apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Look for an interesting old grate at an architectural salvage store? You wouldn't find the exact same design, but who knows what you will find!

Cara_Mia, do you have a arch. slalvage store in the LA area that you could recommend?

You'll probably need to do some searching, WITH your fireplace opening measurements. Because one size does NOT fit all. And it will depend if you are looking for purely decorative or if you want a spark guard too.

Decorative:
http://www.funmetalcreations.com/new%20pics/metalaccessories/DM101%20fireplace%20screen.jpg
From here: http://www.funmetalcreations.com/decorativemetal.htm

A few styles here:
http://www.indigoiron.com/fireplace.htm

Notice they are not all identical in SIZE. So that if you want something that will fit that space EXACTLY, you need to know the measurements.

And I'm going to guess that the item is not a fireplace screen officially, but instead a wall plaque.

Like you might see at a restaurant?

Get out that measuring tape and take it with you on jaunts.

For future reference, when purchasing a home and you find fixtures and or appliances that you like, ask that they be included in the sale of the property. Many sellers (especially in today's market) are willing to part with items as part of the sale.

Liz: I live in the tundra of upstate NY, so no.

Reply from Japan, so this may not help you but... this screen is probably a Chinese antique wall panel like these (Japanese one is generally longer and narrower):
http://www.mandarin.st/syouhinnsyoukai/new-tategu-a.html

They do make panels to order (pattern/size). Made-to-order examples are here:
http://www.mandarin.st/syouhinnsyoukai/new-tategu-o.html

I don't think they export though...

Liz - There are a few great salvage stores in LA. My favorite is Silverlake Architechtural Salvage (address- 1085 Manzanita St, Los Angeles, CA 90029). This one has a good variety of items and a good size lot/ store. Plus, the owner is wonderful. So, if you are looking for something in particular just give him a picture and he will notify you if something similar comes in.

Another is the Santa Fe Wrecking & Salvage ((213) 623-3119; 1600 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA). The variety at this shop isn't as great as Silverlake. Like many salvage lots, they have a ton of doors. However, they really don't have much else except maybe a hundred toilets (which is just odd to me). But, if you're looking for a clawfoot tub, I would start here - they have a few nice ones. Another drawback is the location. I wouldn't go during rush hour. It's at a fairly busy intersection right off the freeway with a ton of pedestrian traffic and bus stops around the intersection (its a pain to get in and out).

The guys at Santa Fe pointed me to another salvage lot in Pasadena, but I was to tired to make the treck and don't recall where it is exactly. I'm sure there's more lots around LA though.

threekgen, those are nice!

Marvin, how about browsing regular metal wall art. I thought of that after dead ending looking for plaque and wall hangings, thanks to threekgen's post.

http://www.lampsplus.com/Products/wall-art/Style_Iron/

There's only about eleventy gazillion metal wall art items that are anywhere from mass produced to one of a kind, all over the internet.

Some are scenic, like these trees:
http://www.artisanhouseonline.com/
or
http://www.cerzanstudio.com/gurtan/september.html

There are ones that you might even be able to MAKE, using online images as inspiration to create something:
http://www.artisanhouseonline.com/shop/prod_297.html

Another idea...if you happen to be in the usual malls or stores, head over to the doormat section. Yes, the doormat section. For iron doormats, like here:
http://www.gidesigns.net/metal-doormats.html

I like those. They even had them at the local Safeway grocery last year, in a black finish and in a golden finish. They are HEAVY, the ones made from iron.

When I lived in LA I loved Liz's Antique Hardware on La Brea at 4th Street. They have everything to restore almost any style home. I bought some hardware there for the Quincy Jones house I lived in and some light fixtures for the 1940's apartment I rented.