Old treasures popular in new homes

Suzanne Kittel has learned 'you can't pass up a good deal and you have to keep replacing the things you sell." She and husband Brad admit it is sometimes the thrill of the hunt that makes the business enjoyable. -Staff photo by Taylor

January 31, 2002 -- Someone once said, "Everything old is new, again."

Driving along the countryside or through a new housing development, more and more people are choosing new houses that look old, but contain all the new technology to which we are accustomed.

Tucked away in Gonzales is a real speciality shop, Discovery Architectural Antiques, owned and operated by Brad and Suzanne Kittel.

Walking into the vast building that was originally built and used by the Odd Fellows, everywhere you look are treasures from the past that can be incorporated into new or restored homes or businesses.

The Kittels lived and worked in Austin in the real estate business until about five years ago when they purchased the property in Gonzales.

"We bought old houses, small houses, and we fixed them up and resold them. Some we kept, and we were always looking for old parts and pieces and we had, actually, acquired quite a few and had them in our warehouse," said Suzanne.

The decision to move to Gonzales was based on two major things, according to Brad. Number one was the centralized location between Houston, Austin, Corpus Christi, and San Antonio. Number two was the price of real estate at the time they were looking.

While the Kittels were able to pick up a number of supplies through the purchase of old houses, there was a real need to find more.

"We thought we had a lot of stuff when we moved from Austin, but not enough to create a real business. We sold property we had to help finance this venture and we really just worked on getting inventory for the first three years.

"We spent a lot of time traveling, making contacts and meeting people. Now, we're to a point where people will come to us or call us and say, 'Hey, we have blah, blah, blah,' so we're not out there beating the bushes looking for things like we were," said Suzanne.

She said they have used any and all methods for the vast selection of stained glass, period lighting, vintage doors, wood flooring, wooden beams, lumber tubs ceiling tin and various other antique building supplies that are available to their customers.

While many of their supplies are from Texas, they have supplies come from farther south, and the Eastern part of the United States. If they can't find a special item, they will travel to find it.

"You know, Texas is really a young state," said Brad.

While houses built in the 1800s can be found in almost any town or city, it's nothing to find blocks of them, and even houses built in the 1700s, back in the Eastern states.

"You can't pass up a good deal and you have to keep replacing the things you sell," said Suzanne.

"Right now, a lot of people who are building new homes are putting old beams in their homes, and so we're always looking for things like that."

The Kittels said that they have many customers looking for the old flooring, stained glass, and hardware.

Brad has a background and a lot of experience in the building trade so he is able to advise the customers and offer his experiences.

"The customer gets that as an added benefit. As he's talking about the product, he's imparting a lot of this knowledge to them, which helps out a lot, I think," said Suzanne.

The couple enjoy going out and meeting people and have traveled all over the United States in search of supplies. There is no school to go to in order to learn the business, she said it is trial and error to some extent.

"For instance, we have 3,000 doors. Well, after buying 3,000 doors, you learn what you don't want in a door and what you do want. But, you buy a lot of those that you don't want to find out what you do want!" Susanne laughed.

She said that trends affect sales, too. Last year, they sold a lot of old barn wood. This year, it's more beams for ceilings. About the only downside to the business is the fact that you are dealing with a set amount of certain supplies. If a customer comes in needing 10 pieces of a certain ceiling tin and you only have nine, it's too bad, unless you're lucky enough to find more in a special search.

"With old things, you're limited by that," said Suzanne. "A lot of people like the old patina (greenish tint, caused by oxidation, on bronze or copper). You can't duplicate that."

Brad summed up his love of the business in one short statement: "It's the fun of the hunt."

Next week's edition of Country World will feature an advertising spotlight of several South Central Texas antique businesses.