For years, Metropolis Iron has been known for the weight, detail, and timeless beauty of cast iron drapery medallions. These pieces weren’t just decorative hardware. They were architectural statements, built to last and designed to elevate a space.

But like many American makers, we’re navigating a changing manufacturing landscape.

Some of the cast-iron components we’ve relied on for years are no longer available. Rather than quietly discontinuing beloved designs or compromising on quality, we made a deliberate choice: evolve the material, not the craftsmanship.

This is the story behind that decision and why it opens the door to something even better.

Why Traditional Cast Iron Is Becoming Harder to Source

Over the last few years, U.S. manufacturing shifts, rising import costs, and supply-chain changes have made certain cast-iron components increasingly scarce. In our case, this affects roughly a dozen existing designs and pieces many customers already know and love.

We had two options:

• Let those designs disappear

• Or reimagine how they’re made

We chose the second thoughtfully, intentionally, and without cutting corners.

Introducing a New Generation of Metropolis Iron Designs

Our newest drapery medallions are crafted using a high-strength, iron-inspired composite material, produced through advanced 3D-printing technology.

Let’s be clear:
This is not flimsy plastic.
This is architectural-grade material, chosen specifically for strength, detail, and longevity.

What This New Material Allows Us to Do Better

Environmentally Responsible
Produced with low-waste manufacturing and sustainable materials, reducing environmental impact while preserving design integrity.

Lightweight Yet Exceptionally Durable
Easier to ship, easier to install, and easier on walls without sacrificing structural strength.

Extraordinary Detail
3D printing allows for crisper lines, deeper reliefs, and finer ornamentation than traditional casting in many cases.

Rust-Free & Weather-Resistant
Ideal for both interior and exterior applications, without corrosion concerns.

Design Freedom
No molds. No foundry limitations. This opens the door to shapes, scales, and textures that simply weren’t possible before.

“But Will It Still Look Like Iron?”

Yes, intentionally so.

Every piece is finished to preserve the heritage iron aesthetic Metropolis Iron is known for. Visually, these medallions retain the same ornate presence, depth, and architectural character that defined our cast-iron originals.

Many customers are surprised to learn the difference is in the material, not the appearance.

We often refer to this approach as:

• Iron-inspired composite

• Heritage-style iron finish

• Iron-look architectural material

Different words yet, same timeless look.

The Emotional Side of This Transition

Truthfully, this change wasn’t easy.

Cast iron was part of our identity. Each design carried history. Not just in style, but in process. Watching certain materials disappear felt like losing old friends.

But when the first new composite medallion was finished, something clicked.

It had the same presence.
The same sculptural beauty.
The same sense of intention.

Only now, it was lighter, more versatile, and free from the constraints that once limited us.

This is the next chapter for Metropolis Iron.

What This Means for Customers

• Beloved designs can continue, instead of being discontinued

• New, never-before-seen medallions are now possible

• Installation becomes easier and more flexible

• Products remain handcrafted, finished, and quality-checked

• Design integrity stays front and center

Most importantly: nothing is being “downgraded.”
The artistry remains. The standards remain. The pride remains.

Looking Ahead. What’s Coming Next!

If this transition goes well, it opens the door to an entirely new design catalog.

Medallions and architectural accents that no one else in the industry can offer.

Not mass-produced.
Not generic.
Still unmistakably Metropolis Iron.

If you’ve loved our classic designs, you’ll feel right at home with what’s coming next. If you’re new here, this is the perfect moment to discover what makes Metropolis Iron different.