It seems like a minor detail, but the right house number can be an indication of something marvelous waiting on the inside–assuming the architect follows through on the tease, of course. The Montreal, Quebec-based hardware outfit Orthografica (the Spanish word for spelling) can help when the time comes to choose. Founded in 2003 by Dian Morin, Orthografica is a women-owned creative design agency that has carved out a niche market for one-of-a-kind made-to-order luxury home address products.

Specializing in house numbers, address plaques, signage and logos for residential and commercial projects, Orthografica has introduced a new collection of customized three-dimensional, cast metal house numbers that capture the essence of high design and audacious whimsy. As the firm puts it, “the collection raises the bar for modern house numbers.”

The manufacturer casts its products out of solid bronze, aluminum, brass or copper and are offered in a wide array of finishes including anodized, oxidized, brushed and polished. Numbers and plaques also can be painted and baked to match any existing architectural elements.

Two of the company’s newest products are Curves and Angles, part of the Profiles Collection. Priced at $40 per character, Angles was inspired by a trip to Spain where the company saw house numbers with a slanted profile for  the first time. The pieces measure 4 inches long, slant from 1 inch to ¼ inch. They are made from cast aluminum and have a brushed finish. Installation is a blind stud mounted with a template.

Curves, on the other hand, feature numbers with modified angles and thin, elegant lines. Made from cast bronze, characters measure 5 ¼ inches with a ½-inch depth and have a polished finish. Each character costs $25 per piece. All products are made to order.