Antique salvage hunting is a regular pastime for me. The hunt can be frustrating when you don’t have access to materials to upcycle.
Creating something eclectic — keeping expenses down is key. Quality resources are hard to find in abundance in one place.
This Saturday, I ventured down to urban miners with Juliano Barrotti. Urban Miners — located at 30 Manila Avenue off Dixwell Avenue in Hamden, CT. Sometimes, the simple is a difficult find. Looking for a hinge or an antique door? Building a table with salvaged barnwood? This is the only place in Connecticut you can find treasures at a reasonable prices.
Add eclectic furniture, fixtures or odd ball found objects — bonus round.
The best part — repurposing from the past instead of buying new. If you’re not local and can’t visit in person — urban miners is available online. My suggestion — take a salvage vacation.
Urbanminers Mission Statement
“To promote environmental and social sustainability by salvaging building materials and household goods and selling them at prices affordable to average wage earners, and to support these activities specifically in urban areas, recognizing those locations as essential to the long term sustainability of the economy and culture”.
Images: ©Karl Heine 2011
