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The Story of Tom and Tiffany

Hello, we are Tiffany and Tom!

We have the romantic age-old story. We grew up together in Kennebunk, Maine, dated in high school and then both went off and lived some life. One day, while perusing Country Living Magazine, there he was in front of me in full color! The article talked about his business, Old House Parts Company, and his gift of creating with architectural salvage.

Tom and Tiffany on their first date in Diamond Cove
Tom & Tiffany on our first date in Diamond Cove
Old House Parts Company

We emailed a few times chatting about our lives for a year and a half. Then one day out of the blue, he called me, and we were both single! We planned to meet so I could have a tour of his 12,000 SF retail store in an old freight house. In 1996, he started the Old House Parts Company, because as a contractor he was throwing away beautiful Architectural pieces and wanted to give them a chance at new life. The concept took off and fifteen years later, salvage became the new design trend. Since that first day, we spend all our time together.

 

I invited him to celebrate my birthday, and he accepted immediately. For my gift, he brought a beautiful Antique Stained Glass Window. A few years later, he crafted an old world door around that window, which graces house we live in. It looks upon the old fishing harbor of Friendship, Maine. Entering our house, you pass through this gorgeous door which evokes the memory of our “first” date.

My first birthday present was a Stained Glass Window

Our first five years, we adventured the Maine Coast from Kennebunk to Moosehead Lake. We traveled in a custom travel trailer and houseboat, both handcrafted by Tom. We scoured antique stores, flea markets and yard sales for Architectural Salvage treasures.

Travel trailer crafted by Tom Joyal
Travel trailer complete with Antique windows and gas stove
Houseboat built by Tom Joyal in Moosehead Lake
Houseboat with many Architectural features
Cottage on Friendship Long Island
Friendship Long Island Cottage

Seven years ago, we purchased a house on Friendship Long Island. An island that you can only access by boat and has only walking trails. We spent magical and relaxing days reading, gardening and exploring the island. We saw glorious sunsets, eerie moon risings and wished on many shooting stars.

Evening sunset off Friendship Long Island
Evening Sunset off Friendship Long Island

Tom’s next venture was to create the Tiny Barge Transport Company. He had a steel landing craft built in Kentucky and drove it back to Maine. For four years, he mastered transporting to the many islands in Muscungous Bay. The list of cargo was extensive, including construction vehicles, building materials, hard wood, travel trailers, water containers, and trash. He never passed up a challenge.

Barge loaded with Travel Trailer
Tiny Barge loaded with Travel Trailer to take to Monhegan Island
Tiny Barge Transport load in Friendship Harbor
Tiny Barge load in Friendship Harbor
Tiny Barge loaded with truck and hay.
Tiny Barge loaded with truck with hay for Morse Island

Eventually, we sold the island house and purchased a 1960’s mainland ranch with water views. Tom transformed a plain ranch into a beautiful cottage by the sea. The improvements were nothing more than amazing. We expected this to be our forever home, and put ourselves into it completely.

Frontal view of Harborside House in Friendship Maine
Harbor House in Friendship Long Island

With all this going on, Tom was craving more challenges. In 2001, he had purchased a 59′ Brooklin Boatyard hull in disrepair. He envisioned a vintage Steamship-style, seaworthy vessel powered by solar panels and electric engines. He had built five houseboats to date, starting at 15 years of age. We had partied together on his first one in high school. Now was the time to fulfill his lifelong dream. It took 4 years to complete, and I was a “boat widow” and did not see him many nights and weekends. Tom incorporated many of the antique and salvage pieces we had collected over the years.  You can view pictures and videos of the progress of this One-of-a-Kind majestic boat build at www.evamericacruising.com.

Side view of EV America, a diesel electric vessel built by Tom Joyal
EV America, a diesel electric vessel built by Tom Joyal

If you’re not living on the edge,

you’re taking up too much space.

~Andrew wommack~

19 thoughts on “The Story of Tom and Tiffany”

  1. Sooooo happy you are both are enjoying life and all it has to offer!!! We miss you here in Maine, but also believe this is where God has placed you for now.

  2. Missing you both and and your pets❣Love your story and your adventures. Well done🙏. Can’t wait to see it all hopefully in the near future.

  3. A beautiful story from to amazing people!!! We miss you but at the same time so happy you are in this new journey together!!!! We are looking forward to watching your dreams come true!!! Miss you!!!❤❤

  4. Tiffany,

    You really don’t know me except through my brief participation in the ladies CBS Bible study with Karen Roen. She sent one of your last posts out and I have been absolutely loving reading about your new adventures! You are my kind of people!

    And before I forget, I just wanted to say what a wonderful writer you are! You definitely have a great talent for sharing and telling your story.

    Would love to know more about your dreams for Stillwater. It looks beautiful! Since I grew up in Florida and after my time in Russia, spent 16 years in NC, I love it dearly.

    Best wishes as you and Tom uncover more of what God has for you there.

    Donna Sutphin
    Donnalpitzer@yahoo.com
    727.967.4805

    1. Hi Donna, Thank you for your very kinds words. You have no idea how much I work to write….it isn’t my forte! Great idea….I should do a post as to our “current” vision for StillWater. We have many ideas which have been evolving as we spend more time becoming familiar with the seasons on our property. I’ll do that next. Thank you for reaching out. If you’re back in this part of NC, maybe you could stop by to say hello in person. ~Tiffany

  5. So Tiff, I thought I knew you so well, and now I discover more. I love the descriptions and the sunset images are gorgeous. When we chatted about the house on the island or even the one on the harbor I should have asked for photos because they show so much individualized design personality. Well done you two. I have wished you well for so long and I will continue to. I can see there is nothing you won’t tackle after constructing a dock and inserting giant bollards (or whatever they are called). Have fun with all.

  6. Appreciating the hard work you put into your site and in depth information you provide. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed information. Wonderful read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! I appreciate knowing that my efforts are being read and have been enjoyed. 🙂

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