COTE DE TEXAS: Reclaimed Building Materials

Reclaimed Building Materials



I'm currently reading, well, really looking at the pictures in, Building with Reclaimed Materials, published by Beta-Plus, 2007. If you are interested in how you could build a new house and have it look like it is 200 years old, this book is for you. I'm fascinated with that concept because my husband only likes new construction and I prefer old homes. So, using reclaimed materials such as old roof tiles, antique tiles for backsplashes, used flagstones for the floor, to make a new construction house look old is very intriguing.


Ruth Gay thinks the same way. Several years ago she opened a shop in Houston called Chateau Domingue which sells reclaimed building materials from France and Europe. Walk into her cavernous warehouse and you will certainly forget you're in Houston. Ruth herself is a pretty, diminutive mother of three, who is tres chic, of course. Her web site is gorgeous, as is her warehouse, filled with all kinds of building materials and antiques. Here are a few images from the web site. Amusez-vous en regardant ces peintures!




Gay sells antique window surrounds and door surrounds. A pair of these on the exterior of your house will age it by 200 years.

Gay also sells an assortment of concrete garden elements, to be used inside or outside as you desire.


Imagine your roof made from reclaimed tiles from France. It sure would stand out on the block.

Here's an antique fountain or animal trough, you decide.



A pair of these on opposite sides of your front door would be wonderful.



An antique shop fixture would make a perfect kitchen cabinet.



Hanging antique lanterns would distinguish any exterior.

How would you like a painted buffet deux corps for a kitchen pantry?



Iron railings would look great on a second story landing.




Original French shutters - leave them this color or paint them khaki.




These sconces are a personal favorite of mine. I'd love them in my dining room.



I wonder how much Gay charges for the blue hydrangeas?

12 comments :

  1. I don't know how I found your blog, but oh, I am so happy I did. What delightful pictures! Thank you for the eye candy! I will be back! :)

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  2. I love this garden frenchie ambiance !!!
    the pictures are wonderful .
    mélanie

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  3. I was delighted to find your blog,it is 12.47am in Australia but I couldn't drag myself away it was all soooo beautiful, if at all possible would love to see some French Cottage ideas,either way have put you in my favourites and will be come back often, thanks again from downunder.

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  4. Ooooh la la! I'm with you - I love anything old and crusty. My husband would be happiest with stark modern. good thing I usually get my way!

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  5. Gorgeous photos as usual! I too love those sconces.

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  6. As well as being beautiful these reclaimed pieces are so eco- friendly. And I think very timely and precious for our environment to re-use and re-cycle. So if husbands object, that would be a good first line of defense. I love everyone of these pieces!!!

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  7. Thanks to all for your great comments. I SO appreciate your support!


    Joni

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  8. I LOVE the sconces! In fact, I've been dying for some along the same look to put in my dining room. If only! (Sigh)

    :D Brin
    www.messythrillinglife.blogspot.com

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  9. I helped found an architectural salvage company about seven years ago. It was always so thrilling to be around when the deliveries came in, and when the pickers stopped by!

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  10. OMG! Lovely! I am bookmarking that site right now!

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  11. Finally got up the nerve to wander around Chateau Domingue this weekend. I figured out why so few homes look like the ones I adore in Veranda and Southern Accents. One glorious piece won't do it; you need at least several to set the mood. After the $29k armoire, there goes the entire room budget. So, your roundtable about what rooms really cost was spot on this weekend!

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