Back in 2007-2008 I was doing commercial construction. A big job that I was running at the time was a $35m renovation at the nicest mall in the state. All the common areas got new lighting, paint, elevators, railings and imported tile flooring, just shy of 200,000 sq.ft. the job was at night as the mall was open during the day. Every morning it needed to look like we hadn't even been there except for the progress we made.
One of the cool benefits I got was total control of the mall at night. All stores in this particular mall are required to renovate their spaces every 5 years. It just so happened that there were a dozen stores getting remodeled during the duration of my project. The mall required them all to schedule access and deliveries for their store remodels with me. So, I ended up getting first pick of any store furniture, electrical, plumbing, anything that was getting removed. I scored tons of speakers, lights, toilets, furniture, cctv cameras, etc. The store remodel contractors where more than happy to let me pick what I wanted to in trade for easy access while my project was going.
I got these light fixtures out of a Banana Republic store.
They are huge, about 6' across.
These bookcases were Pottery barn display shelves. They are crazy heavy VG fir with glass inserts in the wood shelves.
Anyways the reason for sharing this is my latest project used the last of my recycled treasures from the mall. I scored 5- 16' long x 39" wide x 3" thick solid oak butcher block countertops.
They are so heavy. They came out of the William Sonoma store. They were pretty rough, some random holes and inserts, tape all over them, and scratched pretty good, I gave a lot of them away, a couple neighbors have them as kitchen countertops.
This is what I am doing with the last one.
A little work bench for the vault. I used some 2.5" angle iron, predrilled, painted it black and anchored it to the wall, then screwed into the butcher block top. As you can see by the photo, my intent was just to use it all rough at it was kinda used and abused, so installed it, as soon as it was installed, I realized I would like it to match the richer look of the wine cellar fixtures.
So, I went to town sanding it down. 60,80,100,150,220 grit to get it cleaned up.
Much better!
I also built some ammo storage cabinets and installed them under the bench. (In case I ever get any guns). I used some material left over from the ceiling paneling I will show later. The floor in front of the bench is just a rubber flooring product just laid loosely.
One of the cool benefits I got was total control of the mall at night. All stores in this particular mall are required to renovate their spaces every 5 years. It just so happened that there were a dozen stores getting remodeled during the duration of my project. The mall required them all to schedule access and deliveries for their store remodels with me. So, I ended up getting first pick of any store furniture, electrical, plumbing, anything that was getting removed. I scored tons of speakers, lights, toilets, furniture, cctv cameras, etc. The store remodel contractors where more than happy to let me pick what I wanted to in trade for easy access while my project was going.
I got these light fixtures out of a Banana Republic store.
They are huge, about 6' across.
These bookcases were Pottery barn display shelves. They are crazy heavy VG fir with glass inserts in the wood shelves.
Anyways the reason for sharing this is my latest project used the last of my recycled treasures from the mall. I scored 5- 16' long x 39" wide x 3" thick solid oak butcher block countertops.
They are so heavy. They came out of the William Sonoma store. They were pretty rough, some random holes and inserts, tape all over them, and scratched pretty good, I gave a lot of them away, a couple neighbors have them as kitchen countertops.
This is what I am doing with the last one.
A little work bench for the vault. I used some 2.5" angle iron, predrilled, painted it black and anchored it to the wall, then screwed into the butcher block top. As you can see by the photo, my intent was just to use it all rough at it was kinda used and abused, so installed it, as soon as it was installed, I realized I would like it to match the richer look of the wine cellar fixtures.
So, I went to town sanding it down. 60,80,100,150,220 grit to get it cleaned up.
Much better!
I also built some ammo storage cabinets and installed them under the bench. (In case I ever get any guns). I used some material left over from the ceiling paneling I will show later. The floor in front of the bench is just a rubber flooring product just laid loosely.
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