Although the idea of repurposing has been around for centuries, it has never been more popular than it is today. Structures that were once considered junk, trash or obsolete are now finding their way back into the Texas landscape and being given a fresh start.
Salvaging worn out, tired wood that others likely consider trash, Spector, along with shop mascot Rufus, and his team of builders find creative and functional uses for wood. With some structures dating as far back as the 1800s, This Old Wood takes lumber from all over Texas from the likes of barns, houses, stores and dance halls.
Board by board, Spector and his crew carefully dismantle those barns, houses and halls by hand, transporting the pieces back to his shop in South Austin. The types of wood Spector comes across include rare, antique longleaf pine, native to Texas. “The quality of the old growth pine is unparalleled,” he says.
Spector has helped design interiors and create special pieces for several local Austin businesses like, Bangers Sausage House & Beer Garden, the shiplap ceiling at Aviator Nation, and the bar tops for The Cat’s Pajamas.
By using wood from timeworn and out-dated structures, This Old Wood has become an eco-friendly building and remodeling solution aimed at preserving Texas history, turning trash to treasure and protecting our planet from wood rotting in landfills.
The Balanced Byline 