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Restoration Resources

Back in 1988, Bill Raymer pursued his appreciation for antiques by going into business salvaging and selling old, beautiful architectural elements. Although the economy has been slow, earlier this year Raymer moved Restoration Resources (1946 Washington Street, Boston, 617.542.3033, restorationresources.com) to a new space that boasts almost 7000 square feet. His large collection is composed of wood and marble mantles, light fixtures, pedestal sinks, bathroom accessories, doorknobs, hinges, and hardware, all dating from 1860 to 1950. "Basically," Raymer says, "I deal in anything decorative or functional that can be salvaged from antique structures." Most of the items he sells are from local sources. Really local, as in the Back Bay, the South End, and Beacon Hill, thanks to the proliferation of condo conversions in the area. He mainly purchases salvaged pieces from demolition companies and architects, though occasionally he scores a load from homeowners who'd prefer to see their detritus recycled rather than piled up in landfills.

J.E.M.

Spurred by her despair at having to tear down the creations she designed as a production manager at Rafanelli Events after just a few hours, Jane Miller moved to San Francisco to pursue a degree in interior design at Berkeley. (Of course, one might argue, certain homeowners seem to redecorate just that often.) After two-plus years on the design scene out there, Miller has returned to Boston. Ready to do her own thing, she has opened J.E.M. (470 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, 617.391.0490, jemhome.com), a unique home-furnishings boutique in the South End where azure blue walls set off industrial designs that are at once crusty and refined. Inspired by Belgian interiors with washed-out woods and plenty of texture, Miller concentrates on salvaged industrial items from old factories and mills. Miller explains, "I love that the pieces have a sense of utility, that they're not just decoration for decoration's sake." Amidst work by local artisans, like flax-rope light fixtures, Miller mixes in her own creations, repurposed from her industrial finds. There are convex mirrors fitted into rusty iron flanges that were likely once part of a heating system, a teardrop-shaped mirror framed by an iron yoke made for Clydesdale draft horses, and tiny jewelry molds mounted on linen in picture boxes. Jane Elizabeth Miller, your creations are true gems.

Olde Bostonian

In contrast to the other salvage specialists featured here, retail makes up just 20 percent of the trade at Olde Bostonian (66 Von Hillern Street, Boston, 617.282.9300, oldbostonian.com). The family business, which was founded almost 30 years ago by David Greenwood (who still runs it along with his son Anthony), specializes in the restoration and reproduction of architectural elements. They restore old windows, stripping and re-glazing, repainting, or re-staining, all with historical accuracy, which is more often than not required by neighborhood historical commissions. Then, of course, they reinstall them, with weather stripping and such. The company also refurbishes and reproduces other architectural historical elements, including doors, cabinetry, and custom-milled moldings. As for their stock of treasures, you'll find superb stained glass and romantic claw-foot tubs, as well as a lot of gorgeous period fireplace mantles. Anthony Greenwood tells us, "Ten years ago, we couldn't keep the mantles in stock; now they're harder to get rid of. So our prices are very good."

 - Marni Elyse Katz
Marni Elyse Katz blogs about design at stylecarrot.com