Luckily soon after my initial sticker shock at the home construction stores, someone told me about Recycled Building Materials. Since us creative people LOVE to dig through junk and create beautiful items out of nothing ... I couldn't wait to find a local place and check it out. We have Construction Junction here in Pittsburgh. They sell (cheap) brand new construction items that are leftovers from a job, and reusable materials taken out of homes and buildings before being torn down. I visit at least once a month just to browse and see what's new. I have bought old glass door knobs, skeleton keys, wooden window frames, copper ceiling tile, ceramic tile, stone, brand new solid wood doors, a retro dining booth, antiques, and much more.
For each item I brought home, I saw new life in it. Some of the old paneled wooden windows I've made into picture frames. I kept them shabby chic because that gives them character and distinction. I hung the solid wood doors and used the old glass & copper doorknobs ... what a unique touch! After shining them up they look brand new and so different from the common doorknobs you can buy today. I stripped layers and layers of paint off of antiques ... to discover an absolutely beautiful piece of furniture hidden underneath.
For all you creative types, I urge you to visit your local Recycled Building Center and see what treasures await. It's the things that can't be bought at your local retail outlet that make a house a home. The unique touches (like vinyl lettering) and the projects you worked hard to create that make your home stand out from the rest.
After 5 years of tearing out just about everything in our home, we're close to being done. I say close because I don't think it ever really ends. And my husband (who I say has no creative vision) still looks at me like I'm crazy every time I buy some recycled "junk" item. I tell him exactly what I'm going to do with it, and he says "that will never work," but most of the time it does and he is quite impressed. You would think he'd learn.
Find Recycled Building Materials near you: www.BuildingReuse.org
Something as an example with a LOT of potential:
Old Post Office Sorter - $50
Minor fixes and repaint. Great craft storage system!
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