One thing which makes me very happy is taking what most people would consider garbage and finding a use for it, or using it to make something beautiful. This tendency of mine doesn't necessarily have the same effect on other people (in fact, sometimes it produces rather impressive amounts of frustration), but regardless, I have realized if done properly, it is a very good thing. I have also realized it is one of the reasons I am so excited about Chiara House! I've provided a link to the website if you'd like to know more about the project, but basically, we are renovating an old apartment building with the intent of eventually turning it into a place of intentional Christian community: a group of people living out their lives together, practising radical hospitality, loving God, and loving others in the context
of our neighbourhood.
So far the main thing I've actually been able to help with has been cleaning out all the garbage from the building, and in that process I have had many moments of sadness as I saw neat old doors get tossed in the dumpster, claw foot bathtubs which I know we won't be keeping, and all sorts of other treasures which got thrown away. I've been able to rescue a few things, but I'm also trying to resign myself to the fact I don't really have much of a say in the project, and nor should I - I know nothing about renovating an old building or re-finishing old bathtubs, and don't really understand the implications of most of my ideals, or of keeping all this old stuff.
Anyway, all that being said, I'd like to share some pictures. I and my two house-mates, Kathryn and Brenden, went to visit and do a photo shoot the other day... these pictures were taken by me and Kathryn.
Ok, so this picture has nothing to do with Chiara House. It's a Singer sewing machine (from the 1950s) which Kathryn co-found by a dumpster, and my dad fixed up so it's usable. I was pretty excited about it!
Alright.
This is Chiara House. Most of the building has hardwood floors, and most of the bathrooms have claw foot bathtubs, but unfortunately both would cost too much to re-finish. Plus, the floors wouldn't be practical in the long run.
I hope we can keep the stairway banisters!
I love radiators! I know they are completely unpractical, but I hoped at least we could keep that pretty silver one. This picture is of the scrap metal collection, so I don't think there's much hope.
Walls I am completely fine with getting rid of. In fact, I am looking forward to potentially getting to help demolish some!
Here's the address... 490 Maryland St. It's not much to look at from the outside, but I do like the brick.
