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August 9, 2007
Brownstoner's First Annual Salvage Fest
Many readers by now are aware of what big proponents we are of incorporating architectural salvage into renovations. We used salvaged flooring, marble and moldings all over our house and think it helped maintain the historic look and feel while saving a little money and doing something good for the environment. There are several great salvage dealers in the New York area but we suspect many people haven't had a chance to go check them all out. So we decided to get them all together for a day in one place for something we're calling Salvage Fest. On Saturday, September 8 (rain date: September 9), the folks from Moon River Chattel, Olde Good Things, Demolition Depot, Black Dog Salvage, Build It Green and Eddie's will set up shop for the day in the playground at PS 11 in Clinton Hill (it's the smaller lot on Washington between Gates and Greene); the publisher of the Architectural Salvage News will also have a table there. (There's still room for a couple of more vendors if anyone's interested.) We will also have a recycling station set up with Build It Green for people to drop off old building materials that are gathering dust in their cellars. We'd like to have some educational/demonstration components, too, so let us know your ideas. Lastly, to help the dealers decide what to bring, please use the comments section below to describe any items you're looking for (from general things like victorian sconces to specific sizes and types of hardware.) This is a work-in-progress, so all ideas are welcome—as are any volunteers to help with set-up or recycling.
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Comments
we're on the lookout for some really unusual light fittings. Some industrial-looking light fittings for the common areas of our building. And some cool retro garden furniture.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 9, 2007 10:37 AM
fantastic idea!
Posted by: anon at August 9, 2007 10:44 AM
What a phenomenal idea! Looking forward to making my 1st trip into Clinton Hill for this event :)
Posted by: tag482 at August 9, 2007 10:45 AM
Chandeliers please.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 9, 2007 10:52 AM
Brownstoner, could you post the street address and cross street of PS 11 please?
Posted by: Jen KG at August 9, 2007 10:53 AM
We're looking for bargains. It is such a total bummer when stuff that's cool, old, but undeniably beat-up is INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE. And the last time I remember "salvage" feeling like a bargain was about 20 years ago. (Anybody remember a place in CT called "the junkyard with a personality"? They even had an old horse-drawn hearse...now that'd be a cool loft accessory...)
Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at August 9, 2007 10:54 AM
front doors!
Posted by: Jeremy at August 9, 2007 11:01 AM
This is awesome. I will check my sched to see if I can volunteer.
Posted by: mikki at August 9, 2007 11:04 AM
Cool idea. Proceeds to benefit...? Assuming there's a charity component since you're asking for volunteers.
Posted by: slopion at August 9, 2007 11:07 AM
The school is receiving a portion of what vendors are paying and Build It Green, a non-profit, will benefit from the proceeds of reselling the recycled building materials. If we're lucky, we'll make a few hundred bucks. It ain't about the money, believe us.
Posted by: Brownstoner at August 9, 2007 11:30 AM
This IS a great idea. Should be interesting to compare Eddie's prices to Olde Goode Things!!
I have a few radiators I'm looking to unload, and found leaving it in the front yard is a great way to dispose -- somehow, people find their way to them.
Posted by: North Sleeper at August 9, 2007 11:38 AM
P.S. 11 is on Washington Ave bordered by Greene Ave and Gates Ave.You can't miss it. Only school on the block.
Posted by: marjorie at August 9, 2007 11:58 AM
I meant cross streets are Greene Ave and Gates Ave.
Posted by: marjorie at August 9, 2007 11:59 AM
Great idea! I'm looking forward to it. This should be fun.
I'm with Brenda on the prices. If salvage items, especially those with no particular provenance or pedigree, are ridiculously expensive - your event will be like going to an interesting museum. I know you can't control what vendors sell their wares for, but if you have any influence at all, please get them to bring a mixture of goods at different price points. The lower, the better. They will sell like hotcakes, and maybe they will be able to sell a few high priced items as well.
What are your vendor spaces renting for, and what are your requirements? Will you have a table for other non profit organizations to leave flyers or information for upcoming events?
Posted by: Brower Park at August 9, 2007 12:27 PM
Fun! I may be able to volunteer.
Posted by: lesterhead at August 9, 2007 12:55 PM
Brenda,
I remember the "remember a place in CT called "the junkyard with a personality" very well. It was called United Housewreckers, in Stamford CT--a place that had some great stuff and was always entertaining to visit. I think they still have a newer indoor location, but their original multi-acre place has long since (I think) been replaced with office buildings.
FWIW most everything we bought there was a new repro--we just couldn't find the right old stuff.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at August 9, 2007 12:58 PM
This is a much needed idea--a farmer's market for home renovators. We are looking for salvaged marble that can be used for a kitchen countertop (preferably white). We don't expect a vendor to haul large chunks of marble all the way to Brooklyn for this event, but if they have samples or pictures that would be really helpful. We would bring specs (sizes, etc.) and look forward to finding out who may have what we need.
Posted by: jp at August 9, 2007 1:25 PM
This is a fab idea. Can we bring stuff to sell without buying a space? I have an inappropriate parlor screen that I want to remove and usher into a nice home.
Posted by: bob999 at August 9, 2007 1:54 PM
Sounds like a fabulous idea. I too would love to find bargains. I mean I can go to the store for same stuff at the same prices. Hopefully the side by side comparison of items will drive the prices down a bit.
Im renoing a 120 year old house on the UWS. I'd love to see things like door knobs, bin pulls, bronze bath and kitchen faucets, ooooh and tile samples. Theses stores always say that they display only a few samples of what they actually have. BRING A LOT OF SAMPLES.
How exciting!
Posted by: h at August 9, 2007 2:16 PM
Fixed metal ladder, like the kind you'd have for roof access or as a fire escape. I'm looking for one that is 11' long with the mounting braces.
Posted by: E10 at August 9, 2007 2:26 PM
I want new/old front doors too.
Posted by: anon at August 9, 2007 2:36 PM
We have a really old black wrought iron fence - it goes around the perimeter of our house - that we don't want anymore. It needs to be stripped and painted, but the detail on it is quite spectacular -think gothic graveyard - it's just not our taste. Does anyone want it? We are giving it away for free - you would just have to arrange to have it removed.
Posted by: jcr at August 9, 2007 2:58 PM
Interior doors, moldings, shutters, stair spindles, and mantels
Posted by: anon at August 9, 2007 3:02 PM
Nice to see the school getting a piece of the action. Win-win-win. Great idea, though don't know if I will make it. Good luck!
Posted by: slopion at August 9, 2007 3:18 PM
Salvaged butcher block (or wood to make it) for a kitchen island counter top. Wood mantels. Metal hooks and metal supports for wood shelves.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 9, 2007 4:01 PM
JCR, do you have photos? I may be able to use it!
Mr B, I sent an email inquiring about renting a space. Just want to make sure it didn't get lost. I signed it aka Yente. Maybe you can have some online info and registration so you don't have to respond to every nut job who emails you (like me)?
BP, you're involved with preservation, right?
Posted by: Yente at August 9, 2007 4:11 PM
Yente - I don't have a warehouse full of stuff, only because I can't afford to buy it, or store it. Oh, if only... I love this stuff!
I do believe in using salvage as both a functional and decorative element. That said, I have, ahem, collected a few things I need to get rid of, so if Mr. B's rates are reasonable, I may get a table, or be more than happy to share a space with you or anyone else. Let's see what Mr. B has to say, and we'll talk.
Posted by: Brower Park at August 9, 2007 4:59 PM
Dear JCR
We could put your fence to really good use!!!
I need to replace the fence in front of my house.
And I can remove it quckly.
Pictures if you have them would be great.
No worries if you dont.
You can reach me at dogheart7 at macconnect.com
change the at to @
THANKS
Posted by: Anonymous at August 9, 2007 5:22 PM
brower park,
shoot us an email...
Posted by: Brownstoner at August 9, 2007 5:43 PM
I don't know about those other places, but I think if Moonriver Chattel is involved you can assume it is going to be expensive.
Posted by: anonymous at August 9, 2007 7:58 PM
Great idea! I'm looking for garden ornaments but the items original intended use may not have been for a garden. Ex. Wrought iron gates that I might be able to use as a trellis, exterior building ornament that may be fashioned into a fountain, etc..
Posted by: Anonymous at August 9, 2007 10:38 PM
Brower, if you hear back from BStoner, can you please fill me in on the details? I haven't gotten a response yet. He seems to like you better. ;) chutzpah8888@yahoo.com
Thanks!
Posted by: Yente at August 9, 2007 11:09 PM
Oh hell. I was hoping people like me - who have a cellar full of doors, lighting fixtures and iron fireplace grates - could rent a table and sell stuff too. I guess I'll just have a stoop sale that day and undercut the competition!
Is there a way for old junk hounds like us to clear out the cellar and get some dough for accumlated salvage too?
Posted by: Anonymous at August 10, 2007 9:23 AM
9:23 - I believe that is a possibility, especially if you have that much stuff. Send Mr. B an e-mail (brownstoner@brownstoner.com) and ask for details.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 10, 2007 9:37 AM
We'd like staircase spindles!
Thanks.
Posted by: Kate at August 16, 2007 10:27 AM
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