Reclaimed Materials from Historic Locations
The diaspora of reclaimed materials from the world famous Coney Island park in Brooklyn, NY, was the subject of a recent article in the New York Times. Over the past few years, discarded Brazilian ipe wood from the iconic Coney Island boardwalk, sometimes literally rescued from dumpsters, writes Liz Robbins, has been used to create furniture for homes and restaurants across the nation and even graces the floor of the Barnes Foundation Art Museum in Philadelphia.
Custom works featuring reclaimed materials from Coney Island, from ipe wood boards to pinball machines, can also be found in the CustomMade galleries.
The hearth seat bench and mantle of this built-in by Loftmen were made from reclaimed ipe boards from the Coney Island Boardwalk. Ipe wood is very strong and naturally resistant to decay and scratches. CustomMade.com
You can see the distinctive markings and character of the reclaimed ipe wood in this view of the hearth seat. The ipe also beautifully complements the maple in this traditional built-in with a modern twist. Loftmen at CustomMade.com
This very cool mirror by Maxwell Furniture was made from a reclaimed pinball machine from Coney Island. CustomMade.com
The plunger, coin slot, “5¢” sign, and lockbox keyhole at the base of this mirror by Maxwell Furniture helps preserve the Coney Island amusement park origins of this work. CustomMade.com
Other historic locations have also yielded reclaimed materials that have been incorporated into custom furniture and other creations by our CustomMade artisans.
The stunning rich purple color of purpleheart wood develops naturally after the wood is cut. Furniture maker Aaron Maes of Rugged Cross Fine Art Woodworking LLC has created many amazing works from purpleheart reclaimed from benches at the Wisconsin capitol building in Madison. This custom designed headboard features the salvaged purpleheart as well as cherry and curly maple. CustomMade.com
The romance of the railroads, the fading Old West, and majestic 2,500-year old California redwoods came together in Tunnel 13, a railroad tunnel excavated by Southern Pacific Railroad through the Siskiyou Mountains between Oregon and California in the 1880s. Tunnel 13 was the site of the last (and spectacularly unsuccessful) Old West “Great Train Robbery” in 1923. From redwood beams salvaged from the tunnel, Bastogne walnut, and koa wood, Kwasnycia Guitars has begun crafting a limited series of OOO guitars. Luthier Dennis Kwasnycia writes: “As you play this instrument, my hope is that you will hear a vibrant tone from the wood that this Kwasnycia Guitar is made from and that it will inspire you, as a part of history is revived through this, your music.” CustomMade.com
The Founding Fathers writing table by Silas Kopf Woodworking was made from wood salvaged from historic Virginia homes, including George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and James Madison’s Montpelier. CustomMade.com
The amazing trompe l’oeil on the top of the Founding Fathers table is a marquetry design made from 15 different wood species, including wood from a horse chestnut tree planted by Washington. Silas Kopf Woodworking at CustomMade.com
If history reborn through reclaimed materials appeals to you, find CustomMade artisans near you and ask what salvaged resources they have available for custom projects or specify that you want to consider historic reclaimed materials when you post your ideas on our CustomMade “Get it Made” project board.
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