Renovator’s Supply: Preserving the Craftsmanship of America’s Architectural Heritage
Renovator’s Supply, Inc., often called Rensup, stands as a well-known American manufacturer and distributor of antique reproduction fixtures and architectural products. Based in Millers Falls, Massachusetts, the company has earned respect for its dedication to preserving the beauty and integrity of classic design. It specializes in Victorian and period style bathroom fixtures, lighting, hardware, and décor that capture the character of another era while meeting the standards of modern living. Over the decades, Renovator’s Supply has built a reputation for excellence in craftsmanship, offering products such as high tank pull chain toilets, porcelain pedestal sinks, clawfoot bathtubs, and reproduction antique hardware that remain in demand among homeowners, designers, and restoration professionals.
The story of Renovator’s Supply began in the late 1970s when founders Claude Andre Jeanloz and Donna Jeanloz purchased an eighteenth-century colonial farmhouse that required careful restoration. As they worked on their home, they discovered how difficult it was to find authentic period materials. Simple fixtures like Norfolk latches, rim locks, and clawfoot tubs had disappeared from most hardware stores, leaving few options for those wishing to maintain architectural authenticity. Their frustration turned into inspiration, and in 1978, they established Renovator’s Supply with the goal of reproducing the very items that were becoming impossible to find. They began by producing a small black and white catalog of about 400 products, which they distributed to readers of The Old House Journal. The response was immediate and encouraging. Preservation-minded homeowners across the country placed orders, and the company quickly found its niche as a trusted source for traditional American design elements.
As demand grew, Renovator’s Supply transformed from a small distributor into a true manufacturer. To maintain quality and meet rising expectations, the company opened its own foundry, woodworking shop, and brass forge. This move allowed it to produce fixtures and hardware based on historic patterns, ensuring that every item met a high standard of authenticity. Renovator’s Supply also pursued patents and trademarks for its designs in both the United States and China, establishing itself as an innovator within a field deeply rooted in tradition. Its commitment to preserving design accuracy while embracing efficient production methods helped it stand out in a competitive market.
The 1980s were a defining decade for the company. In 1982, Renovator’s Supply launched Victorian Homes magazine, which celebrated nineteenth-century interior styles and design principles. The publication helped promote an appreciation for traditional American architecture and influenced a broader cultural revival of Victorian aesthetics. During the same period, the company expanded its reach by opening a network of retail stores throughout the Northeast, at one point operating as many as sixteen locations. It also explored creative new ventures, including a catalog called Aristera that served left-handed customers. This period of experimentation reflected the company’s willingness to innovate while staying loyal to its roots in craftsmanship and authenticity.
By the 1990s, Renovator’s Supply had become a familiar name in the mail-order world. Its catalogs circulated nationwide, distributing millions of copies each year. The company’s efforts contributed to a growing interest in historic preservation and traditional home design across America. However, the late 1990s brought new challenges. Issues related to technology updates during the Y2K transition and the costs associated with running an advanced warehouse system placed financial strain on operations. At the same time, shopping trends were changing as more customers began turning to the internet. Rather than resist this shift, Renovator’s Supply adapted early. It was among the first in its sector to invest in e-commerce, an important step that allowed it to transition smoothly from print catalogs to digital retail.
In the years that followed, the company’s commitment to innovation and quality continued to define its success. Entering the 2010s, Renovator’s Supply had established a strong digital presence that built upon decades of catalog marketing experience. In 2015, the company expanded further by joining Amazon Canada, extending its reach to Canadian customers after years of success selling through Amazon in the United States. This move demonstrated the company’s ability to stay relevant in an industry where both heritage and technology play essential roles.
Today, Renovator’s Supply continues to operate from Massachusetts, where many of its traditional fixtures are still produced in-house. The company also collaborates with long-established international mills and suppliers to source select items that meet its strict standards for quality and design accuracy. Its product range now includes bathroom fixtures such as pedestal and corner sinks, vanities, clawfoot bathtubs, and high tank pull chain toilets. It also offers faucets in a variety of finishes, including brass, chrome, and specialty styles inspired by classic designs. Lighting fixtures remain another major product line, with chandeliers, sconces, and wall lamps crafted to match historical patterns. Beyond these, Renovator’s Supply produces architectural hardware like hand forged iron hinges, brass and glass doorknobs, locksets, cabinet hardware, and other decorative elements that enhance the authenticity of period homes. The company’s selection extends to home décor pieces, including wainscoting, mirrors, moldings, and staircases, as well as outdoor items such as fencing, mailbox posts, and garden ornaments.
The enduring success of Renovator’s Supply lies in its ability to preserve the originality and charm of heritage designs while refining their construction with modern technology. For example, the company’s Victorian-style high-tank toilets now incorporate precision-engineered ceramic disc valves in place of traditional rubber ones, delivering smoother operation, greater durability, and leak-proof performance. This careful blending of time-honored craftsmanship and engineering innovation exemplifies Renovator’s Supply’s mission to bring the best of both worlds to its customers.
In addition to manufacturing, Renovator’s Supply provides reliable distribution services. It offers discounts for bulk orders and supplies products through its website, Amazon, and a network of affiliate partners. Despite its growth, the company has remained loyal to the principles that inspired its creation. Each product reflects the founders’ original belief that quality and history should coexist in every well-designed home. This philosophy has helped Renovator’s Supply maintain a loyal customer base that values authenticity, craftsmanship, and American design heritage.
Over the years, Renovator’s Supply has been recognized for its important role in the home restoration community. Its early catalogs and magazines helped introduce a new generation to the beauty of Victorian architecture and period style living. Many architects, designers, and preservation enthusiasts credit the company for making it possible to restore homes with materials that feel true to their origins. By keeping traditional manufacturing alive and accessible, Renovator’s Supply has ensured that a key part of America’s architectural story continues to thrive.
What began as one couple’s search for authenticity has grown into a lasting enterprise that connects the craftsmanship of the past with the needs of the present. Renovator’s Supply remains a rare example of a company that not only produces products but also preserves a tradition. Through its dedication to accuracy, quality, and design integrity, it continues to shape the way people experience and appreciate America’s architectural heritage.
