When old buildings such as houses, hotels, churches or commercial spaces get demolished or renovated, there are companies that go in to “save” interesting or useful elements before the wrecking ball arrives. These companies salvage things like windows, doors, hardware, radiators, floor grates, stair parts, lighting, fencing, lumber, ceiling tiles, fireplace mantels, bathtubs, flooring and more.

Whether you live in a quaint century home, a huge modern loft or a tiny condo, using salvaged architectural pieces can be a unique and environmentally-friendly way to decorate.

Ideas for your home.

Architectural salvage works in any space, from antique-filled to ultra-modern. Here are just a few ideas:

• Replace boring doorknobs with lovely brass, porcelain or cut glass knobs.
• Old tin ceiling tiles make great wall hangings. Use them rust and all, or take four tiles with the same pattern, paint each one a different colour, and hang them as a grouping.
• Replace the bathtub in your modern space with a deep, elegant clawfoot soaker.
• Install a row of crystal doorknobs in the bathroom to hang towels, or use them as pretty drapery tie-backs.
• Replace a standard floor grate with a lovely iron one, or hang one on your wall as art.
• Use a piece of wrought-iron fencing as a headboard.
• Use beautiful old hinges on your doors – you can find some really ornate ones that would look equally good in a period home or a contemporary space.
• Thinking about installing hardwood floors? Reclaimed wood flooring is great quality, and it’s less expensive and more environmentally-friendly than buying new.
• Install old stained glass or leaded glass windows into non-load-bearing internal walls to allow light to shine through.
• If you’re restoring an old home, architectural salvage centres are a valuable resource for staying true to the style and period of the house. The people who work there tend to be very knowledgeable.

Where to find salvaged items.

• Architectural salvage stores have the best selection. Look up “architectural salvage” online or in the yellow pages, or try “building materials – used,” “salvage and surplus” or “antiques.” Talk to demolition contractors and ask them where they take their salvaged building materials.
• Estate auctions are another great source – anything from windows and decorations to entire houses can come up at auction. Check your local paper, or search online for auctions in your area.
• Don’t discount flea markets, garage sales and other sources of used goods.
• Call your local historical restoration or preservation society.
• Shop online – you can find anything on eBay.

Using architectural salvage in your home is an affordable and environmentally-friendly way to add originality and a bit of history when you decorate or renovate your space.

Who lived in your home before you did? What’s the history of your condo conversion? What was the land used for before your house was there?

If the answers to those questions intrigue you, you may want to research the history of your house, building or the land it’s on. You may be surprised at the interesting information you uncover. Here are a few ideas to help you get your research started:

Check the structure, style and materials of your home.

Style can give you a rough sense of when it was built. Look for original hardware, wallpaper or flooring for further clues. If you’re renovating, check inside the walls for old newspapers, which were often used as insulation.

Open up your filing cabinet.

Your deed, assessment notice, and tax bill can give you clues about the history of your property.

Talk to your neighbours.

Long-time area residents are a great resource. Talk to them – they’ll probably enjoy sharing their memories. Find out if they have old photos of the neighbourhood. You can even track down the former owners of the house and see if they’re willing to chat.

If you live in a newer neighbourhood, check if there’s an older house nestled in among the newly built ones. Talk to the owners – they may have insights into the neighbourhood and the people who once owned the land where your house now stands.

Look online.

Google your street name or neighbourhood. You could find old photos, information about former residents, and details about the properties in your area.

If you own a recently built house or condo, visit to your developer’s website or contact them directly. Condos that have been converted from heritage buildings often include information on the building’s history. You may also find information on suburban developments built on former farms, and urban infill projects may have some interesting history as well.

Visit your local library, archive or museum.

Look for information about your neighbourhood as well as your house or building. Check these resources:

Also look for census record, building permits, and voters lists. Talk to the people that work in the library, museum or archive – they may know about great local resources not mentioned here.

Call the land registry office.

They can tell you how to search for titles to your property, which indicate who built your home and who has owned it over the years.

Finding about your home’s past can be a fun challenge – learning about your property and the people who lived or worked there before you is a great way to get a sense of history, find details to make your restoration historically accurate, get to know your neighbours, and appreciate your home in a whole new way.

Check this resource…