Tag: design inspiration | Page 5

Cata: Silvered and Industrial Glass and Lighting

Posted on January 18, 2015 by Danica Sorber

Come inside Cata and see what a few refurbished salvaged items can do

Come inside Cata and see what a few refurbished items can do

In a world where it is considered such commonplace to “throw the baby out with the bath water” so to speak, it is a breath of fresh air when one can so masterfully find creative ways to employ otherwise overlooked items.

When you walk through the eclectic doors with reclaimed chicken wire glass, the arched set of antique silvered glass copper windows that is lit just behind the bar catches your eye right away, and you cannot help but be drawn to the copper pendant lights that float across the room overhead.

Thanks to OGT, Cata, an upscale restaurant on New York’s Lower East Side, was able to do just that. By artistically using refurbished décor, they were able to create a very unique ambiance for their patrons, proving that a good meal definitely begins with presentation! Of course, in a restaurant that boasts an ever-changing menu, and a schedule that is as unique as the flavor d’jour, one would expect nothing less.

The delicious brick exterior and reclaimed chicken wire glass in the doors and windows of the restaurant are two of its great vintage features

The distressed silvered glass behind the bar casts a glimmering reflection of Cata patrons as they dine in style

The different fixtures, all with different stories to tell, definitely contribute to the undeniable eclectic, yet swanky feel of this place. It is undoubtedly… unparalleled. This is definitely not something that can be replicated. It is not your run-of-the-mill, everyday décor, simply because these pieces cannot be picked up at your local Walmart. They are one of a kind.

Hanging fixtures add an industrial touch to an elegant space

Hanging pendant lights add an industrial touch in front of reclaimed chicken wire arched picture windows

Sometimes beautifully flawed for what they were originally intended, but repurposed and remade into something even greater. The beauty of this place is not unlike an inner-city church choir, although each individual piece by itself has its own innate beauty, it is only when they are all combined that you can truly appreciate its splendor.

Distressed mirrored glass
Reclaimed chicken wire glass

Reusing Salvaged Tile: The “Green” Factor

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Danica Sorber

It’s probably evident that “green” refers to the environment rather than cash savings, but just to be clear, reusing salvaged tile could impact both aspects of life. There’s a growing bandwagon of folks who are doing their part to save the planet one choice at a time. Manufacturing has made a massive impact on the earth’s atmosphere and health. Looking at the planet in segments of pre- and post-industrial era provides shocking evidence of how drastic that effect has been. It’s a bit of a chicken-egg conundrum to figure out whether the green movement started a trend for reusing things, or the other way around, but one thing is for certain, the word “recycle” has had a facelift and is receiving high accolades rather than besmirching side glances from the world of interior (and personal) fashion.

Not only will a purchase of salvaged tile find any home renovator pleased with the unique beauty and incomparable quality of how “they used to make things,” but there is the peace of mind that comes with a well-placed piece of history. The well-recycled phrase “if you’re not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem” rings true in this incident. Finding ways to circumvent the common way of doing things will produce a sense of pride in the knowledge that your lovely tiled backsplash or shower hasn’t been part of the problem. Imagine all the great ways you can reuse this beautiful tile!

Out with the Old, In with the…Older?

When faced with the task to renovate a space, there is often a plethora of heinously outdated décor to be removed. Any home-project expert will have experience with such things as “vintage” shag carpet, cheap (and dreadful) wood paneled walls, dreaded popcorn ceilings, peeling linoleum or wallpaper, and lead-based paint. Home renovation projects are filled with the “out with the old” mentality. Few would think of replacing old and worn out items with classic old pieces, but that’s exactly what Olde Good Things is doing. It’s fine to want to shoot the interior decorator who cursed a lovely home to a dated existence, but finding solace in the fact that there are beautiful things to replace those worn old things with can be a great comfort.

At www.ogtstore.com, a bounty of beautiful salvaged tile presents itself to bring a one-of-a-kind face lift to any interior project. Finding something pretty isn’t hard to do, but finding something that will not fade with time requires the creativity to utilize things that have remained classically irreplaceable to this day.

This tile is a classic beauty that shows it age well. Vintage is “fabulous”.

Reach into the past and avoid being the cause for more industrialized damage to the planet. “Green” is very in right now and those who are willing to venture some creativity will gain priceless and beautiful pieces for their home without the nagging feeling of having just paid to poison the planet.

Olde Good Things Spotlight: Boulton & Watt — Emporium Design’s Dream Build

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Danica Sorber

The industrial revolution marked a huge change in history; the beginning of an exciting journey into an era filled with growth. This new era meant change, change in how things were manufactured, and the speed at which they were completed. Every aspect of life would change and improve as hand production moved to machine production increasing productivity and efficiency. The transition from hand production to machine began in Great Britain, and over a few decades made its way to the United States. This move boasted an improvement in water power, the increase in steam powered production, and the creation of machine tools.

When pondering over this time period, the 18th and 19th century’s images of large machines operated by steam may come to mind. Large, bulky and metal might be a few adjectives that could describe this era, but not words such as beautiful, unique, full of ambiance and creativity. Though one may not consider the industrial age to be a thing of beauty, one’s opinion may change upon entering Boulton & Watt in Manhattan, NYC.

This historic Manhattan building has been home to several industrial businesses over the decades, but now it is home to a restaurant that honors and beautifies the industrial era – Boulton & Watt.

This sign is a beacon to those who love amazing food and want to be wowed by their surroundings while they eat. Boulton & Watt will give them both.

Boulton & Watt is a restaurant full of history and charm that can be found on a prominent East Village corner in Manhattan New York. The history behind the building in which Boulton & Watt resides dates back to the 19th century when the industrial revolution was making its mark in history. Before Boulton & Watt took over occupancy, the building was once known as the neighborhoods working factory and engine repair shop. Love and gratitude for this remarkable era is obvious to guests upon entrance to the restaurant. The rich history of the industrial era was carefully kept intact by the creative minds at Emporium Design.

Emporium Design prides themselves on being a forward thinking design-build firm that specializes in creating unique spaces that complement the mind, ideals, and heart of each of their clients. Those looking to hire a design team that is not bound by in-the-box thinking are drawn to the Emporium Design firm. The goal of this company is to help create a lasting impression for everyone who enters one of their client’s buildings, and that is true of those who walk into Boulton & Watt.

The image is the perfect complement to the wood and steel footrest stools, and various machine base table legs Olde Good Things provided for this design/build project.

The wall art is ‘geared’ towards the theme.

Walking into Boulton & Watt is like taking a trip into the past. The Emporium Design Firm wanted to preserve this building’s deep and prolific history, and so they designed the restaurant’s theme around the look, feel and history of the building. In order to achieve a complete industrial feel the Emporium Design team needed a little help. They had the ideas, the dreams, and the vision, but they also needed the design elements and materials to bring those dreams to life. We are one of the largest architectural antique dealers in the country specializing in historical artifacts from the nineteenth century and the pre-depression era. This makes us a popular choice for design projects such as the amazing design and build of Boulton & Watt. Part of the unique experience of eating at Boulton & Watt is sitting amongst, and literally on, history; history that has been gathered and displayed beautifully thanks to the keen eye of those that work for us, and the effort they place in locating and repurposing all kinds of antique items.

The bar is where everyone seems to gather, and when that bar is in Boulton & Watt, it’s easy to see why; the distressed mirrored glass, and the gears that turn an Olde Good Things salvaged ceiling fan add a taste of the Machine Age.

The image is the perfect complement to the wood and steel footrest stools, and various machine base table legs Olde Good Things provided for this design/build project.

Industrial, adjustable singer stools are just one of the reclaimed items from Olde Good Things that can be found in Boulton & Watt. Wood and steel footrests compliment a uniquely fashioned table designed and put together from various machines that are true to the era being honored. Throughout the restaurant one can see little touches salvaged by Olde Good Things such as the glass behind the bar, which boasts a lovely distressed mirror and helps add a dash of industrial flavor from an earlier time period. The Emporium Design team left no space untouched by history, to be true to the restaurant theme.

The gizmo gears in the picture actually turn a large ceiling fan.

The gears behind the bar are rigged…

The gizmo gears turn a large unique ceiling fan.

… to turn a large salvaged ceiling fan.

These mint green urinals are one of the quirkiest things Olde Good Things has salvaged. Not only do they have practical use, they are pleasing to the eye.

Doorknobs, decorative iron, mantels and even salvaged urinals are just part of the unique items OGT has reclaimed and repurposed; when the designers at Emporium Design needed to complete the look and feel of the bathroom at this industrial themed eatery they knew they would find what they were looking for at Olde Good Things. To truly accomplish a task as grand as an industrial themed eatery, it takes multiple individuals, teams, and specialist, to pull off such a feat; the people at Emporium Design and Olde Good Things accomplished their goal beautifully. Those that have the unique privilege of eating at Boulton & Watt would all agree that the atmosphere and décor reminds them of an exciting time in America’s history.

Design Dream! A Spectacular Home Redesign with Antique and Vintage Goods

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Danica Sorber

Olde Good Things has been mentioned in a recent pictorial feature in Design NJ, New Jersey’s Home & Design Magazine. This pictorial featured the incredibly beautiful designs of Linda Maley and Lisa Keyser, sisters and owners of Whitepop Design. Whitepop Design has the distinction of being featured in several NJ design magazines, showcases, and having the opportunity to design homes for people all over the East Coast.

The magazine pictorial featuring OGT was a great pat on the back for the expertise of Whitepop Designs in integrating architectural salvage into existing interiors.

Here is our commentary on the pictorial featuring photo highlights of Olde Good Things’ salvaged goods.

Vintage items bring warmth and grandeur that can’t be paralleled by new renditions of old things. The most important aspect of antiquing is knowing how to collect the showpiece items and learning to bypass the items that lend a sense of untrendy grandma-ness to space. Classic old pieces are worth the investment as they bring depth and crumble the common platitude of modern factory recreations of style. At Olde Good Things, you will find treasures like the old church railing that recalls the grandeur of the Gothic era. To truly repurpose something may involve giving it a previously inconceivable function. The use of the railing as a truss adds swooping lines to entry for a great room making it something more than the sum of its parts.

The beautiful dark wood railings, overhanging decorative supports, and breathtaking stained glass windows were carefully salvaged by OGT from a Gothic church.

An up close and personal view of the eye catching stained glass windows and salvage Gothic church railings.

This is another glorious view of the salvaged dark wood Gothic church railings that have been repurposed as faux support beams.

Walk into the room and find salvaged stained glass windows that echo a distant past. The house dons a grace and elegance from the past that has been brought to life through its salvaged parts. For the full impact of a thoroughly made-over house, the antique wainscoting and solid wood wall paneling mimics the lines from the Gothic railings and windows and fireplace. Coming together like the final crescendo in an orchestral piece of full-bodied sound, the full grace of antique French doors leads to a sense of awe and silence fitting of a quiet, old lounge vaguely bedecked with musty cigar smoke and conversations lulling on fire lit nights.

The breathtaking Gothic dark wood paneling and wainscoting caressing the length of this hallway is a prize OGT was more than happy to award with this remodeling project.

These amazingly detailed hand-painted windows were imported from Argentina and lovingly handled by OGT until they found their forever home in this place of honor in the kitchen.

Entirely possessed with a seemingly impossible cozy grandeur, the home is a complete relic of the past brought to full life in a present-day setting through the art of Olde Good Things’ style and unique sense of perfection. A stark contrast to any cluttered antique store, the style, and elegance in this home resonate through each piece salvaged from locations around the world. Argentine charm comes together with pieces so reminiscent of an old church, they seem to vibrate with tunes of old hymns sung in a capella resonance and the final rattle of a distant subway station in New York comes through in the kitchen tiles perched auspiciously beneath an ornately carved wooden hood for the stove and beautiful wooden ceilings that bring the entire picture into focus.

These gorgeous French doors and hand painted transom were salvaged and imported from Argentina. Just another of the incredible pieces OGT has been privileged enough to obtain.

Very much alive, the past comes to complete and final harmony with the present in each room throughout the home. Each item is beautifully showcased to perfection. Rich with stories and beautiful lives of their own, the antique pieces dwell somewhere in the liminal between time leaving their audience to wonder at their splendor and giving a whole new life to the walls of the home. Few walls require an entire audience to marvel at them, but those with their hand-painted Argentine windows and ornately carved wooden panels, are quite something else. Made by hands from another time, the pieces evoke a kind of passion and stillness within the heart of the beholder.

If walls could speak, these would have more to tell than any modern re-fabricated attempt at reproduction and would be well worth several afternoons of hot tea and conversation. As for the present caretakers of the items, they live a life surrounded by reminders of the past and beauty of eras gone by. Perhaps in harkening back, it becomes possible to also look forward and imagine hallowed silences and moments of importance passing again before these very walls before they continue their journey and become part of new stories.

Subway tile

Argentine Glass

The photos in this post were taken from Design NJ, New Jersey’s Home & Design Magazine, February/March 2013 edition. Thank you!

Design NJ, February/March 2013

Design Dream! A Spectacular Home Redesign with Antique and Vintage Goods

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Danica Sorber

The magazine pictorial featuring OGT was a great pat on back for the expertise of Whitepop Designs in integrating architectural salvage into existing interiors.

Here is our commentary on the pictorial featuring photo highlights of Olde Good Things’ salvaged goods.

Vintage items bring a warmth and grandeur that can’t be paralleled by new renditions of old things. The most important aspect of antiquing is knowing how to collect the showpiece items and learning to bypass the items that lend a sense of untrendy grandma-ness to a space. Classic old pieces are worth the investment as they bring depth and crumble the common platitude of modern factory recreations of style. At Olde Good Things, you will find treasures like the old church railing that recalls the grandeur of the Gothic era. To truly repurpose something may involve giving it a previously inconceivable function. The use of the railing as a truss adds swooping lines to an entry for a great room making it something more than the sum of its parts.

The beautiful dark wood railings, overhanging decorative supports, and breathtaking stained glass windows were carefully salvaged by OGT from a Gothic church.

An up close and personal view of the eye catching stained glass windows and salvage Gothic church railings.

This is another glorious view of the salvaged dark wood Gothic church railings that have been repurposed as faux support beams.

Walk into the room and find salvaged stained glass windows that echo a distant past. The house dons a grace and elegance from the past that has been brought to life through its salvaged parts. For the full impact of a thoroughly made-over house, the antique wainscoting and solid wooden wall paneling mimics the lines from the Gothic railings and windows and fireplace. Coming together like the final crescendo in an orchestral piece of full-bodied sound, the full grace of antique French doors leads to a sense of awe and silence fitting of a quiet, old lounge vaguely bedecked with musty cigar smoke and conversations lulling on fire lit nights.

The breathtaking Gothic dark wood paneling and wainscoting caressing the length of this hallway is a prize OGT was more than happy to award with this remodeling project.

These amazingly detailed hand painted windows were imported from Argentina and lovingly handled by OGT until they found their forever home in this place of honor in the kitchen.

Entirely possessed with a seemingly impossible cozy grandeur, the home is a complete relic of the past brought to full life in a present day setting through the art of Olde Good Things’ style and unique sense of perfection. A stark contrast to any cluttered antique store, the style and elegance in this home resonate through each piece salvaged from locations around the world. Argentine charm comes together with pieces so reminiscent of an old church, they seem to vibrate with tunes of old hymns sung in a capella resonance and the final rattle of a distant subway station in New York comes through in the kitchen tiles perched auspiciously beneath an ornately carved wooden hood for the stove and beautiful wooden ceilings that bring the entire picture into focus.

These gorgeous French doors and hand painted transom were salvaged and imported from Argentina. Just another of the incredible pieces OGT has been privileged enough to obtain.

Very much alive, the past comes to a complete and final harmony with the present in each room throughout the home. Each item is beautifully showcased to perfection. Rich with stories and beautiful lives of their own, the antique pieces dwell somewhere in the liminals between time leaving their audience to wonder at their splendor and giving a whole new life to the walls of the home. Few walls require an entire audience to marvel at them, but these with their hand painted Argentine windows and ornately carved wooden panels, are quite something else. Made by hands from another time, the pieces evoke a kind of passion and stillness within the heart of the beholder.

Subway tile

Argentine Glass

The photos in this post were taken from Design NJ, New Jersey’s Home & Design Magazine, February/March 2013 edition. Thank you!

Design NJ, February/March 2013

Olde Good Things Featured on the Bronson Pinchot Project HGTV

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Marissa

What He Bought

Olde Good Things was featured on HGTV’s Bronson Pinchot Project on their ‘Main House Garden‘ episode. In this episode, Bronson tries to tame the scraggly patch of grass and shrubs next to his house that passes for a garden. But in Bronson’s world gardening involves less planting and more building. Bronson visited one of our warehouses located on Brook Street in Scranton, Pa., and purchased 100 copper shingles that were salvaged from a 100-year-old church steeple roof. For years now we’ve been repurposing the shingles into copper mirrors, seen below. Bronson also purchased a copper cupola several months before, featured on the show. There is a similar Cupola dome with louvered sides still available.

Watch the Video

Beat the Cold of Winter In Style: Beautiful Stone Fireplace Mantels

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Danica Sorber

From late October until the first blooms emerge in spring, the winter months pummel us with ice, freezing winds, and frigid temperatures that keep us locked indoors where it’s warm and cozy. Staying warm and cozy when the winter nights get nippy requires a lot of electric or gas heat, but why mess with those when you can throw a few logs on the fire; get warm, get cozy, get creative? If your home has a fireplace, but that fireplace could use a face lift, you’ve come to the right blog.

With the holidays right around the corner and winter approaching fast on its heels, it’s time to update the fireplace so that when the embers are burning hot, your home décor is looking cool. Olde Good Things has had the honor of salvaging dozens of fireplace mantels and surrounds. These architectural masterpieces were carefully taken from old homes and commercial spaces and provided a temporary home in one of our warehouses. You can provide one of the following stone mantels and surrounds with a permanent home this winter.

This gorgeous green tiled Arts & Crafts style fireplace mantel and surround was salvaged from a home in NJ. The simple green tiles provide a taste of decorative flair and the Corinthian columns provide a sense of history that brings the whole piece to life. This mantel is perfect in homes where warm and cozy meet solid and simple.

Words cannot describe this piece… so, we will pull the words straight from the description on the site: “This is a fairly new mantel made the old way by the Royal Tickelaar of Makkum, the oldest pottery and tile company in the Netherlands.” “…made of Frisian clay and are entirely hand painted.” “There is a lovely floral mosaic on the top, surrounded by individual Dutch scenic tiles. The lower part of the mantel has theme tiles of musicians, children playing and floral tiles.” Breathtaking in detail and perfect for the home in need of something traditional yet unique.

Last, but certainly not least, is this simply stunning carved limestone fireplace surround and mantel. Fashioned in detail to mimic an English Tudor style fireplace it offers its owners a whisper of the antique with a gasp of modern awe.

Olde Good Things is confident that when the winter freeze begins to blanket the world in snow and ice, you’ll be blanketed in warmth and beauty when seated snugly before one of our salvaged fireplaces.

Brilliant Holiday Gift Ideas from the Elves at Olde Good Things

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Danica Sorber

Olde Good Things has spent the last year seeking out, salvaging, and repurposing antique and vintage materials, furniture, and other wonderful things. Many of the things we’ve uncovered have found homes with our faithful and delighted customers. Unfortunately, many of the things we’ve found are still waiting in our warehouse and stores to go to that one home where they will be loved and cherished. This holiday season why not give one or two of these items a forever home? Do you have difficulty thinking up gift ideas for that special someone? If you want to find that perfect holiday gift for the family member who has special tastes, you need to consider one of these following items as a brilliant gift.

This French urn is a breathtaking piece of antique art. Fashioned from marble and caressed with gold accents, this is the perfect holiday gift for the art lover in your life. While it is an old piece, it is only on sale for a short time. This gorgeous purple hued masterpiece is an original Linda Cook lithograph (1993) entitled, “Lavender Provence.” This is a gift that keeps on giving; it will be the centerpiece of many holiday conversations. This item is on sale just in time for the intrepid holiday shopper. Oohs and aahs included.

The holidays shouldn’t be fraught with frustrations; they should be filled with happy shoppers and even happier gift recipients. Shop happy and make happy memories when you shop at one of our locations. We at Olde Good Things want to wish you and your loved ones a Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year.

Nautical Chain Table in House Beautiful

Posted on November 4, 2012 by ogtadmin

The July/August issue of House Beautiful magazine featured one of our nautical chain tables with a white stone top on the front cover!

Click to see the original article online:

See blogger Miss Iris’ take here.

Michael Laudati Beautifully Renovates Historical Lobby

Posted on August 12, 2012 by ogtadmin

In an age when new high-rises and shiny gadgets dominate our culture, there are a few dedicated souls who are committed to preserving the whimsy and heart of vintage styles and pieces. One of these pioneers of preservation is Michael Laudati, a makeup artist who has redefined himself as an architectural and design guru.

Recently Michael worked on a building in New York’s Upper West Side, restoring it to its original 1929 Spanish Revival glory. This remodel was no small project, as it involved installing windows, doors, and intricate veneers, as well as general interior decorating and design.

Taking an existing building and restoring it to accurately reflect its original period involves extensive research and planning to yield a dramatic and unique finished product. Michael Laudati has done just that; here is a look at some of the finished pieces of his lobby redesign.

Here you can see phenomenal before and after photos from Michael’s redesign. Original wooden cross beams have been refinished to a lighter, more natural state. The classic fireplace and wall were given updated treatments including beautiful finish work and edging. Drab aluminum windows hidden behind boring shutters now explode with light thanks to the beautiful casement windows we provided, along with “new” old wall sconces.

[Read more…]

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