You know you’re immersed in the Berkeley vibe when you wander down San Pablo Avenue at Ashby. You can’t help but feel all “green” inside when you stop at Ohmega Salvage yard, where re-use and repurpose is at its best. It’s a place that was in business long before the term “green” became vogue, and has even been featured on “This Old House.”

Here in the open lot, you can find everything from old bathtubs to Buddhas from Bali. Ohmega Salvage specializes in pre-1950 architectural artifacts, so if you’re restoring a Victorian or old Craftsman, you can find stained glass windows, chandeliers, sinks and doors. Stacks of old glass block can be purchased for $4 a block. A pair of cast iron chairs sell for $300, plus another $150 for the pub table with the marble checkerboard top.

Ohmega Too is across the street, where the lot has more of a flea market feel. Urban Ore, another salvage yard, is on Murray Street around the corner. It calls itself an “Ecopark”. Hit all three, plus grab an organic, free-range, locally-grown bite at almost any corner restaurant, and you will have experienced Berkeley.

Related Stories:
Italianate Victorian-Before and After
Manderley Revisited-Restored Victorian in La Selva Beach
Los Gatos Craftsman on Home Tour
New Craftsman Mirrors Old
Restoring a Victorian Saves a Neighborhood

Update:

This post is featured in the San Jose Mercury News Home and Garden section here.

Here’s the complete slideshow:

This entry was posted on Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 at 11:10 pm and is filed under Architecture, Bathroom, Before and After, Craftsman, Eco Friendly, Featured in the San Jose Mercury News, Home and Garden, Julia, Lighting, Looki What I Found. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.