Architectural Salvage and More Cool Old Stuff – Recycling The Past

Since I've been talking about "cool old stuff" places - head down the road a few blocks from Unshredded Nostalgia to Recycling The Past if you need something old and cool that is bigger than a bread box.

Here you will discover a cache of unique architectural salvage, vintage fixtures, tile, doors and more. This Barnegat NJ outpost is a great place to explore when searching for antique and funky old architectural pieces for your home or business.

At the Hacienda we love our seafoam green tiled bathroom with canary yellow sink and bathtub, but were devastated when the yellow toilet stopped working and we had to replace it. You can't imagine how difficult it is to find vintage yellow bathroom fixtures, and with this being the only bathroom in the house, we didn't have a lot of time to wait for the perfect one. We settled for a cream colored one and got a pal to install it (the night before our big Christmas party no less!)

Had we known about Matt White and his property filled with repurposed and recycled items we might have been able to find a matching commode, and definitely have his family owned place in mind when we add an all important pink powder room to the Hacienda!

I spent way too long in the hot sun participating in what felt like the coolest suburban archeological dig ever, and I know I didn't get to see all of the great things that are displayed and hidden around the yard.

Their inventory may include at any time,

"Architectural antiques, mantles, stained glass windows, lighting fixtures (both interior and exterior), iron gates, and fencing, garden implements such as furniture, urns, statuary, and fountains...newel posts, gingerbread, molding, Victorian pieces, porches, and doors, doors, and more doors as well as windows, plumbing fixtures, columns, and hardware"

He didn't mention feisty chipmunks or gigantic pieces of glass, but I found 'em!

I call this one: WhatareYOUlookinat??

While roaming the land trying to figure out what we might "need" for the Hacienda I stumbled upon a house, and since it looked like it might be open, I entered. I was met with not only a refreshing blast of air conditioning, but also friendly proprietor Matt White. We had a lovely chat about antiquing, thrifting, Brimfield and more and it was great to speak with someone so enthusiastic about what he's doing - traveling all over the place and collecting the leftover pieces of demolished architectural gems and everyday places.

(There I go getting that Beneath The Planet of the Apes vibe again!)

One thing that was not revealed to me until I got home and checked out the Recycling The Past website, was that they had been able to salvage many items and pieces from La Ronda a beautiful castle of a home which graced Bryn Mawr PA from 1929 - 2009 ( and is now an infamous example of a senseless teardown by someone who has more money than kindness in their hearts).

While I am devastated that this architectural beauty is no longer with us, I am glad that some of it was able to be spared, and that some folks will hopefully enjoy some of the items that were able to be saved.

So if you live in a house as small as our little Spanish Hacienda, a mansion like La Ronda or somewhere in between, Recycling the past is your source for authentic old architectural details, fixtures and one of a kind decor pieces. Now about that pink powder room....!