Housewerks: Architectural Antiques & Salvage

Although several of my dearest friends own Housewerks, I don’t get by there as much as I used to, especially since I moved more than about a half-mile away. Over the weekend, I found myself there not just once, but twice! As much as I saw on the first visit, I found things that I’d missed when I went for the second visit.

Early 20th century steel and enamel letters.

There are dozens of cogs and wheels of all sorts. I particularly liked this sunny one.

I am particularly fascinated with these old heat registers. There are dozens of them at Housewerks, and each one is different. I’d love to do a photographic study of their graphic good looks.

This massive piece came from an old store. It has more than 80 drawers in it.

But the details are what make is special. Each drawer has a label holder, which is elegantly crafted.

I love the egg and dart trim along the top edge of the piece.

Housewerks is currently salvaging pieces from an old chocolate factory in Pennsylvania. These tubs were used to move the liquid chocolate around the factory. On the right end of this one, you can see it’s marked “fudge”.

On the second visit to Housewerks, I concentrated on looking at patterns and shapes. This is rust on an old metal desk.

Oh, the tiles! There were loads of them, each pattern better than the next. I wasn’t sure if they were mosaic or embossed, but it didn’t really matter.

How incredible is this tile pattern? Not only is each square curved, the edges of each tile are curved. I wish I had something that I could use this tile for. It’s just amazing, isn’t it?

This was salvaged from an old church. I love the timelessness of it.

This is a piece of relief in iron, but it almost looks like something from Pompeii.

I love the sculptural feeling of this old hat form. I’d put one on either side of a mantle (if I had one).

This was one of my favourite shots – just the ghost of an old wrench that someone had spray-painted.

Lots of old Anglepoise lamps.

I might have to do another post later this week to show you more of the terrific pieces of architectural antiques and salvage that I saw at Housewerks!