Friday, August 1, 2008

A Visit to the "Old House Depot"

Yesterday I drove to Jackson, Mississippi, which is about 45 minutes away and went to a couple of flea markets and a large antique mall. I want to share some pictures of those with you and also a couple of things I bought, but in this post I'd like to tell you about the last place I visited, which was the most unique. It is an architectural salvage warehouse called "The Old House Depot."





And like the sign says, it is literally crammed
full of all kinds of "cool old stuff."











With the outside temperature hovering in the upper 90s, it had to be 95 in that old warehouse, but I was so fascinated by what I saw, I didn't even mind.

So many old architectural pieces are being used in decorating these days and my original plan was to look for some old "weathered" shutters to use in a landscaping project. After asking permission, I rambled through the aisles with my camera trying to capture some of the character of the old treasures I saw ... and there were many. (You can click on the pictures to enlarge them, if you'd like)

I love this elegant old bathtub with its iron feet ...

And this pedestal tub ...

There were also sinks in all sizes, shapes, and styles ...

Isn't the one in the center of this picture cute.
It reminds me of a little baby bathtub ...

I love stained glass and especially like the
colors in the two panels on the right ...

I like these shutters for my landscaping project,
but may look some more before getting them.

It would never do to buy the first ones I see ... right?

More shutters ...

If I had had $1,500, two strong guys to carry her, and a place
to put her, I'd have bought this pretty iron mermaid ...

Old mantels are always in demand and they
had a lot of old ones and some that had been refinished, too ...

I think this is the tallest mantel I've ever
seen, and isn't the rich dark wood beautiful ...

Korbels or balusters, anyone ?


If you love old hardware, I'm sure you would enjoy browsing through this collection of beautiful old drawer pulls and porcelain and glass doorknobs. Notice the octagonal-shaped porcelain knobs in the center picture ...



After admiring the hardware, I continued exploring and found a multitude of unique old doors and columns ...





Another popular decorating item these days
is iron, and they had lots of it ...



Aren't these old rusty metal lawn chairs neat! ...

Benches are always a nice touch.

I love the aqua one in this picture, and
wish I had a place for that little one ...

I enjoyed exploring the "Old House Depot," and would love to know the history of some of the things I saw ... like the mermaid, and the tall mantel, and the beautiful stained glass panels. I'd like to know where the octagonal porcelain doorknobs came from ... and who owned the houses those beautiful old bathtubs were in. I may go back someday and visit with the owner. Perhaps he could tell me the stories behind some of these beautiful old pieces of architecture from days gone by.

If you're ever in the Jackson, Mississippi, area, I think it would be worth your time to stop by "The Old House Depot" and take a step back in time.

Sincerely,

11 comments:

Julie @ Sweet Chaos said...

I really do love reading your blog and looking at your pictures. My parents have an older home & my father works in building restoration so salvage is in my blood. Your taste is so close to my own, I adore the things you pick out. Hope you don't take this offensively, but when I grow up I want to be just like you! Well, when my kids grow up anyways! Take care--Julie

bj said...

Hi, Sweet Janie,
I have ALWAYS wanted to go to a place like this but haven't been lucky enuf to find one yet. Our town doesn't have one and we are very far away from the big cities like Dallas, Houston and Galveston... I know you must have enjoyed every minute of going thru all these treasures.
I can't wait to see what you bought and how you will use it. Your beautiful home is so tastefully done and you have marvelous ideas!
Hope your weekend is great!
bj

Jill said...

Oh boy oh BOY! I really want to go there and visit...I am looking for a mantel for the new house. I loved absolutely everything! How lucky for you to get to visit that wonderful place!
~Jill

Anonymous said...

Hi Janie! Wow what a fantastic place. I would be lost in decorating heaven for days in there! Your photos are excellent by the way - I couldn't tell you what my favorite things were but I saw many many things and the ideas just kept coming! I'll bet you had the same experience while looking yesterday! What a fun day. Really enjoyed your post! Have a great weekend - Sincerely, Jeannette

Anonymous said...

Me again Janie! Forgot to ask, did you get your shutters? Jeannette

PAT said...

Hi Janie
Do you know I'm going to do when I leave here? I'm going to mapquest Jackson Mississippi from our town! Yes indeedy do. I'd love to visit this great place. It's wonderful and you've done a fabulous job of capturing it in your photos!

Pat

3CHEERS4MOM said...

Hi Janie, I would have loved to be a mouse in you pocket on this adventure! I have always wanted to go to a resale place like this. There is one in San Antonio, I just found out about. Will let you know what I lug home. Hope you have a great weekend. -Amy

nikkicrumpet said...

Hey Janie!

First let me wipe up the drool pool that I created going through those pictures. I WANT THAT TEAL DOOR!!!!!!!!!!!!! I kept oohing and ahhhing and lusting...lots of lusting! What an amazing place...I wonder what my husband would say if I told him I needed to make a quick trip to Mississippi?? I'd thank you for the pictures but it was sort of like dangling chocolate in front of me and then snatching it away lol. And thanks ever so much for visiting my new blog. It's been so cool catching up with old friends from RMS and meeting new friends....BLOGLAND IS THE BEST! And I'm sure gonna add this stop to my daily blog travel!

Unknown said...

Hi Janie,
Next time I'm in Jackson, I'll have to go there!
I'm like you...it would be interesting to know where the mermaid was! And that tall mantle...I can't imagine where it would have been. Very unusual stuff.

I'm looking forward to seeing your purchases and other pictures of your shopping.

If Pat does come to Jackson, wouldn't it be fun to meet her? I haven't actually met any blogging ladies, but I feel like I'm getting to know all of you better with each day.

Thanks for such an informative post!
Have a great weekend,
Diane

Karin said...

That Mermaid is the best!!! Someday I would love to build a home and use as much architectural salvage pieces as I could use. That would be so much better than living in another drafty old house. That way, you get the best of both worlds. This was fun! Thanks for sharing.

Trixi said...

I live about 35 miles N. of Brandon. I am going to be looking this place up and visiting it!!!
Thank you for sharing.