parham waddell | what’s new

What’s more sustainable than building new? Rebuilding what we have. Great old buildings are in need of love, and probably lots of extra insulation. Lloyd Alter of Treehugger posits a rethinking of the American economy.

Just a bit of old-fashioned advice, from our friends at the USDA and those clever urban homesteaders at Path to Freedom. (Warning: this site is addictive.)

Fresh off vacation (*whew*) and with the weather in Washington finally thinking about breaking, it’s time to clear the way for new stuff. The goal is to clear out the office, the garage and an overcrowded storage unit to the greatest extent possible. Some of these things haven’t seen the light of day in years […]

Room Thermometer - ‘TEL-TRU’
steel, plastic
mid-20th Century
Germanow-Simon - Rochester, New York
$24 SOLD
Nice mid-century room thermometer manufactured by the Germanow-Simon optics company. This is a fully functioning unit, with a gauge measuring to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Measures 3 1/2″ circumference. Red enamel with some surface rust and pitting in the chrome trim ring. Sold as-is in unrestored, […]

Wooden Screwdriver - ‘Perfect Handle’ Type
wood, steel
early- to mid-20th Century
United States
~$7-25.
There’s probably no better way to begin the Small Things series than with the lowly screwdriver. As one of the most commonly used hand-tools, few people pay much attention to these household workhorses. We love ‘em though, especially when they’re made of wood and steel, […]

Next week, we’re gonna try something a little different. People have been asking “So what else are you hiding?” Being packrats to the highest degree, the answer is “A lot.” Our inspiration comes from a variety of places, namely museum visits, trips to the country, and conversations with interesting people. The spectrum of durable, well-designed […]

M.B.W Chemical Bottles & Tops (Set of 10)
cork-lining, aluminum, glass
approx. 1903-1926
Millville Bottle Works - Milville, NJ
We use a few to store a collection of miniscule insects, sand from the beach, and other small treasures from the natural world.
Inquire for more photos or to purchase.