So many of Southern California Ranch style homes do not have a great deal of architectural detail. Many apartments, condo’s and town homes also seem to void of any architectural interest. Adding some architectural interest to your home may include new molding, columns, shutters or other upgrades.

But what if you want more? What if you only want to replace a toilet or interior door? What if you want solid wood, arched doors, from the 1920s in your entry? Or tin ceiling panels in a dining room, or a Victorian pediment piece for above a doorway or window. Where do you go? Architectural Salvage companies.

Some salvage yards are more for do it your self homeowners, others are for businesses or the upper crust looking to bring in some old world charm. But all of these are open to the public and are great places for the intrepid to hunt.

The key to shopping here realizing, for the most part, these items are not mass produced any more and are extremely limited in supply. But for architectural integrity and craftsmanship, most older items score high. Salvage yards and warehouses are where you go for either old world craftsmanship or architectural pieces that have a “wow” factor.

First on my list was Santa Fe Wrecking Company. Here you’ll find everything from the 1890’s to the present day in used toilets and tanks to bathtubs, doors, cabinetry, old lighting fixtures and windows galore. Set in an outdoor lot, its hap hazard shopping at its best and worst with most items organized in groupings. Not everything is priced here and they will dicker if you are buying more than a few things. The pricing here goes from $5-$10,000 depending upon the item.

Some 1920’s glass door knob sets including knob and spindle were $45. An incredible leaded stained glass entry door was $3800. A 6’ ft claw foot porcelain tub was $6500. A 1940’s pedestal sink with original fixtures was $4800. A 4’ x 1 ½ foot arched window was $175. Some nice plantation shutters 2’ x 5’ were just $45. A bathroom cabinet door from the 1950’s was just $25. Some old fashioned grip, hot and cold porcelain bathroom knobs ran $15-$18. Porcelain toilet tanks ran $25-$190 and no, most are not “Low Flush Tanks”

Doors are one of the best reasons to come here. If you have struggled with hallow interior doors or a cheap entry door from Home Depot and now want the real thing, this is a great stop with most running from $120 simple doors, up to $350 for more ornate. A large arched country entry door in mahogany with two top arched windows is $1250 and some large antique fir doors with large glass panels were $950.

All in all, Santa Fe Wrecking is a great place to stop and hunt for architectural objects and inspiration.

Santa Fe Wrecking Company
1600 South Santa Fe Ave.,
Los Angeles, CA 90021
213.623.3119
www.santafewrecking.com

Another stop for those you looking for more statement making wow pieces is Olde Good Things. Based out of Pennsylvania, this friendly family run business is the largest architectural salvage company in the United States with store locations in Florida, Manhattan, Los Angeles and Pennsylvania

They have pieces in here that are stunning, “wow” pieces and they seem to cater to the interior design trade. Nothing in here is cheap and pricing can run high on one of a kind, estate items like a large Andrew Carnegie copper mirror dormer from a Copper Hewitt home. At $18,000 you’ve never seen anything like it anywhere. Some ornate bronze street lamp posts with 36” opaque globes are $45,000 and a set of huge 15’ tall x 6 ‘ wide antique ornate wrought iron property gates were $35,000. You’ll also spot, over the top huge old hotel chandeliers, statues and garden accessories for and from estates.

On the more practical financial front, you’ll find industrial ceiling factory lights here at $95-$150 each and a set of 4, 1900’s sweetheart chairs with wood seats for $400. Tin ceiling tiles that have been hand painted are great for art wall grouping at $25 each. I came across a set of 5, 10 “ across flower Victorian antique wood medallions at $250 each. After I considered how much it is costing me to replicate one that is 2” across, I realized what a great buy that was…. Just wish I could validate the purchase somehow.

Like Santa Fe Wrecking they’ll dicker a little with you if you’re purchasing a great deal.

Old Good Things
1800 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213-746-8600 or 8611
213-210-7675 cell
9 am to 6 pm weekdays
10 am to 6 pm weekends

www.ogtstore.com

Suzanne O'Connor