Salvage Operation

I found this in Home Magazine on the web looking for something else. I thought you B model owners might appreciate this the most.


the link is

http://www.homemag.com/article.asp?s...9&print_page=y

I've re-printed it below. I hope that I haven't broken any copyrite laws.
enjoy

Salvage Operation
A homeowner and architect design a new house around objects with a past

By Carolyn Weber
Styled by Elaine Markoutsas
Photographed by Alan Shortall

It all started with a range. When Brad Jeffery was pondering the kitchen design for his new 4,000-square-foot house, there was no question that the vintage Chambers stove (purchased by his grandmother for $350 in 1947) would be the room's centerpiece. The mint-condition family heirloom epitomized the postwar-era vacation-cottage kitchen he had in mind.

The home's location, near the woodsy shores of Lake Michigan, dictated its style?relaxed, but with a dose of history. The small Illinois town began as a Methodist campground in the late 19th century; later, tent meetings gave way to weekend cottages and, eventually, to a year-round community. Jeffery, a 20-year resident, aimed to reclaim a bit of the earlier weekend-resort quality. "I wanted to feel like I was coming home to an old lake house," he says.

He enlisted local architect John Richert of Crossroads Blue Sky to help fulfill his vision. Richert devised a practical, open floor plan highlighted by traditional touches such as an abundance of wood in warm tones and glass-fronted cabinetry.

The kitchen's clean look derives from a pale palette of white?Carrara marble countertops, a porcelain farmhouse sink, subway-style wall tile?and cream-colored recessed-panel cabinets and walls. A reproduction of a classic 1950s refrigerator complements the range. Another piece with historical appeal, a sturdy 1930s oak worktable from a plant owned by Jeffery's family, serves as the island.

The range and the table aren't the only remnants of days gone by? the place is full of salvaged materials. The decorative trim in the dining room is made of reclaimed Douglas fir from a vinegar brewery in Chicago and old pickle barrels from a factory in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The stairs were fabricated from old barn wood, and the maple flooring throughout the house came from a school gymnasium. "Some pieces even had the original basketball-court markings on them," says Richert. "When they were first installed, we could still see bits of the free-throw lines."

By reusing old materials, the homeowner gained a bit of breathing room in his budget, saving over $6,000 on the flooring materials and, in the process, endowed his home with both architectural character and ecological correctness.
Jeffery also economized by ordering the birch kitchen cabinets unfinished (as well as several of the bathroom vanities) and having them painted on site. "This was less expensive, and it provided a more authentic, aged look than the factory finish would have," says Richert.

The entire project, which took over six months to plan and a year to build, was a labor of love for Jeffery, who says that the range is his favorite part of the house. "It brings back great memories of my dad cooking bacon and pancakes on Saturday mornings," he says. "And now I do the same thing for my kids."

in the know: reclaimed materials

Urban Evolutions supplied most of the reclaimed materials in Brad Jeffery's house. The 10-year-old Appleton, Wisconsin, company, run by husband and wife Jeff and Robin Janson, specializes in removing and selling materials from structures that are already condemned, as well as creating new furniture and millwork from old wood. "Aesthetically, reclaimed materials can be amazing," says Jeff. "There's nothing like the warm character and feel they create." But he and his customers are also keenly aware of the environmental benefits. "There are so many barns that are in heaps,? he says, "and that wood can either go into a landfill or into people's homes." Because salvage items come in so many irregular sizes and styles, each installation process is unique and can lead to expensive labor costs. The most important thing is to hire a contractor who appreciates and understands the nuances of the process and is experienced in working with them. Jeff suggests scouring the Internet or eBay for salvage outfits. "It may take some time," he cautions, "but if you can't find that unique heat-register cover or those extra-wide floorboards, don't give up?they're out there."

Here is the photo Gallery from this article

Salvage Operation 1

http://static.flickr.com/24/10271801...aa6718.jpg?v=0

The exterior is reminiscent of old lake cottages in this region, with its two screen porches and third-floor lookout topped by Old Glory.

Salvage Operation 2

http://static.flickr.com/28/10271801...6bba1d.jpg?v=0

Homeowner Brad Jeffery kept almost everything in the kitchen white: the porcelain farmhouse sink, glossy subway tiles, and marble counters. Reproduction schoolhouse light fixtures and a baker?s-glass pendant over the island complete the old-fashioned theme.

Salvage Operation 3

http://static.flickr.com/33/10271801...40c384.jpg?v=0

The 91/2-foot dining room ceiling is adorned with stained beadboard trimmed with salvaged planks (all Douglas fir). The distinctive pattern overhead echoes the circular shape of the custom table below, also made from Douglas fir.

Salvage Operation 4

http://static.flickr.com/42/10271801...31bf80.jpg?v=0

The 1947 Chambers range inspired the kitchen design. Above it, a vintage exhaust fan commands attention. "It's actually a new fan with an old aluminum cover," says architect John Richert, who found it in a property he purchased during the Jeffery house construction.

Salvage Operation 5

http://static.flickr.com/27/10271802...20a836.jpg?v=0

Glass inserts in the upper cabinets reinforce the visual link between the kitchen and dining room. The wooden stairs, newel post, and large mirror framed with old tin tiles are just a sampling of the reclaimed items in this new house.

I hope you'v enjoyed this article,

Frank
Western Springs, IL
Owner of a 90C from Iowa

Absolutely enjoyed reading it and the many pics!!

I loved reading this article & seeing the photos. Thanks for posting!

Frank:

Great! Thanks for posting.

JOe

I am taken by the simple beauty of that fan in the wall. I wonder if that actually works? I have that exact same fan - came with the hood that came with Beauty. I have been feeling a bit stuck about the hood - maybe this would work for me...

I loved the article and the pictures. Since I have started losing my vision I haven't been able to really browse the home dec. magazines as in the past. I was interested in the fan also. We have a very high ceiling, 22 feet, and so an exhaust fan and hood was a big consideration, especially since we have a rock exterior wall. Considered for a time venting to garage below, but finally decided to run is out front. It fit just between the top of the porch and the roof, unnoticeable. The pipe was hidden by the top of the cabinets.
I always forget to turn the fan on...V

Thanks Frank...Laura and I have the exact same stove and our intent is to have it as the center piece of our restored (newe project)late 40s knotty pine kitchen and dining room . These pics gave us both new ideas! Thank you for posting! Pete

My kitchen currently has a round exhaust fan in the ceiling in front of the cabinets above the stove. I think it was original to my 1955 house. I use it all the time. It works quite well.

Frank
Owner of a Chambers 90C from Iowa

Maybe Han could address the practicality of the simple round exhaust fan. I too thought it looked great.

Dear Ha,
You were gone during this post and some of us are very interested in putting up this sort of exhaust fan. I makes such a lovely picture. I even happen to have the (almost) exact same fan! We want to know what you think - I just read your response to Lowracer this AM and it reminded me.

Mahalo,

I have a very similar exhaust fan in my kitchen and believe it is a hallmark to kitchen design of the era. A true vintage kitchen is complete only when a similar fan is installed. Finding this type of fan is one of the most difficult things to do ! These were manufactured in both metal and plastic, the plastics tend to be high quality, are very washable and serviceable. The missing component is the little locking mechanism that holds the chain pull inplace, those usually get lost but can be fabricated locally.

Asfan,
Did you notice the vintage frig too??
The Chambers & the frig just seems to complete the charm & details of this kitchen.

Berlyn
PS When my mom wins the lotto, I'm having you come down to Texas to design my kitchen like this. I'll make sure it's winter so you can enjoy the weather. It's going to be sunny and 80 today!!Leave the cowboy outfit at home!!

My Fan came with the copper hood that came with my Beauty. It is supposed to be hardwired and has no pull chain. This person (with the lovely kitchen) says he just used the fan face over a modern fan.

Someone on this site recently asked where a fan like this could be obtained. I believe I know of one - it was a bathroom exhaust fan and belongs to one of my instructors. Please email me and I'll try to hook you up.