where the wild doors are

Having grown up building houses walking into the ReBuilding Center felt like revisiting a much larger version of our garage. Goodwill for the remodeling soul. A contractor/architect's wonderland.

Need siding, a toilet, some random frames, a mid century modern door, and a kitchen's worth of cabinets, but don't want to pay a small fortune (and would like a small role in saving the planet)? Look no further.

Not only for those looking to lovingly restore Craftsman homes or a quaint bungalows, the RBC (located on the south end of  N Mississippi's food and shopping friendly strip) is also a treasure trove of raw material for creatives. Those who see the magic of what objects could be might want to come with a truck. I could easily fill our tiny apartment with randomnities (yes, another attempt to create a new word, random + oddities) found there. Following our last visit I walked out with several "canvases" (I mean cabinet doors), cheap and large, perfect for my attempts to paint.

There's not much more to say. Other than take your time and a shrewd partner who'll keep you from turning your own residence into a mini ReBuilding center.

ReBuilding Center
3625 N Mississippi AvePortland, OR 97227
(503) 331-1877
www.rebuildingcenter.org/