We Do Prop Rentals!CONTACT US

Olde Good Things

Architectural and Altered Antiques

St. Patrick’s Day: Do the GREEN Thing!

Posted on by

Kilbennan_St._Benin's_Church_Window_St._Patrick_Detail_2010_09_16Historically speaking, St. Patrick’s Day is a day when Catholics, Anglicans, and Irish-Americans celebrate the man and the myth, Saint Patrick. Celebrated on March 17th, the day is meant to commemorate the life and the ministry of the Patron Saint of Ireland.

Modernly and commercially speaking, St. Patrick’s Day is a day when Americans celebrate their love for the Irish, and the color green. Cities throughout the country hold parades and costume and craft stores offer customers quirky t-shirts, anything featuring shamrocks, and lots and lots of leprechaun images.

Scranton, a city known for its Irish immigrant and Irish-American communities, isn’t just home to one of the most popular and well-attended St. Patrick’s Day parades, it is also home to Olde Good Things headquarters and main warehouse.

In order to get into the spirit with our fellow Scrantonians we are showcasing a few of the green items in our inventory.

Is your home in need of a bit of antique flare and a splash of color? Why don’t you  give this early 20th century carved wood frame love seat with plush lime green upholstery a try?

Early 20th century green love seat with a carved wood frame

Here’s a gallery of other green seating if this isn’t your style…

 

We also have a great number of green tiles in our inventory. These tiles are perfect for remodeling projects in kitchens, bathrooms, or mudrooms.

Green French Empire style marble mantel with bronze sphinx details

 

If the seating or tiles aren’t your thing, you might consider this green French marble Empire style mantel. This mantel is medium-sized with bronze sphinxes flanking each side and a bronze center motif. This mantel is one of a kind and in excellent condition. This is one of several additions from Danny Alessandro & Edwin Jackson mantel company.

If you’d rather have an industrial perk with a green flare, take a look at these offerings:

 

The final item in our Olde Good Things “do the green thing” post is this set of hunter green shutter doors featuring heart cut-outs to add accent and simplistic beauty. These doors measure 52.25 in. H x 18.875 in. W x 1.375 in, and are in good condition.

Hunter green heart cut out doorsOlde Good Things is glad to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with you by offering you a 15% discount on green items on our web site on March 17th.  Just call or email and mention you saw this offering on the blog post.  If you’d like to see more of the green items in our inventory—from industrial lamps to furniture to mantel clocks—visit our warehouse or one of our locations. If you’d like to learn more about any of the items featured in this post, please contact us.

From all of us at Olde Good Things, we wish you a happy, healthy, and “green” St. Patrick’s Day!

 

 

Tin-Tilating Decor at Olde Good Things

Posted on by

Tin is one of the most utilized metals on the planet. Aside from its use in numerous alloys, such as bronze and pewter, it is also a stand-alone metal used most notably during the innovative and industrial 1800s.

Ornate tin ceilings became prevalent in 19th century America

Ornate tin ceilings became prevalent in 19th century America

Most Americans couldn’t afford the expensive yet beautiful intricately designed plaster ceilings so popular in the wealthy houses in Europe so they sought a less expensive, more durable, more eye-catching material—tin—to fabricate ceilings and walls throughout many of the buildings erected in the late-1800s.

Tin ceilings withstood earthquakes, fires, and other disasters unlike their weaker, less practical plaster cousins. Understandably, the fireproof property of tin made it an in-demand building product, especially in Chicago after the devastating fire in 1871.

Once World War II began the need for tin in military applications skyrocketed which meant it became a scarce commodity for builders and interior designers. Thankfully, a few of the buildings where tin ceilings were a featured showpiece are still in existence, and Old Good Things has had the opportunity to salvage these gorgeous pieces, restore and repurpose them.

Before a building is demolished, the owners call Olde Good Things to salvage architectural pieces that would otherwise molder in the dump, alone, forgotten, and covered in layers of filth. When we arrive at the site, we get to work building scaffolding and prying each piece of tin from the ceiling with pry bars. With a little gentle nudge and a lot of elbow grease, we carefully remove the tin and transport it to our warehouse.

 

As you see here, we have quite a few tin panels in stock at our Scranton warehouse. When a customer orders a custom-made tin ceiling or mirror we get to work hammering out the dents, scrubbing and washing the panels, painting them, and covering them in protective coatings to ensure they stay beautiful for decades to come.

After being salvaged, this is where our tin ends up for you to selectA colorful pile of tin to suit your design tastes

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a few more examples of the tin panel works our customers have done in their design projects:

ogt_antique_tin_ceiling (5)

 

Not only is tin a glorious addition to make any ceiling pop, it can be used in interior furniture design. Olde Good Things designs and fabricates tin mirrors, and our customers have used the refurbished tin in backsplashes, tables, wall and bar covers and other interior design elements.

ogt_antique_tin_ceiling(18)

Can you image how fabulous a colored tin backsplash would look in your kitchen? What about a vintage or antique tin mirror in your entryway, bathroom, or public areas? Business owners, would a handmade, custom-designed tin ceiling draw the eye of customers as they walk by? Think of how popular your retail space would be when people stop in just to see your amazing tin ceiling.

Ceiling tin of all shapes, colors and sizes can be created by you!

Our tin looks amazing over a mantel

If you love a rustic, vintage feel you can’t go wrong with refurbished, repurposed tin. To learn more about our salvage, restoration, or design process, contact us. To order your very own custom tin creation, contact our craftsmen through our Scranton warehouse.

Not only do we have amazing tin creations, we are also home to a growing collection of decorative iron and bronze pieces. Learn more about those here.

New Home For an Old Timer

Posted on by

Tick Tock Diner on 34th Street in Manhattan
There’s nothing more refreshing than renovations using past architectural elements in new designs. Customers at Olde Good Things include builders, designers, architects and innovators who just want to add a touch of old world charm to their installations.

Here’s just one of many of our customer’s re-uses of an antique architectural element in a modern design project. This clock once stood the test of time atop a 1905 meeting hall in Cherryfield, Maine. Now it is catching eyes at the Tick Tock Diner on 34th Street in Manhattan. Send us a few photos of your project with up-cycled elements from Olde Good Things to add to our library of interesting innovations done by our customers. Even if you only have an “after” shot feel free to send your photos to [email protected]. Let us know if you are willing for us to post them to our web site, privacy observed of course.

Historic La Ronda: Olde Good Things Salvaging Dream

Posted on by

As an architectural salvage, restoration and preservation company, Olde Good Things has had the privilege to work with historical societies and owners of historic sites, and salvage incredible pieces from fascinating buildings all over the country.

LaRonda, a Mizner masterpiece in Bryn Mawr PA

One of our more controversial salvage projects involved the La Ronda estate in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

Originally, La Ronda was a 17,500 sq ft mansion with 233 acres of estate lands owned and cherished by Percival Foerderer and his family. Foerderer made his riches in the leather goods manufacturing industry. Built in 1927 by J.S. Cornell & Son, and designed by renowned 20th-century architect Addison Mizner, La Ronda was a Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Gothic Revival masterpiece set like a jewel in the crown of lush green landscapes.

With 51 rooms, 21 of which were bedrooms, La Ronda had the distinct honor of having most of the hardware, furnishings, fittings, and other decorative elements designed and created by Mizner and his craftsmen. Because of the holistic approach to design, the estate boasted intricate and consistent aesthetic features that only added to the beauty of the mansion.

When Percival died in 1969, his family sold La Ronda to Villanova University, and after subsequent owners, the estate lands were reduced from their original 233 acres to only 3.2 acres where the mansion sat.

LaRonda in 2009 prior to demolition

La Ronda was purchased in 2009 for a paltry $6 million. The new owner chose to keep his identity secret, and some believed this was because of his next move—applying for a permit to demolish the historic mansion to build his own house.

Understandably, this had many of the areas’ historical societies up in arms, determined to find a way to prevent the demolition and save the property.   Unfortunately, despite their efforts to raise $7 million to purchase the property, they were unsuccessful at raising the funds or negotiating with the previous owner to achieve historical status.

Once the negotiations and attempts to buy the property fell through, before exchanging ownership, salvage companies were contacted to come and remove some of the more beautiful pieces of architecture.

Olde Good Things was one of the companies contacted, and we were more than willing to come to help preserve some of the original architectural elements.

Here are a few images of our salvaging experts carefully removing some of the architectural pieces of La Ronda.

Olde Good Things doing careful removal of historic LaRonda salvage

Olde Good Things doing careful removal of this historic salvage

 

Here large arched tudor windows are being removed

The architecturologists are seen here dismantling one of the cast stone arches

Here, cast stone door surrounds are being taken down

 

 

 

Many of these pieces salvaged from La Ronda have now been incorporated in a Mizner style home in Florida, where the owner wove these beautiful features into the structure.

 

Elements from LaRonda incorporated in this Florida home

Elements from LaRonda incorporated in this Florida home

Olde Good Things is honored to be a part of this amazing salvage and historic preservation project. We would love for you to visit one of our many locations to see the other gorgeous pieces we have been privileged to recover over the years.

To learn more about our salvaging services or look through our growing inventory, contact us.

 

Recent Reclamation: Terra Cotta Dreams!

Posted on by

Two sided separation wall--stacked terra cotta pieces meant to draw the eye

Two sided separation wall–stacked terra cotta pieces meant to draw the eye

You know Olde Good Things is the #1 name in architectural salvage, and you know we take our work providing new homes for old items seriously, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to you that we’ve outdone ourselves with our latest acquisition.

This terra cotta wall once stood as the exterior accent wall of a forgotten NYC building. Because only the outward sides of the pieces were exposed to the elements, these pieces can be reused as interior wall décor, or as accent pieces in a garden. Imagine, you can create a peaceful oasis in your own yard using a material known to be used in ancient China.

This wall acted as a separation wall, but did more than that—it caught the eye, and eventually the hearts of OGT salvage professionals. The wall was exposed on both sides, so the amount of wear is even, but it adds a sense of timelessness that only terra cotta can evoke.

 

Salvagers take their work seriously, but they still smile!

Salvagers take their work seriously, but they still smile!

7-1/2 in. x 7-1/2 in. x 5-1/8 in.

7-1/2 in. x 7-1/2 in. x 5-1/8 in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each one of the 600 pieces of were painstakingly removed, carefully transported to our store, and are now ready for you to take and create beautiful designs of your own using pieces of NYC history.

600 pieces were removed from this wall

Each piece measures 7-1/2 in. x 7-1/2 in. x 5-1/8 in., and can be used in many different applications—interiors, exteriors, home, and office.

Stop by your nearest Olde Good Things showroom to learn more about these charming historical pieces.

Out With the New, In with the Olde

Posted on by

With 2014 in the books, it’s time to create your New Year’s resolution for your home and start planning and designing your living space for 2015.

Reclaimed butcher block table with pipe legs

Reclaimed butcher block table with pipe legs designed and made by Olde Good Things

If your kitchen looks more like a brown bag than a gourmet diner, you might want to consider remodeling; re-tiling with salvage subway tiles, or custom ordering your own farm table is a step in a fabulous direction. Does your bathroom make you cringe rather than chill? Why not give it a new look using reclaimed bath fixtures and vintage lighting? With something as simple as replacing your cupboard knobs, you can change the ambiance from stressed to spa quickly and easily.

Looking for a bigger, more spectacular change? Why not install a salvaged or reclaimed wood mantle over your existing fireplace? Not spectacular enough? Change all the lighting fixtures in your home with vintage chandeliers, sconces, or industrial lamps.

A crystal chandelier purchased at our Chelsea location

A crystal chandelier purchased at our Chelsea location

 

It wouldn’t hurt to add a bit of drama using salvaged corrugated chicken wire glass as statement pieces in your living room or kitchen.

Olde Good Things is the one stop location for designers and end-users alike to come up with great ideas for all your future design plans both for your living or business spaces.  This year is only just beginning, but it holds much promise, especially for those who really want to keep their New Year’s Resolutions of creating a home that is all about them, their tastes, and their budget.

Add to your 2015 calendar plans to visit any or all of our four New York City showrooms, our LA store and our huge National Warehouse locations in Scranton, PA.

Using Salvaged, Vintage Chandeliers in Remodeling

Posted on by

One of the best ways to create exactly the look you want while remodeling your home is to use what has already proven successful; recruit vintage chandeliers for a new position of honor in your modern home. Using a chandelier that has been salvaged from an older home may not only save you money on your new look, but you’ll also contribute to helping save resources that are consumed in making new home design items.

A recycled chandelier can create just the vibe you want to accomplish with your home overhaul. An eclectic collection of modern furniture styled with a vintage chandelier can help a room evolve into a chic expression of the various components of your personality. In some cases, a chandelier can become the focal point of the room, drawing eyes to it in the midst of other dressings that may not be as elaborate. Playful designs of out of the ordinary materials can infuse fun and character into an otherwise plain spoken room.
Antique French colored crystal chandelierMid century modern fabulous cherry red chandelier

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you can find a vintage chandelier with an elegant design, it could well reside in your bathroom, lending an extravagant feel to a small space and making time spent in the room special. A chandelier can also be used in an unexpected place, such as a high ceiling hallway, to provide light with a classic touch. Hanging a chandelier from another era in your bedroom can steep your sleeping quarters in the aura of that day and time.

You can feed a desire to represent certain time periods through your chandelier. You may be fascinated with the Dutch and Flemish created chandeliers of the 1700s. Acquiring one of these light fixtures will allow you to accent your home with a bit of history that’s not only functional but attractive. The decadence of a Victorian crystal chandelier may beckon to you from an architectural salvage yard, and you should heed the call and bask in the multi-faceted lighting of long ago. A home office that sports a checkered tile begs for a 1950s retro style chandelier to create the complete vibe, complete with furniture in boxy shapes and vinyl.
Muller Freres Art Nouveau chandelierHuge wrought iron chandelier with curved amber glass - See more at: http://ogtstore.com/lighting/chandeliers/huge-wrought-iron-chandelier-with-curved-amber-glass/#sthash.QqyaAxsi.dpuf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a wide selection of vintage chandeliers available at Olde Good Things. Take a few minutes (or hours) and check out our selection through our website, or visit one of our many locations. You can also do your own salvaging and recycling when you ask around to see if people know of older homes and estates that may be selling the fixtures, likely in preparing them for demolition or remodeling.

Allowing a vintage salvaged chandelier to occupy a place of respect in your home as you are recreating your space will give new purpose to an old beauty. The attractive light fixture will not rot and waste away in a landfill or deteriorate slowly in an attic, tucked away from adoring eyes. Instead, it will shine even brighter as it becomes reincarnated into the fabulous eyepiece it was originally designed to be, high in the air where all stars remain.

Midtown Manhattan Makeover

Posted on by

If you’ve been reading this blog for the last few months, you’ve probably come across a  post or two about designer Michael Laudati. Michael isn’t just some novice interior designer with aspirations for greatness, he has changed the face of many historical building lobbies in New York City.

With Michael’s eye for detail, taste and understated flair, and Olde Good Things’ incredible and varied selection of historical salvaged materials, lobbies that have lost their  uniqueness have been restored to their original beauty. This has increased the number of visitors to once lonely historical buildings.

Recently, we caught up with Michael to see what he’s been up to – and we were pleased by what we discovered.

His newest project included remodeling an Upper West side building lobby. The redesign was a tricky feat because part of the lobby space included an awkwardly placed storage closet – how does one make a storage closet look good?

According to Michael: “The door to the closet was custom made to fit the opening but I added a vintage elevator door grille in the opening backed with textured glass that allows light from a window behind it to shine thru”. As you can see from the image, this is one stylish storage closet, and OGT provided the materials Michael needed to make it look so good.

This Upper West Side lobby was also in need of a lighting makeover. With a lighting fixture handpicked from OGT’s stock of salvaged lighting fixtures, Michael installed this gorgeous chandelier fixture that creates an atmosphere of class and elegance that plays artfully with the new storage closet door.

So, do you want to see into the heart and home of this prolific designer?

Michael’s apartment in The Adlon is dressed with three Secession style iron grilles on the wall over the couch. These have been fashioned into a work of art. The cast iron fireplace screen, the gorgeous red and gold cafe chairs, the Secession table lamp beside the couch, and the tile top industrial coffee table are all pieces Michael found in one of our warehouses.

We’re glad to be a part of Michael’s creative remodeling and design projects. We’d love to be a part of yours as well. Check out our selection of salvaged materials, handcrafted furniture, and repurposed art pieces at any one of our six locations.

Olde Good Things