If you’ve never stepped foot into an architectural salvage store, especially Unassimilated on California Street, it’s like walking into a life-sized gold mine, filled with items you probably never even realized you could pick up second-hand. Unassimilated Owner Michael Ritchie jokes, “At first, it overwhelms people when they come in. They’re like, ‘My eyes are bugging out. My jaw has gone slack. I have sensory overload, and I'm just thinking where's the nearest bar?’”
This could be because of the seemingly endless amounts of wood paneling, gargoyle gates, sconces, windows, mantels—you name it. The store’s international collection spans three properties in the Curtis Park Historic District; two of the showrooms are located in historic homes. In one building alone, Michael says there are more than 200 doors, mostly of Victorian and Arts & Crafts styles.
With a background in design and as the owner of eight historic Victorian structures and decades of experience sifting through architectural salvage, Michael’s curated a treasure trove of unique, vintage finds.
“I’ve accumulated thousands and thousands of items of architectural salvage,” Michael says. And while there’s quite a bit of material in each location, it’s fairly organized, with like-items grouped together.
“We have 18-foot-tall doors that are metal and driveway gates and things from Europe,” Michael says. Then there are the balconies taken off buildings in South America and “big, metal gated doorways with stained glass in them.”
For individuals restoring older homes or buildings, architectural salvage shops provide access to authentic period pieces that match the era of the structure. Salvaged materials inspire creative DIY projects, and people can repurpose and up-cycle items to create one-of-a-kind furniture, decor and art pieces, adding a personal touch to their abode.
How to Shop for Architectural Salvage
If you know exactly what you want, you can just pick up the phone and call them. Say your son kicked a soccer ball in grandma’s dining room and broke her stained glass transom window, Unassimilated is a good place to start. There’s also a number on its website that you can text photos to if you’re looking for a replacement item, say for your vintage doorbell. While the lamp collection isn’t extensive, according to Michael, they have “scores of globes” and the wall sconce collection ranges from massive cast metal options to more intimate bedside lighting.
“We’re heavily into service,” Michael boasts. His staff listens to what customers are looking for and if it’s not in stock, they can offer compatible items or other creative solutions that might be equivalent—or even better.
Or you could just spend a few hours browsing around. No, really. The tour alone lasts a couple of hours, according to Michael, whose passion for design and old homes is palpable. Give yourself the gift of time.
Michael likes to joke that one of his favorite sayings came from one of his neighbors, who was a dog show enthusiast. After attending a show, he asked the couple if they’d finally broken down and bought a dog, and one of them said sheepishly, “No, but we came back with a cat.”
“That’s what happens a lot with my clients," Michael says, "They come in looking for one thing in particular or a list of things, and they end up taking home a cat.”
In many cases, salvaged items can offer more affordable options than new items from big-box stores. Vintage finds also hold more character.
Unassimilated likes to acquire items locally whenever possible, procuring them through purchases or donations. If you need several doors for your house and are an avid DIYer, this is where you can really save big on renovation costs. Not only will you have the opportunity to pick up sympathetic items with your home’s style, but you’re also saving them from the landfill. Employees can also steer you in the right direction about where to save and when to splurge.
Michael recommends calling first to make an appointment because sometimes they move from one property to another, and he doesn’t want to miss anyone. One of the buildings doesn’t have heat, so if it’s a brisk March day, dress in layers.
Unassimilated.biz