dumpster diving; Or how i learned to stop worrying and love the salvage yard

With another weekend upon us we are tempted to sit back, go easy, and with relish topped meal-in-hand grow fat off the previous weeks accomplishments... But the furniture is covered in dust cloths, and the relish still sealed in it's factory heinz bottle so it's out of the house to the architectural salvage yard we go.

For those not "in the know" an architectural salvage store is another word for junk yard. It's like a home depot where all of staff are on a work release program, everything is used and poorly organized -- actually that is the Home Depot on Rhode Island avenue.... It's a place where houses long ago knocked down have had their parts dismembered and sold for scrap - at a tidy profit, long frequented by the Urban Outfitter's display designers and savvy homeowners alike. Popular sites include:

The Brass Knob in DC
Caravatis in Richmond
Second Chance in Baltimore

as you can see, anything can be found - handrails:

newell posts:

balusters, or pickets or whatever these are called...
church pews for the penetant home:
and the philladelphia bus station ticket booth.
indeed, i think you'll agree that it's time to say good bye to the convential front door, and hello to entry via ticket window.