Reclaiming a Home

Since we first used reclaimed wood walls in our most recent new build we have had MANY requests for something similar.  The wood we used at 1817 Braeburn was pulled out of a house that we were tearing down and that was almost gone... So my quest for more reclaimed wood began.

Enter Pamela.  I found Pamela on Craigslist and her reclaimed tongue and groove heart pine caught my eye, but as is often the case there is much more to her story than simply some old wood in the price range that I was looking for.

Pamela has taken on the physically and emotionally challenging task of disassembling her Georgia family home board by board.  

This house had been home to her family for 4 generations.  Built by her grandparents, her mother was born in the home, Pamela was raised there and she even lived there with her young son.  

The house as a whole was beyond repair but Pamela couldn't bear to see the beautiful, windows, doors, walls and floors that were still in good shape just torn down and discarded.

I'm sure that tearing down a home and stacking up all those memories must come with its fair share of sadness for Pamela, but there is something so lovely about a home that has been exposed.  After all the adornment is stripped away, most buildings seem stronger and wiser and far from vulnerable.  I love that some of the tenacious spirit of this home continues on in a new home and with a new generation.