March 5, 2013

Housewerks: Part II

There are just so many fascinating pieces of architectural antiques and architectural salvage, that I had to do two posts just to scratch the surface of the images I shot at Housewerks over the weekend. To me, there’s nothing more entertaining than poking through old things, looking for that certain treasure.

Seriously, I am just mad about Housewerks!

HDW2 (6)

Perhaps not every single thing they have. For instance, I can’t really see anyplace in my house that I’d want an embalming table!HDW2 (24)

We had a great time speculating about whether this elevator car would be big enough to use for a powder room. And then we decided it would.HWD (3)

David, from McLain-Wiesand and Ben Riddleberger, owner of Housewerks chat about the meaning of lifeHWD (13)

I took loads of pictures of patterns, like these pieces of industrial marking chalk

There are great cogs and wheels everywhere.

I loved this old red-painted table,

and its incredible patina, which came about after years of hard use.

I thought this would look great over a bed, but it’s cast iron and weighs a TON!

These are the backplates for a fireplace, and they help reflect the heat into the room.

Their detail is just beautiful and so intricate.

This is a huge piece of copper fireplace surround and it is just perfection!

I love the old-fashioned dolphins, They have the funniest faces and the most fanciful tails.

If you’re ever in Baltimore, I heartily recommend spending a few hours at Housewerks. It’s such a unique place.

6 comments:

  1. Actually, if the drain were fitted with a removable screen to catch washed-off soil, etc., the embalming sink would probably be wonderful as a potting station in a garden -- although perhaps still a little macabre.

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  2. I was thinking the same thing as Cindy...a conversation piece for sure. Love the red table with its years of wear and the copper scroll fireplace surround.

    Love and Hugs

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  3. Thanks for reminding me about Housewerks. I cannot wait to go this weekend.

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  4. I love all your choices, and am jealous that you can go there so easily.

    Once we went to an antique store converted from a funeral home (in turn converted from an old house). In the basement, among odds and ends, were the original embalming tables, much like the one you show--pretty creepy!

    My favorite today is perhaps the iron pediment--perhaps for a garden?
    --Road to Parnassus

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  5. I'm going to have to make the trek from NoVa one day soon. I love poking around Lucketts, Va for the same reason, though the last time I was there they didn't have anything nearly as interesting as Houswerks.

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  6. The embalming sink for a garden shed would be heaven, you certianly wouldn't have to tell what it was orignally, make up a story. Wish I lived closer they would get my business. Love all this stuff. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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