Adaptive Reuse: Vanderleigh Furniture & Antiques

[Atari007]

No mention of the Importing and Exporting business?  Oh wait.. that was Vandelay Industries... my bad...

[chris farley]

Quote
In a city known for embracing demolition before preservation, Vanderleigh Furniture & Antiques is a refreshing change which illustrates the benefit of historic restoration and adaptive reuse on Jacksonville's urban landscape.unquote

Sorry to offend atari, but it was about the building also, I have nothing but great respect for Walter and Vanderleigh - tell us about the business

[duchessd]

gogators07, thanks for visiting the shop and taking a look around.  Half the battle of having an antique shop located in Springfield is getting people to walk through the door, so on behalf of Vanderleigh: Thank you!  In addition we value your feedback and comments, especially as a potential customer, so I would like to take a quick moment to address your critique. 

Walter and I are discriminating when stocking the store with inventory, as the quality, variety, and price suggests.  You are correct, in that many of the pieces can be found at local garage and estate sales.  Good design is available to anyone at any price if one is willing to put the time into such endeavor.  Many of our pieces are not simply purchased and then resold, we take the time to clean, repair, upholster, and refinish merchandise when needed.

Now, I must clarify some erroneous comments in your postings: 1) The 70s table lamp is made of real Italian marble (as noted on the tag) and weighs approx 20lbs, 2)This same lamp is adorned with a new string shade from Tiffany's lighting (the shade alone cost $80), 3)The common wood lamp as you referred to it, is actually from the 40s and is inlaid with several different woods in intricate patterns, the lamp has been rewired and tightened to preserve the inlay.

While Vanderleigh Antiques will not fit every budget, we do provide quality antiques at affordable prices as evidenced by our many dealer and decorator clients who seek us out when shopping antique markets around the country.  Plus as I am sure you are aware that most every antique store offers discounts; haggling price is one of the fun aspects of buying antiques! 

We look forward to seeing you at the shop again soon.

so the 1970s faux marble table lamp (as it was labeled) with a new lampshade (probably from walmart, target, lowes, etc) priced at $400 is indicative of quality construction and a non-disposable culture?

all i did was express an opinion -- shared by every other person who went with me last week that the prices were absurdly high.  even -- especisally -- by antique standards.  by standards of shops we had visited around the country and the city. not by wal-mart, thift store, or pawn shop standards.

that is to take nothing away from the great space, location, decor, etc.

but it seems that for a business to be successful, it might also want to know what some of its potential customers think -- good and bad.

there are so many guard dogs on this site now it is crazy -- and sorry to say -- very spar-like.

[sheclown]

Makes sense to me.

[chris farley]

Duchessd - the two chairs I bought, I think are from the 50s.  I had them reupholstered and I love love love them

[samiam]

Also the reuse of furniture is great for the environment. 75% of the furniture in my house is antique/vintage and was purchased at a fraction of the cost of new furniture. Most furniture built prior to WWII was meant to last several generations (some mid century furniture is of the same quality) furniture made of real wood can be repaired, most modern furniture is made of veneered MDF or particle board and once it is damaged or gets wet its garbage.

The greenest house is one that is already built   

[sheclown]

I love that "coffee table."  What a great idea! 

[jeh1980]

That's fine but the communities of LaVilla, Brooklyn, Downtown, East Jacksonville, etc. would suggest otherwise.

Nevertheless, I still disagree.

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

The greenest house is one that is already built   

truer words were never spoken.

[CS Foltz]

The greenest house is one that is already built  

truer words were never spoken.

Truer words for sure...........which is why I have taken time, effort and money to refurbish my primary residence! Darn sure not antique in nature but it is 32 years plus in age! So I guess you could consider it new!

[thelakelander]

That's fine but the communities of LaVilla, Brooklyn, Downtown, East Jacksonville, etc. would suggest otherwise.

Nevertheless, I still disagree.

Its okay to disagree.  However, it doesn't change the fact that a significant part of the urban core (which was very dense and walkable) is now moonscape.  The best thing we can do now is just to change our ways and do better with what's left.

[samiam]

The greenest house is one that is already built  

truer words were never spoken.

Truer words for sure...........which is why I have taken time, effort and money to refurbish my primary residence! Darn sure not antique in nature but it is 32 years plus in age! So I guess you could consider it new!

Thanks
For a time I ended all my posts with that

I wish the powers that be would see the logic in it and put the word out. You hear all this news about green building but it all a farce. The biggest problem is the use of land and the infrastructure for new developments (destruction of habitat and the tax dollars that could be used better elsewhere) BTW outstanding job cs Foltz you are doing your part.

Its a real shame that people are buying into the fake concept that the new planned community are good for the environment.

[CS Foltz]

Some of us try real hard samiam! Some are just more concerned about lining their pockets............like SRG and most developers on the face of mother earth! Got no respect for mother nature.............definition of a development.............cut down all of the tree's and then name the street's after the trees! Not good for anyone and darn sure not for the next generation or those to come!

[samiam]

I live in a 1911 house that I restored. I'm sure SRG are not saints but at least they do urban infill, which makes them a step above the cut and slash developer.

[CS Foltz]

I agree to a point! There are too many empty lots that did have houses on them and most appear to be owned by SRG.....................yep, it is urban infill and nothing wrong with that at all! Like you say....beats cut and slash for sure, but I think about those old homes that might have had a chance to live again and have families once again.................just thinking about what a loss!