Artisan-crafted products showcase reclaimed materials
Q. We are in the process of building a cabin in the woods, a dream we have had forever. We are using reclaimed wood and any other salvaged materials as much as possible to complete the rooms. Have you any sources or ideas for the kitchen and bathroom?
A. I admire your adventurous spirit, and I know how it feels to make a dream like this come true. I have been renovating an 800-year-old villa and farmhouse in Tuscany for three years now. I have made countless trips to stone quarries and salvage sites, as well as every kind of flea market and roadside sale, to gather material and furniture for my new home.
While scouting the Internet, I came across Native Trails ( www.nativetrails.net), a company that produces the most stunning sinks and cabinets. In their words, the pieces are artisan-crafted from natural and sustainable materials such as copper, concrete and reclaimed wood.
Here are some ideas and innovations you will want to check out.
FOR THE KITCHEN
Native Trails has handmade concrete sinks that are reinforced with jute fiber, a material that is extremely strong and sustainable. These sinks are about 40 percent lighter than standard concrete ones, and they are easy to care for.
Antique- and hammered-copper sinks, styled as farmhouse sinks and trough sinks, are handsome and practical, and they have a hand-hewn quality that is earthy and engaging.
The company’s antique-copper and brushed-nickel range hoods are unique and provide professional-grade ventilation.
FOR THE BATHROOM Vanities and mirrors are crafted by artisans using reclaimed wine-making materials and reclaimed barn wood.
The Bordeaux wall-mount vanity shown here is made from a reclaimed wine barrel. The Baby Classic undermount oval sink is available in antique copper or with a handdipped brushed nickel finish. The Bordeaux mirror frame is made from reclaimed wine-barrel tops; each frame has a unique barrel-maker’s stamp on it.
You’ll get that “wow” factor, combined with craftsmanship and sustainability — a good fit for your handmade home.
Q. I have a 1950s-era home. The bathroom has tiles in pink with black edges. Above the sink is a large chrome and glass mirror, with small compartments below the mirror for medicine-cabinet stuff. The whole mirror unit is in poor shape, and I want to replace the whole thing, but I am overwhelmed by the choices available. Can you recommend an option or two?
A. The 1950s style lends itself to today’s clean, modern pieces but also looks great with rustic chic, so you do have some interesting options.
I agree that you should start from scratch. It’s helpful to find a product that is new and different that you really like; then you can build on that.
Check out the new LED-lit mirrors; they are slim and provide movie-camera-quality light — everyone looks fab in these mirrors!
On either side of the mirror are modern open shelves to hold lotions, soaps and pretty bath products. These containers and the wonderful scents they give off add an inviting feeling of luxury to a bathroom. Open shelves are practical, and they look great as long as they are not overly cluttered.
Fill a basket with the hair dryer and other bathroom necessities, and keep this in the vanity cabinet.