September 26, 2009

Treasure Hunt: Part 2

About 10 years ago, a friend asked me to help set up an architectural salvage non-profit. We got the non-profit status pretty quickly and then spent the next year or two gathering inventory. We’d go into buildings that were about to be torn down and take the interesting elements out of them. We opened to the public on a dismal February morning and had more than 600 people come through our warehouses. 9-25 048

When I returned from the UK, the philosophy of the place had changed dramatically, so I severed all ties to it, and I haven’t been back. Until yesterday. 9-25 042Since it’s just a few blocks from Housewerks, we headed over to Second Chance to check it out. About a quarter of the space is dedicated to architectural salvage and hardware, while the rest is consigned furniture, artwork, lighting, china, glass and window treatments. 9-25 068Some things are very nice, but others are quite hideous. We had to laugh to see these faux painted sinks and counters. There were several of these scattered around the warehouse. 9-25 065There are several warehouses in this compound, including one with kitchen and bathroom components. You could spend an entire day walking through the warehouses and still not see everything.   9-25 075

This is an old fireplace surround rescued from a local university’s renovation job.9-25 083I love the nautilus shell back of this iron garden furniture.9-25 084There are shelves of claw feet from old bathtubs. We would flip these and mount them on a wall as candle sconces.9-25 045This was from one of the first big jobs we did. It was the cornerstone of an arch over a large decorative door. We used here as our logo on all of our early marketing materials. She was my girl. 9-25 043

13 comments:

  1. These pics of 2nd Chance look great. I didn't take any there. It is definitely the place to go if you're looking for shutters - I'll have to remember that. Hope you're having a great weekend. Michele

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  2. You couldn't just nip back and secure that set of garden furniture for me, could ya? Pretty please with sprinkles on top!

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  3. We went to Second Chance back in the winter. Interesting place. I can't remember what we were hunting for, but we struck out.

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  4. Greetings! Happy to have found you through My Notting Hill. I love your blog, and look forward to many return visits.
    Cheers and Happy Weekend!

    Marjorie

    P.S. Are you an antiquarian bookseller too?

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  5. I love the fireplace! It looks so French. It would be terrific in a restaurant or bar to add a wonderful ambience.

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  6. Notting Hill... you all were too busy checking everything, so I am not surprised you didn't get any pix. I was pretty snap happy!

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  7. House! Isn't that furniture great? I seem to remember it wasn't too expensive. I am happy to get it and then deliver it to you. xo

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  8. Kathleen... it's hard not to find anything in there! it's a massive space.

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  9. Chemin...not a book dealer, just a book lover! got some great ones today.

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  10. French... I would have loved to see the fireplace in situ!

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  11. What a great place you started. The shelves of bath tub feet are fab, I make wall sconces out of them.

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  12. It must have been wonderful to build that business. I'm sorry you had to leave.

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  13. RT... it nearly killed me to walk away.

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