From the article: Architectural Salvage : What You Need To Know
Some of the most amazing building parts can't be found at your local home improvement store. For antique doorknobs, Victorian stained glass, or heavy oak doors (the kind they used to make), you need to pick through construction debris, scour garage sales, or take a trip to an architectural salvage center. And, oh the discoveries you can make!
Have you ever used architectural salvage? What's your favorite find? Where did you make the discovery? How are you using your find?
Crates
- Several years ago, a house I was renting had a big greenhouse in the backyard. One day I was poking around there and found two old but sturdy wooden crates. They were a little rough but had character--and great promise. After dusting them off, I used them as a combination bookshelf/end table. Then, years later, I used one as a nightstand and the other as a telephone stand. Not only did the crates save me $$, they also added character to the room. In fact, several people asked where they could buy these unique "tables."
- —Guest beevee
Ceramic Tile
- I was fixing a shelf in my bathroom and wanted to find tile that would coordinate with the tiles on my floor. I looked everywhere! Home Depot did have reproduction octagon-shaped tiles, but they just didn't have that "old fashioned" appearance. Then another homeowner posted a message on our neighborhood listserv. She was renovating her bathroom and was throwing away... OLD TILE! I went to look at her "trash," and it was exactly what I needed.
- —Guest Magpie
