The story below is from our September/October 2019 issue. For the full issue Subscribe today, view our FREE interactive digital edition or download our FREE iOS app!
See the beautiful interior of Black Dog Salvage’s Pet Project.
Bob Sowder
The Stone House (plus Kulp and Whiteside and their salvage dogs)
Salvage:
v. the act of saving or rescuing property from danger;
n. something extracted as valuable or useful.
Robert Kulp’s eyes sparkle when he talks salvage.
While he explains the process used to fashion the old corrugated glass from a C&O railroad repair station in Clifton Forge into new windows and light fixtures, you hear his passion.
When he remembers that the kitchen island includes metal salvaged from a circa 1910 barn in Winchester, and you ask about his cataloging system, he chuckles.
And when he speaks of building deck rails of the teak from a 1970s Navy Yard Patrol craft, he positively gleams.
That very passion pulled the trigger on him and partner Mike Whiteside to start Black Dog Salvage in 1999. And all these “acts of saving or rescuing property from danger” were done as part of the renovation job of The Stone House, BDS’ new historical venue available as a short-term rental.
Inspiration Strikes
After three years in business, BDS needed more space. In 2003, they purchased the old Magic City Laundry building next to the Memorial Bridge near Grandin Village.
Included in this purchase was a large stone house built in 1911 by stonemasons Michael and Robert Grosso. Michael Grosso immigrated from Italy in 1886 and, as tales tell, was refused entrance into the upscale neighborhood across the road because he was Italian and Catholic.
When BDS purchased the property, the house was extremely run down.
“The exterior wood was rotted,” says Kulp, “and it was not connected to the grid.”
Not having the means to take care of it then, they acquired a façade grant with the city to stabilize the front, boarded it up to protect from vandals and used it for storage.
In 2012, the company started using the front rooms of the lower level of the house as a recording studio for their Salvage Dawgs TV show. Still without windows or heating and air conditioning, it proved an uncomfortable situation.
“In those first few episodes,” says Kulp, “you can see us sweating in the summer and the vapor from our breath in the winter.”
Since the Roanoke River Greenway runs right behind the property, and the city erected Vic Thomas Park where a trailer park once stood, Christa Stephens, BDS branding and promotions director, thought it would be a good idea to turn the stone house into a rental property.
“Walk a mile down the greenway,” says Stephens, “and you have three restaurants, Roanoke Mountain Adventures and River Rock Climbing Gym. Walk across the bridge and you have historic Grandin Village.”
And so the fun began.
From Dilapidated to Jaw-Dropping
Discovering asbestos in the plaster walls created an unforeseen challenge for this nationally acclaimed salvage crew. The discovery meant they had to remove all the interior walls. Fortunately, the exterior walls of two courses of brick and one course of stone remain.
“The asbestos removal,” Kulp says, “was an unexpected $40,000 expense.”
But to look at the results, you’d never know their budget took such a hit.
“The other challenge,” he continues, “was packing all the modern conveniences into the design.”
They took a 2,400-square-foot home with one bathroom and created three suites with private baths, a half-bath downstairs, a modern kitchen and a Sonos sound system throughout the house.
A Showcase for the Salvage Dawgs’ Craftsmanship
In every room and at every turn, guests enjoy the beauty the talented BDS crew creates from otherwise unlovely materials. From the den’s walls of reclaimed barn wood and the entertainment center that hides the plumbing to the kitchen can lights made from bakelite spools from an old textile mill, their gifted eye to see ingenious ways to use random objects is evident.
In addition to showcasing their work, The Stone House is full of items available for purchase. From the artwork on the walls to the knickknacks on the shelves, many of the furnishings are for sale (with price tags discreetly tucked under or behind.)
That’s not all. Right next door, guests can explore a 40,000-square-foot treasure trove in the BDS showroom. There, visitors will find a diverse collection of salvaged items from around the world, assorted garden statuary and artwork from local and regional artists.
A Private Spot Within a Stone’s Throw of Fun
Since August 2018, guests have used The Stone House for all kinds of fun. It sleeps six and has room to entertain up to 30 guests. Private parties, family reunions and corporate retreats are just a few ideas that Stephens suggests.
“It’s been really fun to see how the house is used,” she says. “Grubhub did a photo shoot here. And last week chocolatepaper hosted a bridal brunch in the house.”
And, of course, Salvage Dawg Grayson used The Stone House for her wedding party in June.
Situated right on the Roanoke River Greenway and the Roanoke River Blueway, The Stone House is a private venue just a few minutes from shopping, eating and adventure.
Less than a mile away, in historic Grandin Village, guests will find restaurants, movies, ice cream and more. On the greenway are Roanoke Mountain Adventures and UnderDog Bikes. Keep going and you’ll hit the up-and-coming Wasena neighborhood. Downtown is five minutes away, the Appalachian Trail is 25 minutes and across the street is Roanoker readers’ 2019 Silver Best Hidden Gem—Tacos Rojas.
And the best part for salvage buffs?
“If we know guests are fans of the show,” Stephens says, “we’ll try to arrange a meet and greet with the cast.”
What could be more fun than that?
Amazing Highlights of The Stone House
The Stone House showcases the best of the amazing work of the Black Dog Salvage team. Their finds come from all over the world and from all kinds of structures—homes, factories, barns and even boats. Highlights from The Stone House include:
In the dining room hangs a chandelier made from a salvaged wood pattern from the Philadelphia Ship Yard. The wood pattern in the chandelier is what shipbuilders use in their vessels. Suspended from that are antique aqua electric insulators and a glass globe handblown by Grace Whiteside.
This imposing chandelier hangs over a table made from an antique retort basket from a commercial cannery.
Covering one wall behind the dining room table is a bookshelf created from a baby grand piano.
The downstairs bathroom vanity is an upcycled furniture factory workbench.
They cut the salvaged corrugated glass walls from the C&O railroad repair station in Clifton Forge to create a transom window and light fixtures.
The kitchen island includes salvaged beams from the stagecoach inn (circa 1780) in Glade Springs and metal from a 1910 barn in Winchester.
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