Salvage
February 18, 2008
A Look Back at Salvage Fest '07
We're off for the holiday today but...We just discovered this very cool new slideshow application called PictoBrowser and wanted to give it a whirl. So, in anticipation of Brooklyn Flea's imminent launch, we threw together a look at last September's Salvage Fest, our first toe-dip into this whole outdoor market thing. Most of the folks who were there—Demolition Depot, Olde Good Things, Silver Fox and Eddie's—are going to be a part of the Flea along with a whole host of others selling antiques and other old-school items. For a reasonable up-to-date but not comprehensive list, check out the side bar on the Brooklyn Flea Blog.
January 25, 2008
Today on the Forum: Salvage Edition
There are three for-sale items posted on the Forum today:
Antique Dressing Room Built-In For Sale
200 Square Feet of Red Oak Flooring for Sale
Stickley Chair for Sale: Make Me an Offer
December 17, 2007
Never-Been-Used Viking Appliances at Build It Green
The range of items you can find in the warehouse of Astoria-based Build It Green! is wide, with everything from droolworthy 19th Century moldings to modern-day hollow-core doors that would get laughed at in any House of the Day post. We scored some beautiful vintage marble there that we turned into countertops. Now, we noticed, the website is touting some brand-new viking appliances at 30 percent off. Any label-conscious kitchen renovators out there?
Viking Wine Cooler $4,299 [BigNYC]
Viking Fridge $4,399 [BigNYC]
December 11, 2007
A Thing for Radiators
Here's a guest post that a reader sent in...The cold weather is here and we are now thinking of heating our homes. Some people collect rare coins, others collect baseball cards, I collect radiators. How crazy is that?! I bought my brownstone 10 years ago, it was built in 1910 and I remembered being really bothered by the plain radiators it had. This was the time when plain Edwardian style was in and the ornamental Victorian radiators were out. So I said the heck with it and started searching for interesting ornamental radiators, restoring them and installing them in our house. I remember thinking, "it's a large functional object in my space, so it should be attractive". The variety of style in the castings I find really interesting. Some of the designs look like stylized flames and clouds of steam. They breathe and hiss with such personality too. One of the earliest ones I have has a lace shelf on top and has a stamping on it that reads J.R. Reed's Patent April 9. 1878. Another one has a floral design from the American Radiator Co. It has a humidifier that works really well. My cat loves to drink from it for some strange reason. Recently I found one of the rarest examples in a ghost town in PA. It sat in an old bar that hasn't been in use for 70 years. This odd radiator has a built in warming oven that works much like a hot plate keeping food warm. It was made for fancy dining rooms at the turn of the century. It works surprisingly well, just yesterday it kept a cup of coffee warm at 110 degrees.
December 10, 2007
303 Park Pl: If You Don't Like Old Houses, Don't Buy One!
You'd think that people who have no appreciation for older architecture could find a house that's already missing its original details when it comes time for them to buy something. Instead, some people (like the new owners of 303 Park Place) buy a gorgeous historic home and proceed to strip it to the bone. Here's what the Craigslist ad (which expired over the weekend) said:
Due to remodeling of a 100-year old Prospect Heights 1-family brownstone, we are offering selected antique Victorian architectural items. This is a one-time chance to improve your home with gorgeous authentic details that are seldom on the market. Items include Victorian oak fireplace mantels, redwood staircase complete with 3 stair runs, curving railings, balusters, Tiffany-style stained glass window panels, Victorian solid gingerbread entrance doors, antique tin ceiling tiles, ornate glass ceiling chandeliers, hinges and doorknobs and more.
Can any neighbors let us know what the couple plans to do with this place? Ugh.
House of the Day: 303 Park Place [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark
Victorian Antique Architectural Items [Craigslist]
September 10, 2007
Soaking Up Some Salvage at the Fest
At Saturday's Salvage Fest, the sun was shining (a little too hard but we can't complain), most of the dealers showed up on time and attendees (some of whom came from as far as Chicago) showed up in droves, some with measuring tapes in hand, to see what all the fuss was about. Thanks to everyone who made the effort to come and helped make it a special day for us. (We particulaly enjoyed getting a chance to meet so many readers!) In addition, a special thanks to Principal Wrighton, Amy Oztan from the PTA and Councilwoman James for helping to make the event possible. And, of course, a big shout-out to all the dealers (listed on the jump) who took a chance on a first-time event. It's safe to say we'll be doing more of this type of event in the future. Lots of photos in the Flickr set on the link; or view as a slideshow here.
Salvage Fest Photo Set [Flickr]
September 7, 2007
Salvage Fest 2007: 20 Hours and Counting
We're looking forward to meeting lots of you tomorrow at the Salvage Fest--we'll be the unshaven guy sporting the new Brownstoner t-shirt. As we've been telling you all week, the First Annual Salvage Fest takes place Saturday from 10 to 4 at P.S. 11 in Clinton Hill. It's a great chance to find that perfect doorknob as well as to talk to vendors about tracking down hard-to-find items; one of the salvagers will also have samples of reclaimed flooring on display. And don't forget to drop off any old building materials that have been gathering dust in your basement. The schoolyard is located on Washington Avenue between Gates and Greene; the closest subway stops are the Clinton/Washington C train and the Clinton or Classon stops on the G train. Weather forecast looks good (knock on wood), but if it looks shaky in the morning, check in here for scheduling updates. See you there! GMAP
September 6, 2007
Salvage Fest 2007: Two Days and Counting!
While we continue to keep our fingers crossed that the weather gods will smile upon us on Saturday, here are a few updates on our First Annual Salvage Fest which will take place from 10 to 4 at P.S. 11 in Clinton Hill. First off, in addition to the stable of vendors we've listed here, we got an 11th-hour entry from Albany-based Silver Fox. Another reason to stop by: The kids from P.S. 11 will be selling a wide range of food and drinks to raise money for the school. Lastly, we'll throw out another reminder that Build It Green will be collecting building-supply donations at the Salvage Fest as well, so bring your stuff on down. For those who need directions, check out the the Google map link; the closest subway stops are the Clinton/Washington C train and the Clinton or Classon stops on the G train. GMAP
September 5, 2007
Brownstoner's First Annual Salvage Fest on Saturday!
The countdown begins: Three more days until Salvage Fest 2007! On Saturday, September 8 (September 9 if it's raining), all the architectural salvage dealers in the New York City area will be coming together in the school yard of PS 11 in Clinton Hill (at Washington and Greene Avenues) from 10 am to 4 pm to serve up a delicious array of old building parts, fixtures and lighting. Who will be there? Williamsburg's own Moon River Chattel, Chelsea's (by way of Scranton) Olde Good Things, Harlem's Demolition Depot, Astoria's Build It Green, Clinton Hill's Eddie's Salvage, and Bed Stuy's Reclaimed Home; Philly-based Old Soul Architectural Salvage and Virginia-based Architectural Salvage News will also be in the house. In addition, Build It Green will have a drop-off station for recycling any odd building materials you may have lying around so bring over that box of tiles that's been taking up space in your basement since you finished you bathroom renovation five years ago! Unfortunately, there will not be any way for individuals to sell there own pieces of architectural salvage. Admission is free—as are Brownstoner bumper stickers for the first 100 people to show up. Any last-minute requests for items?
August 29, 2007
Salvage Fest Just Ten Days Away
As we've mentioned a couple of times already, the First Annual Brownstoner Salvage Fest will take place on Saturday, September 8 (September 9 if it's raining) in the school yard at PS 11 in Clinton Hill from 10 am to 4 pm. The yard is located on Washington Avenue between Gates and Greene; take either the C to Clinton/Washington or G to Clinton. All the major dealers in the area will be there: Moon River Chattel, Olde Good Things, Demolition Depot, Black Dog Salvage, Build It Green, Eddie's, Old Soul Architectural Salvage and Reclaimed Home. There will be something for everyone—doorknobs, lighting, flooring, doors, etc.—so please come check it out. In addition, Build It Green will have a drop-off station for recycling any odd building materials you may have lying around. Admission is free—as are Brownstoner bumper stickers for the first 100 people to show up.