“Persistence paid off when I purchased this foreclosed and trashed duplex from a big national bank in 2008 for $50,000. The value’s more than quintupled now. Visitors can learn how to rehab a property with very little money, lots of imagination, finds from the Habitat ReStore and other scavenging.”
This invitation to visit Barbara Bridges’ Northeast home is on indefinite hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. The April 25-26, 2020 tour was canceled but Bridges and the tour’s organizers posted a video tour at www.MSPHomeTour.com under the “news” tab. The property is dense with works collected from around the world and created in the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District.”
An artist and teacher/college professor for over 40 years, “Dr. B” Barbara Bridges’ sculptures have been exhibited in Maine, the Virgin Islands, Miami, Maryland, Chicago, Mexico, Spain, Canada and throughout Minnesota. She was voted The Art Teacher of Minnesota twice. Bridges is also the founder and director of the non-profit Art to Change the World. Info at arttochangetheworld.org.
Her tips for approaching property rehab using art and scavenging were featured in a Northeaster story by Alicia Scott on Hennepin County’s new grant program that encourages homeowners to deconstruct for re-use when they remodel.
Here are some more images from Barbara Bridges’ earlier creative homes, in Maine.
1970’s Bought a 1 room schoolhouse in the mountains of Atkinson, Maine for $500.00. Built a small house with a two story fireplace from railroad ties and other found building materials. Sold the property for $47,000 15 years later.
1980’s Bought a cottage on the coast of Maine for $30,000.00. Created many unique features. See pictures/read more: http://bridgescreate.com/chateau-mer-rental/
Bridges also rescued a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home in St. Cloud.
“I have always been an environmentalist and a dyed in the wool Mainer. Before I acquire anything new, I ask myself these questions: Do I really need this thing? Can I buy this thing used? Can I make this thing? A lifetime of living with this philosophy has been kind to the planet and kind to my financial health.”
Advice for anyone who might be considering salvage/reuse/recycling?
“Make sure you are the type of person who enjoys the hunt for materials. Make sure you have a place to store your treasures while they are waiting to find a new purpose. Stay fluid when you are working on a specific project. Stay open to finding something which takes you off in an entirely different direction! You Tube is your new best friend. Your skill will improve and your satisfaction will grow with each project. If you are a perfectionist…hire the work out.”
Barbara Bridges narrates a YouTube tour around her apartment in the Holland neighborhood here.