A few Olde Good Things
Outsideleft Los Angeles Editor, Michelle goes downtown and finds Olde Good Things
by Michelle Williams, Editor at Large
first published: October, 2013
first published: October, 2013
an 1800's barber's chair that had changed hands over the years between high profile actors and directors
One of the first places I stumbled upon when I moved to LA in 2007 was Olde Good Things. Located in downtown LA, close to LA Trade Technical College, it is a bit hidden. Once you're in the neighborhood, you can't miss the Humpty Dumpty up on the wall (really!) and bright flashing star as you enter.
This is one of the most unique architectural antique shops anywhere. A bit more known in New York City, where there are five locations, we have the downtown store and another, more recently opened, on Olympic Blvd.
I spoke with Joe Stren, an Architecturologist, about this unique gem in Los Angeles. Sourcing from old foundries, schools, landmarks during renovation, Olde Good Things has an amazing array of items you will not find anywhere else. Salvage is the name of the game. Prices are wildly varied, from $4 up to $65,000; anyone can afford even a small unique antique.
Stren told me of one of his favorite pieces, an 1800's barber's chair that had changed hands over the years between high profile actors and directors among others. It has been fully restored to its original glory and is a must-see in person. Seeping in the vibe of Sweeney Todd, it's a bold and debonair piece.
The light and warmth provided by the hundreds of antique chandeliers is worth the trip in and of itself. Joe commented that with many of the lights using seven and a half watt bulbs, the electric bill is a gazillion dollars. One special chandelier is from the JFK airport. Another is an exquisite Murano glass chandelier in gorgeous pastel colors.
Everything from a staggering collection of glass doorknobs to stained glass windows, and over one hundred marble mantels from the Plaza Hotel, at its recent renovation, a bit of history is within reach.
Olde Good Things ships all over the world, and boasts over 200,000 square feet of warehouse space for all the salvaged gems. A large client base is located in both London, England and throughout Ireland. The demand is great for American antiques internationally, keeping these items' histories alive.
As I wander through the vast store, a local design school is having a field trip and the class is in equal amazement at the objects found within. When I leave, I thank Joe Stren for his generous time at the impromptu interview, and leave with a vintage railroad nail, a "date nail," as they are called. One of them will only set you back a mere four dollars. If you are intrigued, you can do a little research. As with many finds in the store, quite a history is available for most items.
A guaranteed fun and interesting time is to be had at Olde Good Things. If you are looking to remodel, a perfect place to find a one of a kind item. A little bit of a time warp, and a nostalgic glow immerses you whilst you're inside. Then the spell is broken by reentering the streets of modern Los Angeles. This is a destination to be sought out and explored.
The beautiful and informative website: www.oldegoodthings.com
Michelle Williams
Editor at Large
Michelle Williams lives in Berkeley and is a former youth footballer star. Michelle's modern girl maxim? “Read lots... love old tech!”
about Michelle Williams »»
an 1800's barber's chair that had changed hands over the years between high profile actors and directors
the weekly guide to new releases
10 clickable things
☉ What can elephants, birds, and flamenco players teach a neuroscientist-composer about music? ☉
BOYCOTT University Challenge ☉
Bruce's Beach. Reparations really, or what? (NYT) ☉
Drag Shows are banned ☉
QPR: Promotion push to relegation fight, 474,000 a week losses and a rescue mission ☉
How to talk like a Chelsea coach ☉
De La Soul Streaming at Last (Gothamist) ☉
Why 1997 Changed Everything (NYT) ☉
Robert Forster: why Venus by Television is the most perfect song of all time (Guardian) ☉
Magentaverse ☉
RECENT STORIES
Adventures in the archives
RANDOM READS
What Readers are Reading Right Now
- Outsideleft Week in Music... Getting all Squid-like with RVG
We're hearing from RVG, Depeche Mode, U2, Inner Space Quartet, A Certain Ratio, Air Traffic Controller, British Electric Foundation (B.E.F), Lankum, Senestra, Whatitdo Archive Group, OMD, Eddie Chacon, Surprise Chef, Monika Roscher Bigband, Pozi, The Resolve, Stone Giants, CLT DRP, Bed Signs, Liars at the Witch Trial, Terzo, Maulen feat. Behzad Barazandeh, Tape Runs Out - Forty Years On: Dazzle Ships
Bedazzled: Jay celebrates OMD's finest album - In a league of their own - the beginnings of British Electric Foundation
Music for Stowaways: How BEF became your BFF - False Lankum by Lankum
Lankum's fourth album is full of strange delights. - A Matter of Life and Death
'Momento Mori' is Depeche Mode's best record in a very long time. - Big Dog Training
A new poem by Wayne Dean-Richards - Is It All About Feeding Bono's Ego At This Point
When does U2 realize that the best thing for it is a calm, dignified hiatus? - A Soundtrack for Stanford
Jay Lewis marvels at Senestra's compelling debut - Outsideleft Week in Music... Counting on Lloyd/Bean
We're hearing from... Lloyd/Bean, Swans, Modern Cosmology, Nuha Ruby Ra, The Damned, Eater, Tape Runs Out, Elita, Bloody Bananas, Resurrectionists, Librarians with Hickeys, Jimin, The Ironsides, Darkplace, Richard Norris, Hannah Jagadu, Secret Machines, Forty Feet Tall and Baby Jake - What Just Happened? In March only this mattered
The stories you readers read the most in March 2023
All About and Contributors
HELP OUTSIDELEFT
Outsideleft exists on a precarious no budget budget. We are interested in hearing from deep and deeper pocket types willing to underwrite our cultural vulture activity. We're not so interested in plastering your product all over our stories, but something more subtle and dignified for all parties concerned. Contact us and let's talk. [HELP OUTSIDELEFT]
WRITE FOR OUTSIDELEFT
If Outsideleft had arms they would always be wide open and welcoming to new writers and new ideas. If you've got something to say, something a small dank corner of the world needs to know about, a poem to publish, a book review, a short story, if you love music or the arts or anything else, write something about it and send it along. Of course we don't have anything as conformist as a budget here. But we'd love to see what you can do. Write for Outsideleft, do. [SUBMISSIONS FORM HERE]
WRITERS thru' the Years
Alan Devey, Alan Rider, Alex V. Cook, Ancient Champion, Andy Allison, Annemiek, Belle Plankton, Bruce Bailey, Caiomhin Millar, Chantal, Cheiron Coelho, Chris Connolly, Christian Present, Damon Hayhurst, Dan Breen, David Hackney, Denni Boyd, Dirty Lillie, DJ Fuzzyfelt, Dr. Richard Bennett, Duncan Jones, Erin, Erin Pipes, Erin Scott, Gracey Babs, Graham Baker, Guilaine Arts, H.xx, Hamilton High, Henderson Downing, Holly Martins, J. Charreaux, Jay Lewis, Jaycentee, Jennifer Lynn, Jenny McCann, Jeremy Gluck, Jez Collins, Joe Ambrose, John Robinson, Julie O, Karl Morgan, Katherine Pargeter, Kelsey Osgood, Kevin McHugh, Lake, Lee Paul, Luke Skinner, Malcolm, Marek Pytel, Mark Piggott, Meave Haughey, Michelle Williams, mindy strouse, Neil Campbell, Neil Scott, Ogglypoogly, OL House Writer, Pam, Paul Hawkins, Paul Quigley, Peter Williams, Pixie McMowat, Pixievic, Rene Williams, Rick Casson, Ronan Crinion, Ruby Lake, Ryan 'RJO' Stewart, Samantha Charles, Seth Sherwood, Shane O'Reilly, Sheridan Coyle, Sofia Ribeiro Willcox, Sophia Satchell-Baeza, Spanish Pantalones, Speedie John, Spencer Kansa, Steve McCarthy, The Conversation, Tim London, Tim Sparks, Toon Traveller, Wayne Dean-Richards, and founders, Alarcon & LamontpaulWEEK IN MUSIC
OUTSIDELEFT UNIVERSE
outsideleft content is not for everyone