Special Wallpaper

This was another gem found on the original plaster walls in a house located in College Park, Georgia.  Drywall was removed and it revealed this bucolic scene - of certainly another place, from another time. The wallpaper is very ornate and colorful, but also very peaceful.

Restroom Break - In Historic, College Park, Georgia

This bathroom toilet was installed in the barn-bathroom in a turn of the century home in College Park, Georgia. This relic of restroom history has been successfully secured and saved from the landfill.  It is available for sale - but not guaranteed to meet current building codes calling for low-flow!

Not necessarily deconstructed.........

I wanted to share a site I stumbled upon:  "http://weburbanist.com/2009/10/12/adaptive-reuse-15-creative-house-home-conversions/

These homes are truly "repurposed". But I really can't imagine hauling groceries up all the stairs in a "billboard house"........

A 1930's Restroom Break...........

This is at the same restaurant in Houston, mentioned above.....I need to do more research on these doors (as The Deconstructed House currently has a great selection of these doors currently for sale - ranging from $25-$50). I've haven't yet seen these doors as individual, stall doors, and if I do, I will be careful photographing in a public restroom setting......promise! I think that would be a great use for them. From my experience working with single family residential houses in Atlanta, I believe they were commonly installed in the 1930's. They are incredibly heavy, durable, and often found with multiple layers of paint (sometimes lead). Our services can include the safe removal and legal disposal of lead paint, prior to purchase. This is important, particularly if young children will be in proximity to the pieces.

Love it, love it, love it......

Why do old things look so cool? On a recent visit to Houston, I couldn't help but take photos of the decor at the Pappacito's. I thought it was limited to the exterior, which was lovingly clad in recovered and repurposed sheet metals and recycled wood sidings. However, the interior featured solid, five-panel doors and a number of other architectural salvage pieces on walls, ceilings, etc.  The patio was nothing other than fabulous (and so were the margs). The space that was created from the solid bricks and the other exterior pieces created the most comfortable, warm, and inviting space. I just know I spent more money because we stayed so long there, enjoying the atmosphere.

I contend that these classic spaces, with re-use of classic materials and lines will withstand time. I hope that they will be recognized as not only as sustainable practices of recycling "good old stuff", but as wise business decisions in which greater economies are created in spaces where people spend more money!

Clockwise from left - solid brick patio entrance, old rail install and example of exterior siding at Pappacito's in Houston.

Deconstructing.....constructively

Another brick skimming project - but we left the bricks for the owners onsite. They have plans to build a garden on the site where the house was located, and plan on using the bricks in the landscape. I got to use a pink excavator! Very fitting for a woman owned business.......

The Deconstructed House - Bricks Bricks Bricks.......

The Deconstructed House highlights the efforts of repurposing and reusing building materials encountered in typical demolition projects.  The following brick ranch, built in the early 1950's in Sandy Springs, was originally constructed from recycled bricks!  We continue the tradition, despite being a true labor of love:

Here is the "before":

an "after-brick-strip":

 

the "load-out":

and "bricks' new life":

This small patio was constructed in the backyard of another house in Sandy Springs. If you are interested in purchasing bricks, they are currently available. Please contact gina at 404-931-1173 if you are interested.