One Man's Trash...

You won't miss the brightly decorated warehouse at 4300 Harrisburg Blvd.

I have always liked looking through people's trash in search of treasure--not literally, but at flea markets and the like. And since becoming an old house owner in 2008 (Ours was built in 1920.), the salvage yard is somewhat of a new discovery to me.

When we added a family room onto our home, I was very particular about using whatever old house parts I could to make the addition look as seamless as possible. Even though the vaulted ceiling might give it away, the doors and floors and most hardware are all the real deal, salvaged from some little old house that met its sad fate to the wrecking ball.

I found two of my doors at a salvage warehouse in Houston that I did not realize at the time was co-founded by my next door neighbor, now a locally famous photographer. Soon after I bought my doors, the Montrose warehouse went out of business, and my project completed.

Now a few years later, the Historic Houston Salvage Warehouse is back up and running, temporarily I think, in Houston's East End, near the up-and-coming "EaDo" section of our city. Last Saturday I took a gander. It is gigantic and--something I didn't expect--dark. But it is chock full of good finds for your home renovation projects or old house repairs.

I ran into a friend who purchased an ornate mantle to add some charm to a blah addition on her house. I like her thinking! While I didn't pick anything up for myself this time, I will be back as my plans to renovate my kitchen percolate.

Historic Houston's Salvage Warehouse is currently open the first Sunday of every month from 10AM-4PM, and membership is $40+. Everything for sale has been donated, rather than sent to the landfills. So keep that in mind, too, when your contractor plans to haul your old stuff away. Don't forget your flashlight, or download an app for that on your smartphone! Now, a few photos to inspire you...

Cool cast iron sinks

My camera's flash disguises how dark it was in this back corner.

I think this is part of an old bathtub fixture.

Great door with transom window and antique hardware

Antique bricks, perfect for a small patio project

These solid wood boards were super heavy! I think they'd make cool shelves.

Tons of reclaimed hardwood floors and windows

Sublime clawfoot tub hiding in the darkness

Divided light window

And finally, a shout out to the kitty lover in me!