Eastern Market

Oh how I do love Eastern Market! I love the handmade wares, the organic fruits and fresh-cut flowers, and the history of the buildings and tradition. I love the people watching, and catching up with neighbors. I love browsing, just to browse... for no other reason than because it's a gorgeous, crisp Sunday morning, I have a cup a hot tea in one hand, and newest issue of the Hill Rag, tucked in the other.


So when a devastating fire ripped through the historic South Hall last April, I have to say that I was actually not surprised at the genuine outpouring of support from the Capitol Hill community, and surrounding DC neighborhoods to help rebuild the Hall. Countless supporters felt the love for this institution that I, too, share. Operating for 134 years, Eastern Market, has come to stand as a symbol of this city's history, creativity, and community commerce. So, I guess I just wanted to say, that as a strong supporter of restoration and continued appreciation of historic places, it is my sincere hope that Eastern Market is rebuilt withstand 134+ more...


Just some great architectural salvage and antiques for the home, from last weekend's visit to the Flea Market at Eastern Market...



(Images by RowHouse, Decal by Rebuild Eastern Market)

Old architectural stars

As evident in the header design of RowHouse - I'm obsessed with old stars! To me, they say classic, American, old, and beautiful. What else could be better? Growing up near Old Town, Alexandria I became accustomed to seeing these old solid metal stars on just about every home exterior, especially old rowhouses. Now, I enjoy walking around Capitol Hill looking at these and other architectural details.

Here's a bit of history for why they were actually very useful: Tie rods and these star-shaped "washers" were often used to connect the gable walls of masonry structures. The floor joists would hold the weight bearing walls from spreading, so these were often the solution for the non-load bearing walls.

Design idea: Collect a bunch of these stars in different sizes. You can find them at just about any salvage shop. Find some large nails, and nail through the hole in the center to hang on a wall - hang several. If you are using tiny stars, you could even use a thin piece of rope, twine, or ribbon to hang frames, with/out photos in them. ...Or simply just prop up on a mantel or shelf.

(images via flickr)

Martha's Vineyard: salvage and antiques

While out on a run one morning I came across this neat salvage/antique shop called Above Board, located in Oak Bluffs... I came back later that afternoon, and was totally amazed at the neat treasures in this nice gentleman's shop. He explained to us the history behind the fish mounted to the wall ... we chatted about loving claw foot tubs (we have an original one in our rowhouse). And he was very kind to let me take some photos. If you are ever in that area, it's a must-see shop, filled with gems found all over the Vineyard.

I really like the Menemsha Fish Market sign (below the fish) - I didn't even realize that until looking at these photos. We had lobster bisque and seafood chowder there one day, so I'm smitten with that little harbor.

John really liked this old ticket booth. ...sigh... if only we had the space. Oh, right, and a way to get it home. The owner did say that they ship some of the smaller items. I need to check in with their website from time to time.

(images by RowHouse)

5-Panel Door Art

My friend, Rachael, created this neat piece of art out of an old 5-panel door that she found next to a dumpster! Seriously, who throws away these things!!!?? So glad that she salvaged it!

She and her husband had lived in the Pacific Northwest for a few years before moving back to the DC area. When she thought about creating this piece, she took a good deal of time to plan out the theme. And to see her face light up when she talks about their time out West, I can understand why the area was a natural inspiration - the landscape and scenery, who wouldn't appreciate capturing that beauty? She choose her own photographs of the Olympic Peninsula, the Seattle market, the Cascade Mountains, and wildflowers in the Alpine Lake region of the Cascade Mtns. She printed photos, and then layered them {so some are thicker than others}, collaged together and then glued down with craft adhesive. Few coats of red paint and.... awesome! I love that she kept the door hardware.

Rachael is such a creative talent - always thinking of new ways to view familiar items, especially those dear to her heart. Oh, and she also does terrific graphic design - check out her site: rachaelhamm.com

Luckett's Antiques near Leesburg

So anyone who knows me knows that my #1 favorite antique shop is Luckett's - just outside of Leesburg, VA. A bunch of my girlfriends and family love this shop too. Anytime one of us sees a cute antique item in each other's homes... the question always asked is, "did you find that at Lucketts?" Chances are, they probably did.

Without fail, whenever I visit, I cannot leave without finding something interesting or beautiful to bring home with me. Dressers, mantles, chairs, rod iron garden furniture, wicker, old frames, hardware, old signs, beds, and so much more. The fine ladies that run this shop, as well as the 20+ antique dealers which supply the wares, have uncovered some of the neatest pieces in their travels. Some need a little TLC, and other pieces they have restored beautifully. And their prices are extremely fair, I must say... being the bargain hunter that I am.


My favorite time to visit is in the fall when they regularly put out hot apple cider... I can't think of a more pleasant way to spend a crisp October saturday. Lucky for me, John loves to visit Luckett's too. He found a cool old ladder one time - something that he had wanted for awhile. Of course it was the first thing he spotted when we drove up. Last summer, when our dog was a young pup and I couldn't leave him for more than a few hours, I just brought him with me to walk around the exterior.

(images from luckett's and flickr)

Look in the Attic

I just discovered this site for architectural hardware and vintage tableware - Look in the Attic. Wish I had known about them 2 years ago! I had a difficult time finding four matching air registers for our rowhouse. The size was unusual. Eventually I found some rusty ones (that I cleaned up) in a little shop in Frederick, MD... but this would have made searching a whole lot easier. Love these knobs...
How cute would these be on a painted black dresser?

I remembered seeing this lovely transformation (below) in a Cottage Living earlier this year. I think this might be my next furniture project... now, if only I had a place to put it!

(images from Look in the Attic and Cottage Living)

Housewerks Salvage: Baltimore

My photographer friend Becky sent me this great tip about Housewerks Salvage in Baltimore. From Becky: "Jen, have you ever been here? Your head might pop off if you go... everything is completely incredible!" She said that it might be on the pricier side for some pieces, but it appears to be so worth it if you spot that special salvage find.

Here is the info from their site: "HOUSEWERKS specializes in unusual and carefully selected architectural antiques, industrial salvage, and one of a kind finds.

Emphasis is on pre-World War II decorative building materials including mantels, plumbing fixtures, entry doors, garden elements, stained glass, and decorative ironwork.

Serving designers, renovators, homeowners, architects, and the film industry, the 8,000 sf Valve House is a constantly changing mix of architectural elements and decorative objects. Whether you are looking for a period appropriate entry door or just something special and unexpected for your home or workspace Housewerks is where the search begins."

Becky is right... I really think my head would actually pop off. I have to get here soon!


(Images from Housewerks Salvage)
Thanks for the tip Becky... can't wait to check it out!

Caravati's: architectural salvage

A good number of my college girlfriends live in Richmond, VA now, and I have to say they are so unbelievably lucky to live near this great architectural salvage warehouse called Caravati's! I could spend 4 hours wandering around in there, and still not see everything. They have rescued old doors, sinks, tubs, iron work, cobble stone, lighting, mantels, radiators, balusters, banisters, stained glass windows, and hardwood flooring. And all very reasonably priced.

I am excited to announce that this month they launched a Caravati's eBay store as well - hooray! Now I can shop online from DC, and then just hop down 95 if I spot something.


**If you know of any other architectural salvage shops, send me the link. I have a few more from the DC/Baltimore area that I plan to feature later this month...

(Images from Caravati's)