We are Artefacts, an architectural salvage company based in St. Jacobs, Canada. Established in 1986, we started specializing in the gathering and creative re-use of antique elements to help preserve history.
Making History
Salvaging Thousands of Buildings
Traveling Thousands of Kms
Re-using Tonnes
of Material
Crafting Hundreds of Pieces
In the beginning...
In 1986, the unfortunate demolition of nine houses in downtown Kitchener, every stick of which ended up as waste at the local dump, was the straw that broke the camel’s back. What was worse, the ruined doors were an exact match for a house in need down the street.
Surely this shouldn’t go on – surely there were others who needed doors, trim, hardware, flooring and more from these old beauties? This need was met with the opening that July of Artefacts Salvage & Design
Since then, Artefacts has become an indispensable resource for people interested in restoring, renovating and just plain fixing up their buildings – old and new. As interest in architectural history has grown, so has Artefacts’ desire to renovate our country’s built heritage. A need for tangible remnants of our past, apart from nostalgia, also fuels Artefacts’ drive to salvage and rebuild using antique architectural pieces.
Our clientele has
changed along with us.
To better serve our imaginative clientele, Artefacts has expanded the selection of stock entering the shop. Thus, traditional items such as doors, complete front entrances, fireplace mantels, stair components, cast iron floor grates and door hardware of brass and iron have been augmented by decorative columns, cornice brackets, ornate fireplace tiles, tin ceiling, iron fencing, carved stonework, terra cotta plus an assortment of ornamental cast and wrought iron gates and window grills.
Where we're going.
After 18 years in downtown St Jacobs, Artefacts moved to a larger facility a few blocks away on the edge of town by the train station. With more natural light, more room and better parking, we began anew. The larger building also allowed Artefacts to combine the showroom with the cabinetry and finishing studios (formerly located in Kitchener) where our pieces are transformed into new uses.
At over 9,000 square feet, our showroom, warehouse and shop spaces provide a pleasing atmosphere to view our stock in “as found” condition, refinished or indeed re-interpreted as new, custom creations. Customers routinely slip into the shop to take a peek at other clients’ work in progress.
The staff at Artefacts are skilled, versatile and creative and are ready to assist each individual in the application or re-interpretation of each of our antique pieces.
Meet our team:
Chris Blott
Chris developed his love for things old while in the museum field and, in 1988, joined Artefacts – sorting hardware, stripping doors and moving heavy things around. He co-owned the business with Scott Little until Scott retired in 2020. Chris now takes full responsibility for whatever goes on at Artefacts. He still moves heavy things around.
Mitchell Robinson
Mitchell has been working at Artefacts for more than half of his young life. Over that time, he has learned the art of demolition, the ins and outs of stock management and the finer details of repair and finish work (he is our shop finisher) but it’s his charm and kindness in the showroom that most of our clients talk about.
Steve Almeida
While Steve is our newest member, he is by no means new to the trade having worked in a number of shops building doors, furniture and the occasional tray for those hard candies that grandmas like. Steve now tackles all our custom work, repairs and whatever else comes his way.
Fischer
Our newest non-human member, Fischer joined the Artefacts team at the beginning of 2022 after some time in a crowded basket where he learned to excel. He brings a fluffy softness to the showroom and, unlike the rest of us, takes delight in being touched by random people. As he is not always on site, we recommend that, if you are coming to see him specifically, you should make an appointment.
Looking for a custom
furnished design?
We offer our services for tables, cupboards, beds, shelves, mirrors, gates and more!
Request A Quote
