do you know your local building material reclaimer/recycler?

[mopinko]

2. yeah, not just cheap, but the good stuff.

there are a lot of them popping up here because cook county has a rule that 30% of building materials are supposed to be recycled.
not that it is widely done, or even known, but at least some of the bigger guys know. since it's a 501, you can get a tax deduction, and who doesnt love that?

also happens that the woman who runs it was a contractor on the ritzy northshore for 20+ years, and knows everybody. she did lots of work for the many pritzkers, the hyatt hotel family.
what those people up there tear out is better than most new homes. and because they are all so big, there are enough parts for a good sized kitchen and leftovers.

it can be a challenge to design on the fly, and to design w what you have. but it is a really fun challenge.