Bicycle Taxi

Recently, I was in Northern California’s wine country. Sonoma is a beautiful and tranquil town.  Now, as much I enjoy drinking wine, especially the Petite Syrah varietal, I wasn’t there for the wine.  I had heard from a friend of a friend about an amazing interior design shop.  So, of course I traded cars with son number 2. He got the convertible with zero trunk space and I had the “old” but very trusty suburban.  You can’t be too careful when it comes to purchasing things for the home or garden. Who knows how large and bulky they might be?  Now, when I purchase something for my home, it MUST come immediately  home with me. I have no patience for waiting. Seriously.  Ask any family or friend and they will rat me out!   So, I filled up my “green” economic car to the tune of $100 and headed north.

Bowling Set

Artefact Design  Salvage is on the edge on Sonoma.  Salvage yard doesn’t quite do it justice.  I expected something a little more “junkyardish”.  Actually,  Sanford and Son came to mind,  but Artefact couldn’t be farther from the sitcom. In fact it was more like  Soul Salvation.  They carry relics from a different time and place and it’s absolutely wonderful.

Greyhound Protectors

Some of my personal favorites were the statuesque Greyhounds.  If I had the proper estate and bank account,  these two would be my choice in protectors.  They’re priced at $1150. each.    The teak scrap spheres are so mesmerizing and at $ 195. I almost brought one home.

These light fixtures came from a milk factory in Belgium.  They have both a rustic andindustrial feel to them.   I can imagine a Belgium milk maid sitting on a little stool. The cows are munching on hay and she is working away milking the cows.  Fantasyland…yes, but that is the picture in my mind when I see these fixtures.  I think they could work well in any kitchen or even a workshop.

Milk Factory

One of the most interesting things I came across was a Medusa panel.  It came from the last cast iron building in San Francisco. It was originally built in 1873.  The detail in the panel is stunning.  Thinking of the time that this was made and the tools available, I am amazed by the craftsmanship.  And,  for me makes it that much more fabulous.

The tables are original designs by Dave Allen, the owner of Artefact.  He uses reclaimed wood from truck and train beds.  So, being “green” can look wonderfully chic.

Now, was it the perfect California weather or this interior design mecca? I can’t say for sure,  but my head was spinning with ideas.  If you are within a hundred miles a road trip in within order.  Artefact will inspire you, it will rejuvenate you.  And before you head home, stop and have a glass of wine to reflect on the day. You’ll be glad you did!

Artefact Design and Salvage

23562 Highway 121

Sonoma, CA 95476

Here’s the complete slideshow:

This entry was posted on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 10:23 am and is filed under Antiques, Architecture, Desiree, Eco Friendly, Featured, Garden, Home and Garden, Interior Design, Looki What I Found, Salvage, Shopping. 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.