When they were kids living in Lake Dalhalla, N.J., the Grannens used to go antiquing all over the East Coast in search of the ”high style” American furniture their parents collected. Each of the three Grannen offspring, in turn, cultivated a passion for collecting: Sheila loved old photographs. Stuart, bits of stained glass and iron. Laura, little machines and mechanical objects.
When they grew up, they went their separate ways. Laura works for a New Orleans art gallery. Sheila got a master`s degree in history and eventually ran that gallery. Stuart took a crack at buying and selling old stuff.
Now Sheila and Stuart have teamed up again, this time as business partners at Architectural Artifacts Inc., 3759 N. Ravenswood Ave.
(312-348-0622). In a 10,000-square-foot warehouse, they have amassed a treasure trove of ”anything associated with architecture” from the 19th and 20th Centuries. There are mantels (”from $100 strip-it-yourself to $2,000 highly carved walnut), ceramic tile, light fixtures (Victorian to Deco), architectural drawings, massive bronze doors (once belonging to elevators), all sorts of building parts. Prices range from $2 to $20,000.
They`re also known throughout the country for supplying sculptural terra cotta.