the happy living Blog

architectural salvage i.e. glamorous trash picking

My dad is the world's best trash picker.  Besides my Hot Wheels tricycle, my first three bikes came from the trash.  If I need to find something for a project at home, like window sashes or old shutters he will get them for me.  He must have perfect 180 degree periferal vision when he drives. 

Luckily we don't always have to have a professional trash picker in the family or wait for a neighbor to discard that perfect cast iron sink.  Architectural salvage is a huge business and the selection of items available gets better all the time.  Unfortunately people have begun to recognize the value in the old and that old door or toilet is not always as cheap as it used to be but you can still find great pieces at reasonable prices.

Of course there is always ebay and craigslist.  I find that they both require more time to sort through all the junk.  It boggles my mind the stuff people will list on there for sale and if you try to do too detailed of a search you risk filtering out something good.  Also, I enjoy being able to look at something in person before I buy whenever I can.  That is why architectural salvage yards and shops are great.

Don't you just love that sink?!  Only $450 from Restore. (pic from Restore)

Here's a list of salvage shops and what they specialize in (where available):

Provenance Architectural Salvage: Architectural Salvage from some of Philly's most historic landmarks.  Philadelphia

Second Chance Inc: "We rescue the wood, metal, marble, plaster, stone and other architectural elements that make the building special. We give these pieces new lives, in new homes, in new ways, with new uses." Baltimore, Philadelphia and DC

Portland Salvage: has four floors of architectural pieces, reusable building materials, tools, fixtures, collectibles and antique period materials.  Portlant, ME

Old House Parts Company: Our focus is on 18'th, 19'th and early 20'th century restoration and home improvement Architectural Salvage and Architectural Antiques like french doors, antique windows, antique doors and other architectural salvage for exterior and interior design.  Kennebunk, ME

Nor'East Architectural Salvage Antiques: We stock an extensive inventory of architectural salvage and antique building materials from 1700-1940.  South Hampton, NH

Architectural Antiques: Mantles, bars, doors, antique beds, mirrors, paneled rooms, ironwork, stained glass, lighting.  Philadelphia

Ohmega Salvage: At Ohmega Salvage we are committed to preserving the architectural heritage of the Bay Area. To this end, we buy and sell usual and unusual building materials.  Berkeley, CA

Architectural Salvage, Inc.: Doors,hardware, plumbing fixtures, mantels, lighting and more. Denver, CO

Architectural Antiques (the Original):  High quality stuff! and they take the extra step to help you integrate your item into your space. 

Salvage One: Everything from Andirons to Wrought Iron.  Chicago

Architectural Accents: All the usual including fired tile, columns and garden items.  Atlanta

The Demolition Depot:  This is a personal favorite.  I am on their site all the time.  A unique source of vintage plumbing fixtures, doors, windows, shutters, railings, gates, grills, mantels, stone and terracotta pieces, religious objects and so much more. NYC

Frank's Demolition Salvage: architectural antiques and building materials such as granite, marble steps, cast iron radiators, ashlar (stone), brownstone, bluestone, keystones, distressed bricks, field stones.  Woodlyn, PA

Olde Good Things: locations in Manhattan (2 actually), Los Angeles and Scranton, PA

ReStore: A Philly favorite, they have plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, hardware, mantels, doors stairwell parts, iron fencing, cast iron ornaments, marble, stone, slate and tile.  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reinvent!  Philadelphia

Sylvan Brandt: a specialist in resawn and antique flooring, they also carry beams, doors and other architectural elements.  Lititz, PA (PA Dutch Country!)

This is by no means an exhaustive list.  These are just some of my favorites, some local and others not, places I have actually been to, or know a little about.  If you have a favorite salvage shop near you please comment about it!

reduce : reuse : recycle : reinvent

happy trash picking!

pure jane cumberbatch

I think Jane Cumberbatch's Pure Style Living was the first shelter-home-decorating-style-living book that I ever purchased.  Prior to that is was ALL architecture for me.  I love her philosophy of living, stylish yet simple.  Her "DNA of Pure Style" is "Romantic, inexpensive, natural, simple spaces, fuctional, easy feasts, homemade, thrifty, timeless, cool, country, family, going green, modern..."  All words and feelings I want reflected in my home.  Here are some of my favorite images from the book.  BTW, all the images are by Pia Tryde.

Enjoy!

noshii and the new website

There is just something about her work...it makes my heart skip a beat.  And she has a gorgeous new website.  I love, love, love the stitching graphic around the images!

London born, Dallas based designer, illustrator and visual artist, Nosheen Iqbal : website : blog : shop

quilts and miniature quilts

Ever since I was in architecture school I have been mildly obsessed with quilts.  My family is not a quilting family.  We are great sewers, seamstresses and pattern makers, but unfortunately I don't know a single quilt was ever made on either side.  My whole thesis project in my last year of school was based on the idea of the quilt as the journal of the family and how the house also became a record of the family.  I made these paper quilts early on.  It combined my obsession with quilts and paper into one activity.  I was lucky to marry INTO a quilt-making family and we have two quilts handmade by the boy's granny and aunt.  But enough about me.

I was at the Traditional Home Show this year and came across Kate Adams' miniature quilts.  Oh my.  They are gorgeous.  And really mini!  The designs and detail are amazing.  You should check them out.  She has a great gallery of larger and small quilts, patriotic designs, samplers and Amish patterns.  These below are either 9 inches by 9 inches or 7 inches by 9 inches.  Enjoy!

The Sky Isn't Visible from Here

I recently read Felicia's book The Sky Isn't Visible from Here.  It is the only book that I have actually started and finished in less than a week since we went to Europe last September.

There is a quote from another author (Janice Erlbaum) on the book jacket about Sky that says "This book will break your heart, and make it stronger."  I am not an eloquent or accomplished writer and cannot think of a more perfect way describe Felicia's book.  It is a wonderous thing that we as people can endure so much and yet still find a way to a better place.  It (she) is a testament to the resilience of the human mind and heart, I think.

a new blog :: Dear Cottage Living

"Great curb appeal is not about the size or style of your home, but making the most of what you already have."

Have any questions about or need help with suggestions on your home's curb appeal?  Write to architect Hoyte Johnson and Cottage Living editor Rex Perry at the new blog at Cottage Living.  Or just have fun checking out sweet cottages.

Turkey Hill

I am doing what many other bloggers are doing, that is signing off for the weekend.  Before I leave I wanted to point you over here.  It is a photo tour of Martha Stewart's Turkey Hill farmstead that she owned for over 30 years.

It is a beautiful example of a classic 5-bay New England or Connecticut style farmhouse and hope that it was sold to someone who will really appreciate it as she did.  Another reason I love this, is because from everything I have ever read or heard about Turkey Hill I get the impression that this house and property really transformed over time, with small and big changes throughout the 30 years to make it into the Turkey Hill we all know today.  And I just love that drapware grey color of the trim and siding.

billy buttons

I can't remember when I first saw Billy Buttons.  It may have been on a family trip to Arizona.  In addition to Tulips and Ranunculus, Billy Buttons are another of my all-time favorite flowers, dried and fresh.  Sometimes called Billy Balls or Woollyheads and by their proper name Craspedia, their appeal to me is obviously in their color (yellow is my favorite) but also in their simplicity.  They are popping up all over the place, which only confirms their universal appeal.  Now that we are in our 'long-term' house I am even more motivated to make a point to try to grow all of my favorite plants and flowers so I bought some Billy Button seeds yesterday.  Fingers crossed!

1. Billy Balls2, 2. craspedia billy button, 3. [Asteraceae] Craspedia maxgrayi Everett et Joy Thomps. 04.08.2004, 4. Craspedia pleiocephala, 5. Craspedia, 6. The faucet and backsplash, 7. Craspedia-Billy-button, 8. yellow buds, 9. Yellow Ball Flowers

Lotta Jansdotter fabrics...

They are now available online.  This is the event of the month, well maybe the year.  Hold me back.

Susan Serra brings us Hansen Kitchen Furniture

In case you have not already heard, the lovely Susan Serra of The Kitchen Designer blog is bringing Hansen Kitchen Furniture to the States.  Knud Kapper is an architect of buildings and yes, of kitchen and bath furniture.  Go to his gorgeous website if you want more info.  I have firmly decided that this is what the boy and I will have in our kitchen (we're talking about in the 10-year plan, now) once we renovate.  Nothing else.