Nov 29 2010
Tim Leefeldt's Railroadware and insulatorlights combines glass insulators, traffic light lens and railroad parts for pendant lights, handsome door pulls or refrigerator magnets and cabinet pulls … that's also are a conversation piece.
"In a recycled world, everything old can be new again. Castoffs can take on entirely different shapes and styles, serve totally new purposes. But sometimes, the second time around can bring past charms into the home…"
Railroad spikes as towel holders & a toilet paper dispenser? Trafficlights as chip 'n' dip platters? Railroad anchors and spikes as door handles, cabinet pulls and toilet paper dispensers?
All it takes is imagination and, yes, the right set of tools.
What Is RailroadWare?
Railroadware is made with reclaimed repurposed railroad hardened steel parts and other industrial objects. These very abundant clips and spikes are then transformed into new useful hardware and decorative home furnishings.
The common rail anchor and railroad spike, 100 year old glass insulators and traffic light lenses are the essential functioning parts and assemblies of the Railroadware product line. All Railroadware is heavy duty carbon steel and rail tested. The rust shows all hardware has spent years of hard time on the rails.
The parts are combined to create a variety of heavy duty rustic hardware, home decorative products and lighting fixtures.
The raw parts are cut, drilled, grinded and bent and combined with other objects to give them a new form and purpose. They are then cleaned and given a new life assignment and duty however, the rust remains and is an essential part of the look. I purposely maintain the natural rust state to additional parts added through various techniques but mostly adding additional sunshine and rain cycles and safe sealers.
All parts old and new are rusted to blend the old with the new and maintain the raw industrial hardware look. Railroadware comes with a hand rubbed oil finish and steel sealer for a lasting old world look for both indoor and outdoor re-purposing.