But some argue that if a building is going to be lost anyway, better to save what you can. Vancouver heritage consultant Donald Luxton says: “I am a purist about how we maintain our authentic heritage buildings,” he says, “but I see no reason why we can’t reuse historic items.”
Mr. Luxton believes “the tide has turned” on preservation legislatively, but adds that “financial incentives remain limited. When you compare our federal programs to the other G8 countries, our lack of financial incentives is an embarrassment.”
Still, the preservationist’s loss is the restorer’s gain. A visitor to Cobourg’s Legacy in search of reusable items will find everything from vintage doors, windows, hardware, leaded stained glass, lighting, flooring, plumbing fixtures, roofing, shutters, signs and stairs, to pillars and posts.
Leaded stained glass is a significant subcategory of windows. Paul Singleton, co-owner of the Stonehouse of Campbellville, boasts the biggest supply in Canada. Mr. Singleton scours Britain to add to his collection at his location north of Hamilton, where he carries everything from small, single-colour panes to 20-foot giants.
How should one go about stitching these noble relics into a restoration or new-build project?
When they purchased their 19th-century Port Hope house, Mr. Caswell and his wife spent the first year developing a plan, before they began to remove the 1970s-era “schlock” it contained.
He suggests that would-be restorers tour salvage places such as Legacy, as well as well-preserved period homes, such as those in pioneer villages or serving as museums.
Once decisions have been made, he says, it’s time to hire an architect who can make your ideas work.
While salvage operations represent rich storehouses for those seeking the right pieces for their project, where do operators find supplies? Mr. Kraumanis visits Europe, Quebec and the United States to replenish his stock, but says many suppliers come to him.
“Every day, I get five people pulling up with pickups full of items.”
He’s always on the lookout for unusual pieces, as well as doors, hardware and lighting fixtures, which are among his bestsellers.
Mr. Kraumanis calculates that 10 per cent of his merchandise is purchased for film and TV sets. He’s supplied pieces for movies such as Cinderella Man, Chicago and numerous horror flicks, and once provided 30 desks to a film producer who wanted to replicate a vintage police squad room.
Home design diva Sarah Richardson is a regular. And restaurateurs account for another 15 per cent. But most clients are homeowners looking for that special piece.
Special to The Globe and Mail
