Do you find yourself lamenting that buildings aren’t built like they used to be? It’s possible to recreate the charm and character of yesterday, literally. Check out these sources for reclaimed architectural elements such as wood flooring, trim, and even plumbing fixtures.
Reclaimed Woods
One of the most popular architectural salvage products is timber. Wood from old homes, barns, fences and even wine barrels may be reclaimed and made into wide plank floors, shelving, cabinetry or siding.
Terra Mai reclaimed wood, 1 Hotel and Residences by Sienna Architecture
- Elmwood Reclaimed Timber (Kansas City, MO)
- Terra Mai (Mt. Shasta, CA)
- Vintage Timberworks (Temecula, CA)
- Re-use Hawai’i (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Windows and Glazing
Although today’s windows and doors are much more energy efficient than their older counterparts, they don’t compare to the beauty of wavy leaded glass or stained glass.
- Old House Parts (Kennebunk, ME)
- Albion Doors and Windows (Albion, CA)
- Amighini Architectural (Corona del Mar, CA
Antique Hardware and Lighting
Invest in the details that will give your home a finished look. Purchase antique hardware to adorn your doors or cabinets, or install period lighting to add warmth to an otherwise modern interior.
Brass Plated Iron Hinge circa late 1800s from Rejuvenation
- Rejuvenation (Portland, OR and Seattle, WA)
- Eugenia’s Antique Hardware (Chamblee, GA)
- Classic Home Hardware (Canton, CT)
Specialty Trim and Mantels
Though you can still purchase trim pieces like crown molding and picture rails, original, reclaimed trim often features more complex profiles than those available on the market today. A reclaimed fireplace mantel is well worth the investment as it will become the focal point of a room.
- Southern Accents (Cullman, AL)
- Architectural Antiques Exchange (Philadelphia, PA)
- Columbus Architectural Salvage (Columbus, OH)
Wrought Iron
Ornate, black wrought iron calls to mind the sleepy streets of New Orleans or Savannah. Add a little Southern charm to your home in the form of a porch or or stair railing, or use a decorative piece as your headboard.
- Vintage Studios (Durham, NC)
- Recycling the Past (Barnegat, NJ)
- Black Dog Architectural Salvage (Roanoke, VA)
Plumbing Fixtures
If you’re in the market for a clawfoot tub or pedestal sink, why not go authentic? Forget breakable porcelain, they used to make plumbing fixtures out of cast iron coated with enamel.
Antique bathtub from Vintage Plumbing
- Bathroom Machineries (Murphys, CA)
- Vintage Plumbing (Los Angeles, CA)
- Vintage Bathroom (Buffalo, NY)
Tips for Finding Reclaimed Architectural Elements
The sources we’ve listed above are great places to start, but they are by no means your only option when it comes to vintage and antique adornment. Visit a local architectural salvage yard to peruse the treasures firsthand. Craigslist and eBay are also great sources if you enjoy the thrill of competition.
Once you find reclaimed architectural elements that interest you, ask the seller plenty of questions on the origins and do your research to determine if they are, in fact, legitimate. Many companies sell antique reproductions, so be clear that you’re looking to purchase an original. If you’re prepared to invest a little elbow grease to remove old paint or other signs of time, you might get a really good deal.
Article by Murrye Bernard LEED AP
Murrye Bernard holds a Bachelor of Architecture, is a LEED Accredited Professional and has worked in architecture firms on a range of building types. She left the drafting board, or rather CAD station, to pursue her true passion: writing—about architecture. A native of the South, Murrye’s perception of space, color and texture was undoubtedly shaped by the humid backdrop of cotton fields and deteriorating downtowns. Now she calls the Brooklyn waterfront home. Her work has been published extensively on the web and in print, including Architectural Record, Eco-Structure and Architectural Lighting.
has written 23 awesome articles for Alluminare.
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