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ARTICLES
A Growing Obsession
Most readers of this tome are no strangers to renovation. Often it’s the price we have to pay to earn a place in established neighbourhoods, with their old houses and proven, time-tested environments. After years of painstaking renovations to our century home and backyard studio the exterior facelifts were scheduled for 2006. But hold on…over the last four years three condominium projects have sprung up on our property lines as developer’s infilling of our town continues –at the expense of historic vistas and greenery so long taken for-granted
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Going, Going, Gone - Vanishing Barns
Recently a man on T.V. said “we’ll never again see the lifestyle that existed 30 years ago” … a proposition adoptable by any generation, I suppose. However, a quarter century of post-war optimism and hard work did result in the 1970’s prosperity that sponsored many positive advantages indeed. The era also included the unfortunate demolition of a great deal of Canada’s built heritage- all in the name of progress. Nevertheless, 30 years ago small family farms were still viable in Canada- and their century old barns and outbuildings had factored heavily into the success of the agricultural lifestyle.
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Comments on the state of the Architectural Salvage Industry in Canada
For ten millennia civilizations all over the globe have re-invented shelters for themselves in the most extreme living conditions imaginable. Architectural salvage is not a new concept. In the New World settlers were known to burn down their houses when moving to better farmlands in order to reclaim the hand-made nails and hardware needed for their next project. Today, barns and basements everywhere contain stuff diverted from the dustbin “just because…” All but the most callous of demolition companies recognize and put aside remarkable building materials and items exhibiting meritorious workmanship.
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A Road Less Traveled - The Big Box Phenomenon
Under the headline “Lowe’s joins Reno Battle”, the Financial Post recently reported that the World’s second largest home improvement retailer is coming to Canada. The “fight” is over a share of the $35 billion dollars spent each year on shelter for Canadians.
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3 Centuries of Door Hardware
The entry door is the portal to a man’s castle. It defines the boundary between public and private. It is the front line in the battles between victims and perpetrators, haves and the have-nots, good guys and bad guys, the authorities and fugitives, incumbents and rebels, forces of light and darkness, emancipators and evildoers. Its décor distinguishes the occupant from “the Joneses”. As such, the history of the door’s latches and locks in many ways portrays society’s evolution- regardless of which side of the door you are on.
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Dormer 101
In early times a modest family’s largest capital asset typically was its livestock. Milk and manure were daily benefits but rising body heat was greatly appreciated and encouraged loft living. Single and one and a half storey dwellings of the times were smoky and dimly lit. The solution for the sleeping (fr. “Dormir”) areas was a vertical window or dormer cut into the sloping roof.
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PRESERVING THE PAST - A COMPANY HISTORY
Legacy Expediters Inc. was incorporated in early 1997 and registered its trade-name “Legacy Building Supply” shortly thereafter. The enterprise was the effort of Sven Kraumanis, a builder and a renovator for over 30 years involved primarily in historic and architecturally meritorious projects. He enjoys the high quality of design, materials and craftsmanship frequently found in labour-intensive projects from times gone by.
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THE WAREHOUSE & GROUNDS - OUR BUILDING
Formerly the site of the Canadian Pacific Railway Express Yard, the Legacy Warehouse and its contents offer a double-barreled delight for visitors. As you enter, the cavernous structure testifies to the enduring value of 19th century industrial construction. At the same time, Legacy presents a meticulously organized inventory of artifacts resplendent with design, materials and craftsmanship found only in the labour-intensive times gone by.
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