22 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} When did you begin collecting interesting items? One of my first salvage jobs was at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Los Altos, built in 1924. I was able to salvage some of the cast stone ornamentation from the facade, including statuettes of several disciples and of Jesus Christ himself! It seemed like a sign. What are some favorite finds over the years? Solon and Schemmel tiles from the Steinhardt Aquarium, a twoton marble bathtub from a 10th floor apartment, bronze doors from the Temple Emanu-el in San Francisco, a piece of Stanford Stadium, a pipe organ from 1914. I’ve also collected items from Carolands Mansion in Hillsborough and Mapes Hotel in Reno. Is there a period in history that interests you most? I find current events plenty interesting. Amazing changes are happening all around us, on a daily basis. What is your most cherished possession? My wedding ring. Where are your favorite places to go hunting for new items? I really don’t look for anything. They find me! In the late ‘90s, I travelled across the country a few times “picking” with a friend. It was fun, but I realized my skills really were better suited to a jobsite. I started working as a demolition contractor and figured it was better to get paid to take away “garbage” than to go around and pay for stuff. Who do you look up to? I try to look up to everyone. There are lots of unsung heroes, trying their best every day. THE Q & A JAMES DAWES Is it true that you acquired some items from an old asylum? Yes, the Agnews Development Center East in Santa Clara. I worked with a great team at Swinerton Builders to recover some of the notable architectural details before they built three new schools on the site. It was kind of fun—but kind of creepy too! Any mishaps on the job that you can laugh about now? When I was at the Agnews Development Center, I got locked in after-hours. I had to break out through the cyclone fencing, and all I had was a Leatherman tool. Do you have any phobias? Pickles. Do you have any items connected to renowned Palo Alto architect and artist Pedro de Lemos? Yes, I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, working at the Hacienda de Lemos. The owners were incredibly kind, and entrusted me to steward some of his light fixtures and tiles to their next assignment. What is something on your bucket list? The 2027 full solar eclipse in Luxor, Egypt. What’s your favorite quote? Measure twice, cut once. What are people always surprised to learn about you? That I’m colorblind. I don’t know why that is surprising, but it has gotten me out of many, many meetings on tile and paint colors. The owner of architectural salvaging company Placemakers talks about favorite finds, repurposing strategies and the spookiest place he’s worked.
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