richly Detailed Arts and Crafts Gate

This richly detailed garden gate embodies the principles of the Arts and Crafts movement with its understated design and precise, crisp joinery. Traditional blacksmithing techniques on display include hot punched holes, elegant tapers and hand forged detailing.

Wrought Iron Stair Railings Inspired by Natural Forms:

Wrought Iron Stair Railings Inspired by Natural Forms

These vibrant and exuberant stair railings were commissioned by clients with a passion for gardening and nature. The railing's design was inspired by the youthful and inquisitive growth of seedlings and how their emerging tendrils and leaves appear to explore their surroundings as they rapidly grow.

Asymmetrical Wrought Iron Art Nouveau Gates:

asymmetrical wrought iron Art Nouveau gates

The design of this pair of asymmetrical gates and their side railings was inspired by the flowing curves of the Art Nouveau movement. A balanced blend of straight lines and sweeping curves lends the gates both a feeling of security and a sculptural quality.

Cascading and Flowing Sculptural Handrail:

cascading and flowing sculptural railings besides the river Thames

Only a single straight line was used to create these sculptural railings and handrail for a garden situated on the banks of the River Thames. The cascading and flowing handrail reflects the riverside location, whilst clusters of plant-like natural forms are used for support posts.

Galvanised Steel Garden Light Snowdrop Sculptures:

Galvanised steel snowdrop sculpture as garden lights

Although the tallest of the snowdrops is over 8ft high, they still capture all the delicacy and poise of such a diminutive woodland flower. Each snowdrop is individual and bespoke and can be made as either pure sculpture or as a garden light. Their finish is galvanised steel that can be left to weather naturally or can be specially aged.

Bespoke Wrought Iron Railings in a Historic Setting:

A contemporary design in a historic setting

Combining contemporary design with ancient symbolism, these railings reflect the historic setting of their location. Their cascading circular elements hint at trefoil windows and suggest Celtic Art from the earlier La Tene period.

Textured and Patinated Copper Fire Canopy

Textured Patinated Antique Looking Copper Fire Canopy

Special patination techniques were developed to give this bespoke copper fire canopy an antique look reminiscent of vintage leather. Its warm tones and lightly distressed texture wonderfully pick up on the brick and woodwork surrounding the fireplace ... it almost looks like it's been there forever!

A Graceful and Elegant Bedroom Balcony

Quirky hand forged Juliet balcony

This contemporary metal balustrade for a Juliet balcony was designed to meet building regulations re the "100mm gap". However, unlike a row of regimented upright bars, the balustrade still has an element of creativity to it.

Frameless Gate and Railings with a Nature Inspired Theme:

Handmade-Nature-Inspired-Frameless-Gate-and-Railing

The brief for the design of this gate and its side panel was to avoid any straight lines and that the meeting of the two halves should blend seamlessly into the design. The commission also had to reflect the wild beauty of its Hebridean setting.

Bespoke Wrought Iron Garden Railings:

Bespoke Metal Garden Railings

These bespoke wrought iron railings were designed to reflect the semi-circular motif used throughout the garden. As with many of our designs, the railings don't use a conventional top rail, instead the forged steel uprights were shaped to suggest a top rail.

Bespoke Contemporary Metal Railings:

Bespoke Contemporary Metal Railings

David has an affinity towards designs using movement and flow. Sweeping curvilinear lines are a specialty, as these bespoke, stylish and contemporary metal railings demonstrate. They were commissioned for a villa in the French Riviera and their design uses breaking waves for its inspiration. As with many of our commissions, the railings are designed without a surrounding rectangular metal frame.

Galvanised Steel Tree Wall Sculpture:

Galvanised Steel Tree Wall Sculpture

This galvanised steel tree sculpture was commissioned for the side of Affleck's Palace; a shopping arcade in Manchester with an eclectic mix of small independent stalls and boutiques aimed at the student market. The spreading growth of the tree suggests youthful and inquisitive exploration.

Art Nouveau Inspired Metal Stair Railings:

Art Nouveau Inspired Metal Stair Railings

These design of these metal stair railings was inspired by the flowing and expressive lines used in metalwork from the Art Nouveau period. However, setting the curves against the lattice work of straight lines gives the design a modern twist and helps to emphasise the flow of the curves.

Stainless Steel Fantasy Fairy Tale Stair Railings:

Stainless Steel Fantasy Fairy Tale Stair Railings

Spectacular, colourful and sparkling stair railings made from stainless steel and designed with more than just a hint of a fairy tale to them. Coloured glass diamond shaped crystals held in place with jewellery style fixings glint and gleam as they catch the light and add an almost magical fantasy quality as the railings cascade and flow up the stairs.

Bespoke Art Nouveau Handrails:

Bespoke Art Nouveau Handrails

These elegant bespoke metal handrails were commissioned by customers with a passion for all things Art Nouveau. The design of the handrails reflect the period features seen throughout their house. Their sweeping and flowing curves were inspired by the lines typical of Art Nouveau metalwork.

Bronze and Polished Stainless Steel Dragon Sculpture:

Polished stainless steel and bronze dragon face with amethyst eyes

The attention to detail of a jeweller was used to create this dragon by fusing and subtly blending bronze and polished stainless steel. Amethyst gem stones bring it to life as they catch the light but please click on the picture to see another of the sculpture's unique features.

Creative and Very Different Stainless Steel Railings:

Creative Artistic and Unusual Stainless Steel Railings

These very different and unusual stainless steel and glass railings were commissioned for a seafront property in St Mawes Cornwall. Their design picks up on aspects of this environment including naval pennants flying in the wind, stylised flora from the area and the dry stone wall on which they sit.