Let me begin by saying that this won’t be my only post on the subject of “reclaiming,” “re-using,”or “re-inventing.” This subject matter is too complex and enjoyable for just one post, so let me start with something intimate and more near and dear to my heart: my worktable in my home (photo above).
Yes, my “work” table is inspiring to me, granting me moments of acute literary brilliance, alarming insights, artistic ideas and all of that. It’s where my creative life takes place, for the most part, and I get great joy from sitting at it every day, organizing things, daydreaming, drawing and sometimes just sitting. This table has character, weight, uniqueness and just plain joy. It is a big, fat baby of a table, and I adore it.
Let me tell you the story of how my special table came to be. As a Christmas present one year, my husband Robert drove us to a shop, not letting me in on the surprise until he parked our car in front of Architectural Old House Parts, located in Front Royal, about 20 minutes from Little Washington (see link at end of post). His Christmas present to me was waiting inside: the joy of personally picking out the parts for a new worktable that he was going to construct for me from “scratch.” It was a very merry Christmas to me that year.
Here are a few wonderful images of inside this great shop:
Robert knew I’ve always had a love for old architectural elements like distressed porch balustrades, hand-carved festoons, even rusty iron columns salvaged from churchyards. I’ve always wanted a table made from old house parts. This particular shop was bursting at the seams with objects “rescued” from demolition.
As we shuffled down a long hallway and into the doorway of the shop, I could see I would soon be in old-parts heaven. According to Pat Campbell, the new owner and founder of Architectural Old House Parts, their inventory changes all the time—but you can count on finding very well-organized displays of antique eave supports, porcelain enamel sinks from the 1930s, both ornate and simple fireplace mantels, tons of doors, original brass fittings, turn-of-the-century tubs and clawfoot accessories, ironwork garden gates and lots of moldings and railings. Prices range from $9.00 for a porcelain knob to $250.00 for a substantial brass lock and key. Victorian doors can go for as low $95.00, and a 1950s glass lampshade for $25.00. Very reasonable prices for these unique items.
A great aspect of this shop is that most of what is displayed is actually taken from nearby areas, within a 50-mile or so radius. These house parts were taken from soon-to-be-demolished old homes or from partially demolished homes and storefronts. Pat says that contractors often arrive at his back door, stopping on their way to the landfill to drop off items they think he would be interested in purchasing.
Now, back to my exciting Christmas shopping spree and picking out the parts to my dream work table.
I found a distressed white, seven-and-a-half-foot, solid hardwood, turn-of-the-century door. I wanted eight-foot, but none was to be found. This would do.
Next, the table legs: I got four corner newel posts that I decided could be turned upside down so the balls of the posts touched the floor. Then the table skirt: Robert decided some old hand-railings would do the trick.
Fast-forward to April of the following year, and Robert was still cutting, measuring, researching ideas and basically waiting for warmer weather so he could work in the garage. He created a wonderful "test table" for practice, one that we now use at our shop. But then warm weather came and he succeeded in putting together my dream worktable.
Because of the length and weight of the door itself, Robert decided to put together the final pieces in my workroom. Industrial bolts and other hardware were used to connect all the table features. I had called Mike’s Glass, in Orange, to custom-cut the glass top for my table. It arrived two weeks later and was a perfect fit. My guess is that this table, now with a glass top and several solid architectural elements, weighs at least 195 pounds.
According to Pat Campbell, the new owner and founder of Architectural Old House Parts, their inventory changes all the time—but you can count on finding very well-organized displays of antique eave supports, porcelain enamel sinks from the 1930s, both ornate and simple fireplace mantels, tons of doors, original brass fittings, turn-of-the-century tubs and clawfoot accessories, ironwork garden gates and lots of moldings and railings. Prices range from $9.00 for a porcelain knob to $250.00 for a substantial brass lock and key. Victorian doors can go for as low $95.00, and a 1950s glass lampshade for $25.00. Very reasonable prices for these unique items.
A great aspect of this shop is that most of what is displayed is actually taken from nearby areas, within a 50-mile or so radius. These house parts were taken from soon-to-be-demolished old homes or from partially demolished homes and storefronts. Pat says that contractors often arrive at his back door, stopping on their way to the landfill to drop off items they think he would be interested in purchasing.
Something nice to know: You can be eco-friendly and not even know it. Just re-use, re-paint, re-finish something from another era and you instantly have a great piece of furniture/lamp/archway to love and enjoy and pass along to the next generation. See this desk lamp below? Robert made it for me last year from an old railing post from a Wisconsin farmhouse and added a marble base, lamp components and linen shade. He is very creative guy.
I have, in the past, antiqued a few tables, a lamp and even an old chair. This takes lots of patience, which I am sorely lacking. I’ve always admired several of my friends who excel at it. It takes talent and time to see past a brittle piece of furniture and imagine what it could become. Hmmm, there is the beginning of another blog post, I think.
You don’t have to leave the comfort of your cozy couch to get what you need. There are a plethora of websites that cater to lovers of the show This Old House. Here are some websites that are fun, educational and worth a click-through:
OldHouseParts.net: Located in Front Royal, this is a personal favorite of mine—obviously. For Virginians, this is a must-stop for obtaining old pieces and elements for your next renovation project. Check it out.
MyKnobs.com: My friend Adrienne pointed me to this interesting website. I never knew the planet had so many historical knob designs. You’ll want to re-knob all of your cabinets, then re-knob again, just because you can. This site specializes in wonderful reproductions of vintage designs, and they have a storefront in Carle Place, New York.
BlackDogSalvage.com: This is a hopping place. These guys are located in Roanoke, and I want to go there now! Since their start in 1999, Mike Whiteside and Robert Kulp have filled a 40,000-square-foot warehouse with architectural antiques, commercial salvage and everything in between. They also sell on EBAY and have a Facebook page with loads of pictures to get your heart rate up.
Caravatis.com. Those living in Richmond are probably already familiar with this business, which has been a mainstay since 1939. Caravati’s Inc. is Virginia’s oldest supplier of architectural salvage and specializes in every aspect of old house restoration, remodeling and repair. They also have a unique and classy website. Caravati’s does fine antique restoration and carving, lighting and hardware restoration, among other things. You can also “chat” or give advice to others about anything regarding architectural salvage. They have a Facebook page, but you need to become a “friend,” not a “fan,” to see all they have to offer.
OldHouseJournal.com: This is a well-known and popular website about restoring old homes. A great resource for gaining knowledge about restoration, this site is fun to read. You can also subscribe to their colorful magazine.
HistoricHouseParts.com: This store was founded in 1980 and is located in Rochester, N.Y. They are experts in the field of architectural salvage and restoration supplies. Once you browse their enormous website, you’ll wish you could paw through this place firsthand. It is chock-a-block with everything needed to renew your home. A comprehensive yet entertaining website with lots of visuals and a great mix of antique and new restoration objects. You can learn a lot just browsing through their inventory.
Finally, one with no website: Mike’s Glass & Mirror, 13196 James Madison Hwy Route 15 South, Orange, VA 22960; 540-672-2626: Very quick, exact and clean, and they lugged the heavy 71/2-foot glass top up two flights of stairs and placed it gingerly on top of the table. I highly recommend them.
This was a fun post!
Joanie Ballard
