| Renovator's Paradise: Architectural Salvage in New England |
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Each year it seems the Do-It-Yourself movement for home repairs and improvements gets larger and more prominent. Home Depot's and Lowe's seem to pop up on street corners like Starbuck's these days. If these mega-stores are not your cup of tea, try driving up the coast of Southern Maine and stopping in on two locations: The Old House Parts Company and Portland Architectural Salvage . Renovators and Do-It-Yourselfer's will be so glad they made the trip.
The Old House Parts Company is located Kennebunk, Maine in an old 1872 freight warehouse. The architectural salvage store keeps up regular stocks of paneling, doors, windows, moldings, fireplace mantels, lighting fixture, brass plumbing features and other assorted cabinetry --- all antique. Third generation woodworker Tom Joyle is the OHP Company President and his long tradition of skilled artisanship is clearly reflected in the pieces he chooses to salvage and rehabilitate. The Old House Parts Company is a jewel in the architectual salvage world and a great weekend destination from Boston or New York. Also, not to be missed on your weekend of restoration is the Portland Architectural Salvage store on Preble Street in Portland, Maine. Portland Architectural Salvage offers urban chic pieces blended with a true coastal antique past. Deco pieces are intermixed with Victorian architectural discoveries at this warehouse located seconds off I-295 in Portland. Also available are select restoration quality hardware and accesories. The restored mattress factory now housing Portland Architectural Salvage is in excess of 20,000 square feet and contains 4 floors of inventory to peruse, all well organized and accessible. |
