Retrouvius
Husband and wife team adam Hills and maria speake run Retrouvius, an architectural salvage and design company working both residentially and on projects such as The George hotel in Rye and shops for Perfumer H’s Lyn Harris and cobbler Rupert Sanderson. Here, Adam shares what catches his vintage-loving eye…
How did you get interested in salvage?
We were straight out of college (Maria and I met on our first day at the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow) and for us, it was very much about saving materials that had an innate value. At the time, in the early Nineties, it wasn’t something many people recognised – provenance wasn’t as important as it is now.
What do you love about vintage pieces?
They give depth to an interior – I always think new things often feel a little uncomfortable, they need to wear in a bit, whereas salvaged pieces have stood the test of time. With age and patina, a lovely bit of wood always becomes warmer in colour and tactile to touch.
How do you sort the diamonds from the duds on a demolition site?
We’ve never been interested in what’s in fashion – I look at quality first, what might be popular next and what I like last. When we first started, pale woods such as beech and maple were in, but now darker woods are more popular for flooring, so maple has become a good choice if you’re on a budget.
What sort of things have you saved?
Concourse limestone flooring (imprinted with fossilised sea creatures, part of the original Fifties design by Sir Frederick Gibberd) from Heathrow Terminal 2, some of which we’ve reused for our own bathroom. Tons of cast iron from the old London Patent Office, the granite façade of the World Trade Centre in Canary Wharf and loads of mahogany cabinets from the National History Museum, plus school and science-lab iroko worktops – it’s hard-wearing and makes great tabletops and shelving.
Is it expensive?
We made the decision early on not to charge a fortune – we love selling to a wide range of people and, for us, it’s about how much we can save from destruction. If we go on to a site and rescue 100 lights, we want to sell those 100 lights.
How should you balance old and new?
Treat vintage pieces likes works of sculpture – play with a few items rather than have everything vintage, otherwise it looks like a junk shop. Just one beautiful, interesting piece, such as a curvaceous Fifties chair, will uplift a room. Mix things up too – go for a bit of modern, a bit of old, a bit of light, a bit of dark. If everything’s absolutely styled to the max, it’s not very comfortable for everyday living.
Anything to look out for?
A kitchen carcass in proper wood will always be better than one in chipboard – solid-wood furniture will always be better than ones with veneer. And be aware of scale with industrial pieces – for example, make sure you’ve measured (and measured again) the space you need to fill (taking into account the height and width of doorways and/or windows for when you bring it home). Don’t buy in a rush, make sure it’s fit for purpose (sit on it, try it out, give it a good look over). And if you’re buying online, be aware of the returns policy and factor in the (often steep) cost of returning it, should you not like it.
What about buying things that need restoring?
I prefer things that don’t need fixing, such as lamp shades that easily fit the standard 27cm BC fitting, otherwise it gets complicated needing hard wiring and professional testing. If you really love something, be super-realistic about what you’re taking on – a table may cost £100, but the joiner might give you a bill for £500.
What about different ways to use flooring?
A beautiful parquet floor can be very cheap to buy, but expensive to lay – don’t waste it on the floor, where it will go largely unnoticed, instead use it to panel walls and cupboard doors. A lovely old timber with texture and history on a wall gives a room a focal point and helps remove the anxiety of being faced with a blank white space.
Any other favourite vintage accessories?
Rugs or tapestries in lieu of art on walls – they have such lovely texture and colours. Favourites include designs by Jean Picart le Doux and
Jean Lurçat. Also Kirsten Hecktermann’s handdip-dyed cushions. And I like the warm, flattering glow of Holophane pressed-glass lamp shades.
Finally, what about repurposing salvaged finds?
I’m not a big fan of upcycling, it feels a bit gimmicky trying to make things fit – it’s okay for a gastropub, but not at home. I like things that are fit for purpose – if something’s really well designed, find ways to make it work as it is rather than changing the use of it.
To see the latest stock at Retrouvius, visit retrouvius.com