Meet the duo behind Salvage Garden.

Buying home decor or furnishings new rarely brings me the same joy as a quality thrifted find. That’s the truth. In part because of the horrible environmental impact, but also because a mass-produced trendy decor piece isn’t going to make my house feel more like a reflection of me or the things I like. Quality materials, craftsmanship, novelty and the patina of age are what make a piece take-home worthy IMHO.

Cue Salvage Garden— architectural salvage and antiques, the perfect place to find art deco, industrial, art nouveau (and beyond) interior and exterior pieces. Designers and artful homeowners around the globe are known to shop and ship pieces from the Enterprise-based showroom. You don’t need to be a design aficionado to appreciate the raw beauty of these storied pieces. Read on to learn more about Salvage Garden and owners David Wood and Andrew Halkewycz.

EG: Tell us a little about yourselves.

DW: After long careers in sales and marketing in Toronto, we decided it was time for a change of pace — and a change of scenery. Drawn to the history and craftsmanship of old materials, we launched Salvage Garden in 2016. A year later, we purchased the former United Church in the village of Enterprise, Ontario — built in 1892 — and transformed it into a showroom where architectural fragments, antiques, and reclaimed materials could be beautifully displayed and photographed.

EG: How did you get started in the architectural salvage business?

DW: Our journey into architectural salvage started with a shared desire to reinvent ourselves while preserving history. We buy what we love, our focus is always on pieces we’d want to incorporate into our own projects — items made with integrity, craftsmanship, and a certain ‘it’ factor. Over the years, Salvage Garden has become known for its carefully curated mix of industrial, ecclesiastical, and architectural finds — each with a story to tell.

EG: What are some of your favourite finds over the years?

DW: Some treasures stand out in memory;

• Iron window grates from the former Yugoslavian embassy — purchased on the set of Salvage Kings — later found new life in a favourite restaurant project.

• A monumental 36-foot apothecary cabinet, circa 1910, from a Pembroke drugstore that closed in 1951 — now destined for an Ottawa business.

• 24 railway station corbels, each six feet tall, from a Northern Ontario station.

• Four Art Deco ballroom lights salvaged from the 1928 Manatonna Hotel in Brockville — oversized and breathtaking.

• And most recently, an industrial circular staircase in cast iron from a Quebec convent — once the path to a choir balcony, soon to be the focal point of a new interior.

EG: Tell us about your shop – what can visitors expect?

DW: Today, Salvage Garden operates primarily online, with 80% of sales coming through our digital storefront. The shift began during the pandemic and proved to be a natural evolution for the business. Our website allows us to showcase each piece in detail — celebrating the beauty and the imperfections — so customers can buy with confidence.

Our Enterprise showroom remains open to the public on Saturdays and by appointment, offering visitors the chance to see the scale and character of these historic materials in person.

"We buy what we love, our focus is always on pieces we’d want to incorporate into our own projects — items made with integrity, craftsmanship, and a certain ‘it’ factor."

EG: How does sustainability factor into your business practices?

DW: For us, sustainability isn’t a buzzword — it’s part of our daily practice. We strive to preserve remarkable architectural artifacts and antiques while treading lightly on the environment — mindful of the air, water, and soil that sustain us. It’s a delicate balance, but one that feels deeply rewarding. Our travels have brought us into contact with countless fascinating people and places, reinforcing the belief that preservation and creativity can coexist beautifully.

EG: Are there any memorable projects or salvage sites you can share with us?

DW: Salvage Garden’s pieces have found new life across North America and beyond:

• A New York restaurant and event space featuring several of our salvaged doors.

• A 420-pound industrial cabinet shipped to Luxembourg, soon to be transformed into a bar.

• Douglas Fir doors and trim from an Ottawa home now starring in a houseboat renovation in British Columbia.

• Copper-clad factory doors from Montreal reimagined as a home office door and a business entryway.

• An entire snowboard shop renovation built around our industrial doors and cabinetry.

EG: How did you find your unique church home/ shop? Did you have much renovation work to undertake?

DW: Settling the business in the Enterprise church felt serendipitous. We both live in the area and wanted to work close to home. It reduced travel, fit our environmental goals, and gave us a setting with character — the perfect backdrop for what we do.

"A home should provide comfort, safety, and a sense of belonging. We find joy in layering salvaged materials and meaningful objects — it’s how we express creativity and connect past craftsmanship with present life."

EG: What makes a house a home for you?

DW: Home is more than a place — it’s an expression. A home should provide comfort, safety, and a sense of belonging. We find joy in layering salvaged materials and meaningful objects — it’s how we express creativity and connect past craftsmanship with present life.

EG: Favourite Kingston stomping grounds?

DW: When not salvaging or restoring, we love exploring Kingston’s waterfront, enjoying local restaurants, wineries, and breweries, and discovering the many creative businesses that make the region thrive.

Connect with Salvage Garden –

Visit the showroom on Saturdays

Shop the online store

Instagram

Email

A sincere thank you to David and Andrew for sharing about their marvellous salvage and antique finds.