Everything that we do well, done well…

If we nominated a house of the year, this would be it! We had the privilege of working with homeowners who blend crazy good taste and a love of “Materials with a Past”. From salvaged Convent tiles, Thomas Edison Factory Maple, to fallen trees from the yard, this home embraces so much that is good, possible and sustainable in building today. Equally important is that the homeowners, Architect, Builder and Urban team still had big love for each other when all was complete. The team of Scott Simpson Builders and architect John Holbert set high expectations, and all of us delivered with out sacrificing passion and joy in the work.

Photos by: Leslie Schwartz

MORE PICS AFTER THE JUMP >>>

Fallen Timber Mantels: Mantels through out the house were salvaged from the fallen timbers.

Flooring: 4100 sf of Reclaimed Maple flooring also salvaged from Thomas Edison Factory Timbers

Walnut paneling and dining surface: Walnut paneling and dining surface made of salvaged structural timbers from a Presbyterian church in Ohio.

Stair Treads: 49 4” thick Reclaimed Maple stair treads made with factory Timbers salvaged from the historic Simmons Furniture Factory in New London, Wisconsin. The buildings were built by Thomas Alva Edison and his grandson to house their gramophone factory and later their children’s furniture factory under the brand Edison Little Folk.

Convent Tiles: 1500 sf of tiles in various patterns and colors through out the home salvaged from a convent in Wilmette IL.

Gym Floor: The basement play room Gym Floor was originally the stadium floor for the Detroit Pistons.

Barn Doors: Cypress and Galvanized Steel sliding barn doors Cypress boards salvaged from Pickle Factory - Imlay City, Michigan.

Fallen timber: Counters, desk tops, and bench seats were crafted with fallen timbers from the original lot. While much of the timber was soft and hard maple, there was a honey locust tree, initially dubbed “mystery wood” that took some time and head scratching to identify.