Pinch of the Past

Off to Facebook Now

2011-02-10T09:32:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon.

We have recently started our own facebook page, therefore our blog will no longer be updated. We invite you to join us now on facebook!

See You There!!!

To the recipients of our monthly newsletter -

2009-11-20T13:10:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers.
Recently, our email account (with Google) has changed policies and no longer allows for mass emails to be sent out to people listed as blind carbon copies. The reasoning is attributed to Google's crack-down on spam emails, however, it is pretty dangerous territory when our email service providers feel they have the power to decide what emails we do and do not receive. I get spam every day, and I flag it as spam and it is gone - next time it arrives, it goes straight into the spam folder.
Not only is it uncomfortable to think that my emails are now being censored before they reach me, but it places us in a strange spot having developed a mailing list of nearly 200 people who wished to receive our monthly newsletter, but now cannot.
Google did say that I could still set up a mass-email newsletter, only if I did it through Google Groups. This would involve changing the email address and sending out solicitations to everyone from the current list and hoping that they feel like joining. To sum it up, it is not OK to send people spam, unless you are using the "new and improved Google Groups" device to do it.
Please voice your concern today to Google if you do not want your emails censored. We apologize if this month's newsletter is late. We are still trying to find a solution to this strange problem.

Will Perkins
Sales
Pinch of the Past

Coupon for our Thanksgiving Holiday Sale

2009-11-18T12:43:00.000-08:00

NEWS ARRIVALS for 11-4-09

2009-11-04T12:16:00.000-08:00

Just in Today:
- (1) set of "skinny" french doors - fits into a single-wide door opening.
- (1) set of extra wide 1950s french doors with horizontal lites.
- (2) small Victorian pine mantels.
- (1) large ornate HEAVY cast iron gate with shell plaques and scroll work.
- (1) small garden-size iron spear point gate with wrought iron scroll work.
- entire house worth of window bars, iron with wrought scrolls, various sizes from 6'H to 32"H / 32"W to 18"W.
- (1) small concrete Angel garden statue.

In the next few days, we will be replacing the "Spotlights" page of our website with a "New Arrivals" page, to be updated monthly. www.pinchofthepast.com

Everything to build a house - and furnish it!

2009-09-30T14:07:00.001-07:00

With the holiday season fast approaching, we just want to remind everyone that we have many gift items and home furnishing available as well as architectural salvage. When we are not clearing out estates, we are searching for interesting little things all along the way, so our store always has something in it for everyone - pine beams to porcelain cups! Stop by and see what is new!
www.pinchofthepast.com

D'oh!

2009-09-11T11:45:00.000-07:00

This is what greeted me this morning as I turned the corner to open up the shop. Our one brave flower garden between the front entry doors sacrificed its life in the wee hours of last night in order to save our storefront from the impending doom of an out-of-control car. Flower garden, we knew ye only a few short months, but you graced us with beauty every morning. We will rebuild you, scrape up the four-o-clocks and lantana that survived, and carry on. We just want to let you, flower garden, know that you were not injured in vain - for without you, the damage would have been horrifically worse.
That being said, summer is winding down in an otherwise calm manner. We have new plumbing fixtures on the way ranging from Edwardian to retro, as well as new millwork, flooring, lighting, hardware, and housewares. Our work order book is filling up quickly, so hurry and get your polishing or stripping order in before its too late!

Its a HOT one so far...

2009-07-17T07:26:00.000-07:00

Summer is really getting sultry here in Savannah. Doesn't that just make you think of a roaring fire in the fireplace? In case it does, we have a treat for you! Just in are a few fantastic wooden Eastlake style short mantels. The styles of each are slightly different, and photos of all three can be seen on our website under the "Salvaged Goods" -> "Mantels and Fireplace Accessories" tab. To compliment these, we also have 4 pierced arch-top cast iron summer covers (rarer than hen's teeth these days). 3 of them are in perfect condition and one has a piece missing at the bottom and is offered at a discounted price. They are on the same web page as the new mantels.

Holiday Hours

2009-07-01T10:40:00.001-07:00

Be Our BFF

2009-06-25T13:45:00.000-07:00

Pinch of the Past now has a (slightly humble) presence on Myspace. It will be less formal than our website and more interactive than our blog, so please check us out and add us to your top friends! www.myspace.com/pinchofthepast .

Summer is Here!

2009-06-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

It is going to be a hot one for sure here in Savannah! If you want to beat the heat, but you don't want to miss out on visiting us, then head up to Greensboro, Georgia! Our branch store is open on weekends and the breezes blow cooler in Greensboro. We travel between our two stores every week, so if you see an item at one place but you live at the other, we can have it to you by the following week! Check out our website for info. on both stores. www.pinchofthepast.com

ESTATE SALE this JUNE

2009-05-27T20:05:00.001-07:00

On June 12-14 of 2009, Pinch of the Past will host an Estate Sale in Savannah! We will liquidate the estate of a 90 year-old Savannah native who meticulously cared for and preserved all of her belongings. Items available run the entire gamut, so please refer to our website at www.pinchofthepast.com for photos of items that will be available. The photos listed are only a small sample of the total quantity that can be yours. Please call us at 912.232.5563 if you have any other questions or email us at pinchnet@gmail.com. Otherwise, we hope to see you there!!!

In Spite of Damage, Our Store Remains Open!

2009-05-14T07:36:00.000-07:00

Our Greensboro, GA store has suffered property damage at the hands of the CSX Corporation based out of Jacksonville. Their clumsy efforts to perform work to a railroad crossing which cuts through Pinch of the Past property in Greensboro have resulted in the destruction of signage, saplings, driving surfaces, and water service. Despite how things may look from the street, we will remain open for business under regular business hours in Greensboro.
Beginning late last week, heavy machinery began pulling through the private farm in which Pinch of the Past is located. Store signage was destroyed, open grassy fields were reduced to muddy, rut-covered bogs, newly planted trees and shrubs were flattened, and most upsetting - oil, asphalt, fuel, and other chemicals and carcinogens discarded by CSX are now soaking into the soil and stream of what was an organic, chemical-free farm. For added fun, the heavy machinery also busted the water line running to the store and a charming rental cottage across the road.
We are exploring every option for solving this dilemma, and we thank you for your patience and continued patronage. Feel free to give us a call if you have any further questions about our Greensboro store.

The Savannah Green Expo

2009-05-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

We were very happy to have a place in the very first Annual Savannah Green Expo at a beautiful facility in the old Trustees Gardens. It was a wonderful collection of businesses specializing in products and services oriented at minimizing our hazardous footprint on the planet. We at Pinch of the Past have believed in "green" since before it was the cool thing to do, so we are happy to see it catching on!

MAY is National Preservation Month!

2009-05-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

Photo from The National Trust for Historic Preservation
May is National Preservation Month. This is a great time to check out The National Trust for Historic Preservation's website at www.preservationnation.org. There, you will find many inspiring stories, how-to's, and the new 2009 List of America's 11 Most-Endangered Places.

If you are restoring your own historic beauty, please stop by our store at 2603 Whitaker Street in Savannah, or visit our website at www.pinchofthepast.com. Our sales staff will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have.

Sign up for our MAILING LIST

2009-05-05T09:11:00.000-07:00

We are starting a mailing list as a way to keep customers up-to-date with store events and news. We can also send out information about new items - many before we even put them out on the floor. If you would like to be in the loop, call or email us today and get your name down! (912)232-5563 / pinchopast@aol.com.

New Arrivals For 4-25-09

2009-04-25T07:54:00.000-07:00

This just in TODAY!
- A 6' long white porcelain enamel claw-foot tub in wonderful condition.
-(2) 1930s kitchen sinks, both single-basin - one with a double drainboard and the other with a single drainboard.
-A tiny white wall-mount sink fit for a small powder room.
-Piles of T&G flooring - one oak, and the other maple - from an old gymnasium.
-(2) Very nice 19th-century garden gates in iron - one with spear-point bars and the other with a wrought scroll design.
-A fluted cast iron newel post with ball finial.
-(2) Very nice pressed tin summer covers - one depicting a deer in a forest scene, and the other a prominent fleur de lis.
-A set of three matching spear-tip lightning rods and a matching weather vane with a twig-tip and original cranberry glass insert.
Come see us at 2603 Whitaker Street in Savannah, or visit us at www.pinchofthepast.com!

9th Annual Savannah Garden Exposition

2009-04-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

We had a great time and enjoyed some remarkably mild weather this year at the Savannah Garden Expo in the historic Roundhouse Complex. Thanks to all who attended! The weekend did not wipe us out of merchandise, so we still have plenty of wonderful garden items in iron and concrete to complement your outdoor space this spring! Stop by and check out our inventory at 2603 Whitaker Street in Savannah's Starland Dairy District!

Images of our booth at the Savannah Garden Exposition

The 9th Annual Savannah Garden Exposition

2009-04-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

Please join us on April 17th through April 19th at the Roundhouse Railroad Museum at 601. W. Harris Street for the Savannah Garden Expo! We will have a booth set up with wonderful vintage and antique garden items, as well as a selection of architectural salvage. Stop by and see us as well as the other great vendors and help make this year the greatest turn-out ever!
Our store hours are amended for the event:
On Thursday, April 16th we will be open from 1:30pm - 5:30pm. Friday and Saturday hours remain the same.

2009-04-11T12:53:00.001-07:00

April Spotlights

2009-04-03T10:20:00.001-07:00

April spotlights are up with a focus on our outdoor and garden pieces!

NEW ARRIVALS for 3-28-09

2009-03-28T09:28:00.001-07:00

We have recently come across a wonderful collection of paper memorabilia. Items include various magazines from the 1930s-1950s, wonderful 1950s Christmas catalogue pages from Klein's Department Store in Chicago, various fraternal organization songbooks, and a plethora of Savannah items including Savannah High football game programs from the 1920s as well as a stack of 1920s Savannah High "Blue and White" School newspapers. The Newspapers are chock full of advertisements from stores long since vanished from Savannah. The collection is a must-see for any collector of Savannah history!
Also, we have some great original black and white theatre lobby prints on 8.5x11" glossy photo paper. They depict scenes from wonderful old films and great dramatic vignettes.

Stop by and see all that is old which is new. 2603 Whitaker Street, Savannah, GA.
www.pinchofthepast.com
(912)232-5563

New Arrivals for 3-27-09

2009-03-27T12:58:00.000-07:00

First off we would just like to extend our thanks to all of our customers who have gone out of their way to let us know how nicely organized and clean our store is (especially compared to other architectural salvage companies). It has always been our mission to go a little bit above and beyond when it comes to your shopping experience here. We don't only carry rough and tumble architectural salvage, but a wide assortment of antique and vintage furniture, artwork, and collectibles - so our showroom has to play two roles. We are not "cutesy" nor are we "rusty and dusty". Our inventory is placed out with the care and respect deserved of fine old things, and we take joy in knowing that it makes your shopping more delightful!
That being said, we have taking on some new pieces lately, and gotten some old pieces out of storage and onto the floor. The items mentioned will be photographed and placed on our website tomorrow ( www.pinchofthepast.com)
-We have a 12-lite fan light measuring 6'W x 3'H. 10 of the panes are intact and are textured amber glass - two are broken. The window needs some tightening up, but with a little work it would be a stunning addition to your home renovation.
-A great old public bathroom door, smaller than an average door with three horizontal panels and glazed in snowflake glass.
-Various sidelights and transoms, some with textured glass and leading.
-Some fantastic heart pine kitchen cupboards originally from a Tybee Island beach cottage. They are wall mount with double doors glazed in original wavy glass. The boards are as dense as iron- you can't pick up kitchen cabinets like this at the big-box stores!
-An oak craftsman-style short mantel. It has very simple lines and subtle routed detail, with the shelf supported by two simple corbels.
-We also got in some sturdy, heavy-as-lead heart pine doors circa 1880. They are classic 4 vertical panel style.
Please refer to our website, or give us a call with any questions! www.pinchofthepast.com or (912)232-5563.

March Spotlights!

2009-03-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

March spotlights are up, click here to see more gems like this

Mid-century milk glass sconce from Savannahs Medical Arts Building!

NEW ARRIVALS for 3-5-09

2009-03-05T07:24:00.000-08:00

This just in today!
A lovely fainting couch with Eastlake-style legs. Upholstery is appx. 30 years old, but in excellent condition - buyer could re-upholster to suit taste. 6'L x 2'W, armless with a rolled back. $275.00

We have great spans of wonderful, thick moulding from c.1875. 6 pieces spanning from 8' to 16' - 8"thick of heavy crown moulding with large dentils. - call store for details (912)232-5563.

(6) antique 2 and 6 panel doors still in their jambs - just cut your holes and pop them in! Standard interior sizes - call for further details.

Salvaged from a classic white "subway style" 1900's bathroom - we have built-in toilet paper holders, tooth brush holders, soap dishes, towel bar holders, and shelf brackets - all in "sanitary white" with a very fine crazed glaze. Prices range on individual pieces from $15-$35 each. They would look fantastic with your pedestal sink and hex-tile floor.

NEW ARRIVALS

2009-02-26T12:14:00.000-08:00

New Items for 2-26-09!
We have been busy today. Our newest items include 1 mantel, a few knob and lock sets, some assorted exterior doors, a great brass rim lock with the orig. glass knob, (2) 2'x4' sheets of pressed tin ceiling cover, (5) 6' boards of door trim, some picture rail and much more.
Our marvelous new addition to be on our website soon - a zinc gasolier with glass shade and smoke dome. This thing hangs almost 4'. A rare, one-of-a-kind beauty!
www.pinchofthepast.com

NEW ARRIVALS for 2-24-09!!!

2009-02-24T07:26:00.000-08:00

This just in - Large quantity of louvered bi-fold closet doors - wide, medium, and narrow. Call us with your specs.
An assortment of antique and vintage fireplace tools - some complete sets, others mixed.
20"W x 14"H leaded stained glass window in wooden frame - Pattern is a diamond in the center made up of 4 squares clear reeded glass, 4 squares amber pebble glass, and a center square of cobalt glass. Price is $95.00, please refer to inventory # WW-22.

In Other News. . .

2009-02-19T13:59:00.000-08:00

The new year brings with it new items and projects galore! We are continuing to update our website, so check it often for new items and interesting finds for your home - www.pinchofthepast.com.
We are in the process of evaluating two buildings that are slated for demolition, so in the coming months we will have an influx of new lighting, lumber, doors, windows, hardware, and everything else you can imagine. Now is the perfect time to contact us if there is something unusual or out of the ordinary that you have been looking for and we will keep our eyes peeled!
A project we have just completed has landed a great find in our laps - 7 copper-framed, leaded glass transoms from a North Georgia general store. Appx. 24" x 48". They will be arriving in our store soon!

Come and See Us!
-Will

Love is in the air!

2009-02-13T07:31:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all of our fabulous customers who voted us Savannah Magazines BEST Architectural Antique Store! Look for us in the Readers Choice Awards, coming out in the March '09 Issue!

If you still haven't come in to see us, stop by and learn more about us at the following events:

Athens Home and Garden Expo March 7th and 8th
Savannah Garden Expo April 17th, 18th 19th
Greensboro Southern Jubilee Arts Festival April 18th

Brrrrr!

2009-01-21T13:54:00.000-08:00

Frozen toes? Thank your fireplace for keeping you warm with a handsome new mantle.

Greensboro Gems!

2008-12-19T12:06:00.000-08:00

Visit our Greensboro Spotlights page for

dimensions and prices as well as more items!

Unique Christmas Gifts

2008-12-05T06:49:00.000-08:00

Come see us for one of a kind gifts this Christmas,

we have something for everyone on your list!

Stay tuned for our upcoming spotlights gift guide!

A Brief Tutorial on Historical Paint Analysis

2008-09-27T17:04:00.000-07:00

For people who wish to restore an historic home, there is often a great deal of thought that goes into light fixtures, hardware, window coverings, etc. Often, the most important aspect of a room's historical identity is completely overlooked - the wall color. The impact of painting a room beige, when it was historically hunter green, can have a dramatic impact on the interpretation of the space.

Most commonly, an historical paint analysis is performed to determine the colors of a room at a specific point in time. The procedure is generally laborious, time-consuming, and expensive - reasons why this route is often only taken by grand house museums and government buildings. For the everyday historic homeowner, there is a much simpler approach that can teach you a great deal about your home's interior. Even if you are appalled by the original color choices, isn't it interesting to know how your home once looked?

To perform a basic paint analysis yourself, simply find a spot on the wall (or ceiling, or woodwork) that is not directly visible (you may need to take more than one sample, and you don't want it to look like someone shot up your room). With a razor blade, make a cone-shaped gouge deep enough to remove a bit of the substrate. Keep the blade at a 45 degree angle when making this cut so you have exposed all layers of paint. Once you have done this, take a small piece of fine sand paper and feather the hole outward. Work the sand paper in a circular motion moving from the center of the cut outward, easing up pressure as you go. With a little patience, you should be able to see the rings of color unfolding.

When you are finished, take a clean cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol and wipe down the feathered area. This removes dust and dirt that can alter the appearance of color.
You have now unlocked the colorful history of that room. If you like what you see, it is very easy to match up the colors with paint sample cards. If you don't like what you see, just go your own route. You will only be adding one more layer of colorful history to your vintage home.

-William Perkins

Ornamental Fireplace Solutions

2008-09-25T09:26:00.000-07:00

When I moved into my first apartment in Savannah, my favorite feature was the beautiful fireplace, complete with green tortoiseshell tiling. Of course it wasn't a working fireplace, it had been put into retirement years ago (as is the case more often than not).

But I made the most of it, spruced it up with some candles and such until I was satisfied and figured that would do just fine. Unfortunately my 16 lb behemoth of a cat had other plans for the fireplace, and took to napping in it when I was out. Being that Bosco is a black cat, the fact that he was covered in soot went completely unnoticed by me until he leapt into my arms one day and a cloud of soot enveloped me.

Thankfully, I found the perfect solution to my problem, a Summer Cover

This one in particular is great because it's fairly thick cast iron and will help insulate against drafts (which can heavily impact your heating and cooling bills). I like it because it keeps Bosco out, and still looks beautiful.

-Alexi Gibson

Go Antiques

2008-08-13T11:50:00.000-07:00

We have a small selection of inventory available online at Go Antiques for you to peruse, check it out! The link is over to the right under the link to our website.

Savannah, have you come to see us yet?

2008-08-12T15:11:00.000-07:00

We're constantly amazed by how many customers come in having no idea that we've been on Whitaker since November! Apparently there are some people out there saying that we closed down and vanished into thin air. Of course it doesn't help that the first thing that comes up when you Google us is a Yahoo page with our old address (which we're working on fixing, apparently it can take up to a month).

For those of you that don't know us, here's what Coastal Antiques and Art has to say:

"Pinch of the Past is a great place to look for antique and aged metalwork. Metal arches and wrought iron gates are very popular, as are the cast iron brackets and grates, many of which feature beautiful scroll and floral designs. Most metal pieces can be reborn as any number of useful household objects - boot-scrapes, pot stands, tables and more. Your imagination is really the only limit here!

Other architectural antiques at Pinch of the Past include wooden doors, stained and leaded glass, columns and beams, moldings and trim, tin ceiling panels, bathroom fixtures and hardware, as well as brass door knockers, door bells, door knobs and mail slots. As if this weren't enough, Pinch of the Past also sells all the other things you would expect to see in an antique store, from books, furniture and tableware to garden accessories."

The renovations almost killed us, but we love our new home (especially the free parking!). We're still the same old Pinch you know and love, so come on by!

Rediscovering the Details in your Plaster Ornaments through Restoration

2008-07-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

Many times the detail and ornament of Plaster medallions and cornices is covered under many coats of paint. A thick paste commercial paint stripper can be used to remove these layers of oil based paints.

First to remove the oil based paint, with a paint brush, paint on the stripper as thick as you can. Let it sit for 15 minutes or so. If it starts to dry out apply more. When the outer layer of the paint starts to release and curl begin to scrape the paint off using tools such as dull carving tools, spoons, wide blade kitchen knives, etc. The key here is not to use sharp or pointed objects that can scrape or gouge the plaster. When you have scraped the paint that did release, begin the process again, and again, until you have removed the oil-based paint.

Sometime you will run into another type of paint with does no budge with the remover, this is usually calcimine paint or white wash. This was commonly used for ceilings prior to 1930. Paint removers will not budge this type of paint. I have found the best thing to use here would be a vinegar solution mixed about half-and-half with water. Apply this solution with a stiff terry cloth. Let the solution soak in, but do not soak the plaster piece in the solution. Then scrub the plaster slowly and gently with rags or a soft plastic bristle brush, like those for dishes or a toothbrush. The calcimine paint will begin to soften and lift off the plaster. If your piece is very ornate and 3 dimensional there will be stubborn pieces left in crevices that will have to be picked out. Use dental or carving tools or a small knife for this type work, being careful not to gouge the plaster.

After you have completed this process wash the plaster with a mild soap and water solution to remove debris and neutralize the vinegar. Remember that plaster is very porous and is easily damaged do not soak to long in water or any solution or your plaster can begin to melt or crack. For small nicks or gouges you can use a premixed spackling compound for minor repairs or ,of course, you can go the long route and mix your own plaster of paris to do the repairs.

-Noreene Parker

Recent Additions

2008-07-18T12:36:00.000-07:00

Vintage Magic Chef Range KP-237
38”w x 20.5”d x 43”h
$1,400.00

This beautiful early Art Deco gas range is in wonderful condition and eagerly awaiting a restoration. Anyone who appreciates the functionality and charm of vintage cooking appliances will be hard pressed to pass up this yesteryear beauty. Features a four-burner stove, pull-out broiler pan, a large oven and a smaller warming oven.

Rococco Mirror MR-4
69"x42"
$6,500.00

A stunning piece in remarkable original condition, this mirror is richly gilded in gold with gracefully aged mirror glass. A fine example of 19th century gesso details.

1940s Doggie Rocker KP-17

41”w x 13”d x 27”h
$265.00

This charming item is perfect for any nursery. All paint is in original condition with minimal wear.

Greensboro Grand Opening Celebration!

2008-06-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

Going Green

2008-06-25T13:27:00.001-07:00

Lately, everyone seems to be going GREEN. "Recycling" and "eco-friendly" are words never used so much as they are now, and the ultimate act of recycling is to purchase historic house parts. To put that thought into perspective, let us look at the numbers:

New Buildings Constructed Annually
1,770,000
Buildings Demolished Annually
290,000
Waste Generated Annually from Both
136 million tons
Construction Waste that is Recycled
20%-30%
Waste Generated from Construction of 2,000 sqft. Home.
3,000 lbs wood
2,000 lbs drywall
600 lbs cardboard

We are happy to help you outfit your older home or lower the cost of your new home's construction by providing you with solid, historical materials that have already stood the test of time. When it comes down to it, even new recycled materials from sustainable resources require a great deal of energy to manufacture. Browse either of our two stores for a selection of historic house parts that cost you no more energy than some of that good, old-fashioned elbow grease.

Pinch of the Past Showrooms

2008-06-25T10:00:00.001-07:00

We are proud to announce that we now have showrooms in two historic locations to serve you better! In Savannah, we restored a three-story, turn-of-the-century building, that originally housed a factory and then served as a church for forty years. The building and mezzanine restoration includes antique ironwork, lumber, doors, molding, windows and hardware from our own stock.

Pinch of the Past's Greensboro store is housed in an 1880s railroad warehouse and water tower that features our salvaged beams, bead board paneling, siding, windows, stair parts and lighting. Between the two locations, we now have over 75,000 square feet of reclaimed and restored building materials, lighting and hardware.