Surfing for Salvage: How to Find Hidden Treasures Online
From:
el
190 days 14 hours 36 minutes ago
If you’re a junky for funky furniture and old-school light fixtures, you’re going to love shopping online for architectural salvage. That includes everything from Art Deco doorknobs to antique pillars, all of which have been rescued from old commercial or residential buildings and are being sold to the vintage-loving public. —Natalie Ermann Russell
“Salvage pieces are a nice way to individualize a space and add a little charm,” says Brian Coleman, author of
Extraordinary Interiors: Decorating with Architectural Salvage and Antiques (Gibbs Smith; $39.95). “And you can always find a great deal because many people don't have the vision for what salvage can be. For example, who really wants chipped, old spindles from a staircase? Unless, that is, you can envision them transformed into candlesticks with a worn and graceful patina.” Coleman also says that items online are often mislabeled or misidentified, which can be a boon for you. And, of course, don’t be afraid to negotiate. “Part of the attraction of salvage,” he says, “is the treasure hunt and bargaining.”
Start by browsing on a few of the sites to get a sense of what’s out there. And if you can’t find exactly what you want on the web, call the shop to ask for photos of similar items in your price range—the inventory is usually much greater than what appears online. Coleman does advise against buying bigger, more expensive pieces—a clawfoot tub, say—without seeing them in person first.
Here, a few salvage spots to get you started:
RECYCLING THE PASTOnline at:
recyclingthepast.comIn person at: Barnegat, NJ
How to buy: Call to purchase with credit card.
Antique Carnegie Mellon Frieze available at RTP
AURORA MILLSOnline at:
auroramills.comIn person at: Aurora, Oregon
How to buy: Click on item to put it in a “query” cart, after which Aurora Mills will contact you to confirm price and availability.
Metal letters from Arora Mills
ARCHITECTURAL ARTIFACTSOnline information only at:
architectural-artifacts.comIn person at: Denver, CO
How to buy: Online with paypal
SECOND CHANCE INCOnline at:
secondchanceinc.orgIn person at: Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
