Friday, December 28, 2012

I got junk for Christmas!

I got what every girl dreams of for Christmas - a garage full of junk! More precisely, it's a garage full of architectural salvage and it's totally awesome!
 
 
And of course this junk comes with a story, so let's start at the beginning. About a week before Christmas, my husband and I headed out for a last bit of Christmas shopping. On the way, he said he wanted to make a quick stop. His company was about to tear down an old house and he just wanted to be sure the site was ready. When we pulled up to the site, I saw the excavator first.
 
 
It took me a few seconds to actually take notice of the house. "Seriously, you're tearing this down?" I was out of that car in a flash!
 
 
Do you see what I see?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kevin walked the property and I peeked in all the windows. "Can we go inside?" He called his construction manager and found out that he had taken the key home with him and we wouldn't be able to get inside until the next day and that's when the house was coming down. I told myself that was probably for the best as I had a million and one things to do before Christmas. Rescuing architectural salvage was definitely not on my to do list just days before Christmas. Sigh!
 
 
The next day it was cold, rainy and just plain nasty outside. I was all cozy and warm baking cookies. Kevin called me from work and says that it was too muddy to work at the job site and did I still want to see the inside of the house. I turned off the oven, grabbed my boots and headed out the door, camera in hand of course. And the very first thing I saw when I pulled up to the house was Kevin pulling the shutters off the front porch. Now that's my guy!
 
 
And as expected, the inside of the house was pretty sad.
 
 
 
Yes, the vines were growing through the windows!
 
 

And sadly, the furniture was way beyond repair - broken and covered in mold!
 
 
 
 
But I was really intrigued with the doors and the hardware.
 
 
Supposedly the last residents had been college students.
 
 
 
Many of the walls were covered with graffiti. Just don't read it too closely!
 
 
It was clear that at one time this had been a lovely home. I loved exploring it. But Kevin had to get back to work. I had to get back to my cookies. The house was freezing. We didn't have any tools with us and we were not dressed for deconstruction. So sadly I left with just the two shutters from the front porch. The next day, the house came tumbling down. Kevin said the guys managed to save me a few of the porch posts if I was interested. At that point I may have mentioned a time or two (or three or four) that if he ever tears down another house, I expect advance notice and first dibs!!! Sigh!
 

A few days later it was the morning of Christmas Eve and Kevin wanted to deliver the porch posts to our storage garage. What? I thought he was crazy. The kids were home and it was Christmas Eve for goodness sakes! Well after much begging, prodding and getting the kids involved, we all headed to the garage. Quite honestly, I complained the whole way there!
 
 
Then the garage door opened and you guessed it, Kevin's guys had saved much more than the porch posts!
 
 
He said they did their very best to save as many architectural pieces as possible. I know they don't read my blog, but thanks guys!
 
 
 
These shutters were found in the basement of the house in great condition.
 
 
And yes, my junk had little red bows on it!
 
 
How cute is that?
 
 
Rust can be so sweet!
 
 
 
I just love the doors!
 
 
And today, I felt the need to drive by the job site and check it out. You can't even tell there was ever a house there. But I have some wonderful bits and pieces that were saved and will find their way to a brand new life!


I feel a bit silly for not figuring out what was up on Christmas Eve. I know I've mentioned it before, but I'm definitely married to one of the good guys. I'm a lucky girl! And on the way home from the garage, the snow started. I've already shared the story of our White Christmas here. Like I said, it was magical! Sigh!
 
 

45 comments:

Doreen @ Hymns and Verses said...

I'm speechless and envious! You lucky girl!!! I can hardly imagine a better Christmas gift! It is sad that beautiful house was let go like that, but wonderful that you have pieces of it to repurpose!

Korrie@RedHenHome said...

That is totally, completely, awesome! Love the bows ;-) You're going to have such fun with your new treasures!

regan said...

I would have been sobbing when he opened that garage door! How sweet of his crew to save you all those great pieces (LOVE the iron work!). And to put bows on it all! Aaaaah! So great! Yep....I'd have been crying a like a big baby!

Hopefully you sent some cookies to his crew! :o)

Sherry at The Rusty Pearl said...

I loved this and I Would of loved to of restored that old house.. Just loved it and saw some sweet potential in that one..... I loved all your JUNK for Christmas and this post................. HUGs and I just love this BLOG ... look forward to it ............

Old Time Cindy said...

Your hubby is a keeper! What a wonderful guy to do that for you!
Farmhouse hugs,
Cindy

Unknown said...

Oh Sharon - I devoured this post like chocolate lol.
Would have given anything to wander around in that house - and would have given even more to buy it and restore it!
Those dressers looked like Larkins - gorgeous - and all that stash you got? Absolutely priceless - lucky lucky you!
Hugs,
Suzan

Mariella said...

OMG!! you are lucky!!! I wish my husband was thoughtful like that!!! good on ya!
I feel like if I just read a Xmas {crafty}story!
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Sarah Yoder said...

What a great Christmas gift! :) Can't wait to see all of what you do with it! (Happy New Year)

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

Oh My GOODNESS!! I don't know which is more beautiful, the salvaged pieces or the fact that your husband rescued them and then thought to put bows on everything!!

Ramblings of a Southern Girl ~ Rhonda G said...

What a wonderful Christmas present, ...junk ...I can't think of anything better! :) And how sweet of your husband to save those great pieces for you!

Anne said...

You are a lucky girl! How sweet to go back and get more wonderful vintage pieces! I would have gone crazy wanting all of that too!Now I can't wait to see what you do with it all! Have fun playing!
xx
Anne

Donna@anangloinquébec said...

Wow, a keeper....I would say we better clone that guy. Never believed in cloning before but I do now!!

Unknown said...

Sharon - Yes, you are one lucky girl! Great fun ahead for you. Patti @ OldThingsNew
http://patricia-krank.blogspot.com

Fabrizia F. said...

Wow... what a great story! Love the red bows! And yes... you have a great husband! ;-)

Good Time Charlie said...

Elizabeth, this is just the sweetest Christmas story. What a cute husband! I love the little red bows on the junk too! How wonderful that pieces of a once a beautiful house will go on to live another life in new ways. I have to say, it made me a little sad to see a beautiful house like that fall into such disrepair, but I was heartened to see that so much of it was saved! Thanks for sharing. -K

Not Too Shabby said...

AWESOME!! You got my kind of presents and with a bow to boot!! Can't wait to see your goodies up close.

Not Too Shabby said...

AWESOME!! You got my kind of presents and with a bow to boot!! Can't wait to see your goodies up close.

Shari @ turnstylevogue.com said...

I love the little red bow. Amazing gifts that only few understand, right? Happy New Year to you!!

Ali Richardson said...

Aww, such a great story! You are married to a good one :) Merry Chrismtas! can't wait to see what you do with all of that "junk."

Dawn said...

What wonderful gifts, I love all that was salvaged. I bet you are jumping for joy. It was a very Merry Christmas for you:)

Allison@FabRehab said...

Dripping with jealousy!!! Good for you and good for Kevin! Wooohooo!

Anonymous said...

What a perfect Christmas gift!

Our Pinteresting Family said...

Awesome, Sharon! I am so glad you found so many treasures! :)

Deneen@dreaming-n-color said...

What a great discovery and an awesome gift. The red bows were a great touch! I love the cutouts and door.

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

What a sweetheart! He did a great job!!! Love.

Christine said...

Oh sweet sweet Sharon... Your Hubby is a KEEPER!! My goodness what great gifts!! The house was just tooooo gorgeous! I can't believe someone just left it to deteriorate :( So sad! But I'm so very happy you got some great pieces from it!

Cristina Garay said...

Oh WOW! What a perfect present! So many treasures! Can't wait to see what you do with them!
Happy New Year Sharon!

Bliss said...

Lets here it for the boys!

Bliss

Patty said...

Wow. Wow. And WOW ! A wonderful Pillage Palace! A shame to see it torn down, but lucky you for getting all that good stuff. What a nice hubby you have! Tell him we said so! Happy New Year!

Danylle McLain said...

What a fantastic gift! I would be thrilled. Those rusty railings are beautiful.

Julia @ 551Eastdesign said...

Lucky you!! And what a sweet husband you have! Those little red bows are such a sweet touch,

NanaDiana said...

Oh- Wow! What a great find- I am so glad the guys got what they did out of there. What a great Christmas present- xo Diana

Unknown said...

Oh Sharon! How the visions were just dancing around in your head. Beautiful pieces you got, I can't wait to see what you do with them.

Cyndi ✪ Blue Star said...

Isn't that every junker's dream?? First dibs on architectural salvage!! Jealous and so happy for you! Can't wait to see what you do with it all!

Stacey said...

You are blessed....what a sweet heart he is;) i can't wait to see what all you do with it. I got a little bit of junk for Christmas myself! I told my daughter & her boyfriend not to buy us gifts (they are young & struggling...we had rather have time with them than gifts). This was their first Christmas together & he seems perfect for her. He is a super sweet guy & they surprised us on Christmas with an old rusty milk can...it is huge & heavy & I may have squealed & done a happy dance when I saw it! They even had a huge red bow on it!!! I was touched by his thoughtfulness & that he has taken an interest & paid attention to what I like...he is going to be a wonderful son-in-law someday!!!!

Emily @ The Diligent One said...

Love this! And, I can't wait to see what you do with all of this Christmas "junk". :)

Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement said...

OMG! What GREAT gifts! What a thoughtful bunch of guys to take the time to get the pieces out before tearing it down.
I'm looking forward to your posts about what you do with your new treasures.

Happy New Year!
Pam

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

you sure are a lucky girl, and that kevin's a keeper for sure! :) so happy for you Sharon, you know we're all green with envy!
Happy New Year!
gail

Unknown said...

How awesome! What a great Christmas gift. :) Have fun with it and can't wait to see what you create!

Happy New Year,

Amy
www.homesweetthriftyhome.blogspot.com

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

Wow, what a beautiful story of love and salvage. One of the good guys indeed!

I think that decorative metal is amazing and that door and doorknob are quite a score. It's all wonderful. What fun you will have with all of that!

Happy New Year!
Liz

Hetty said...

What a story Sharon! I know the feeling though, my husband renovates old homes and many times I try to save bits and pieces.

Tuula @ Thrifty Rebel Vintage said...

What a wonderful story Sharon! You are a lucky girl... and I just love the bows!! I live in an old house and have always had a soft spot for them. I'm so glad that some of it was saved. Looking forward to seeing what you do with all that great stuff.
Tuula :)

Diane | An Extraordinary Day said...

What a great Christmas love story!!

Unknown said...

Wow! I'm jealous! That's awesome!

Noble Vintage said...

you are sooooo lucky!!! what great stuff! Happy New year, Sharon :)