San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
The scavenger hunt approach to home design
How architectural salvage pieces can add panache and charm to your home
‘They don’t make ’em like they used to,” it has often been said. That’s a big reason why antiques and heirlooms are so admired and prized. And it also explains why architectural salvage remains a hot trend among homeowners seeking to marry vintage quality craftsmanship and lasting materials with modern interiors meant to accommodate a contemporar y lifestyle.
“Architectural salvage involves rescuing elements from older buildings and giving them new life by reclaiming and repurposing them in a new environment,” said Jim Armstrong, a Philadelphia-based Realtor. “Salvaged pieces are a smart way to give a space an exclusive character while preser ving its unique stor y and histor y.”
From timeworn tin ceilings and historic chandeliers to vintage pulls, ornate banisters and porcelain bathtubs, the possibilities for upcycling old architectural items and adapting them to a new milieu are endless.
“Today, for example, urban dwellers like to snatch up things like bootmaker car ts that they conver t into wine racks and terracotta gargoyles sourced from the perch of a Park Avenue building that are now used in gardens,” said Jim Digiacoma, sales manager of Olde Good Things, an architectural salvage company with retail shops in New York City, Los Angeles and Scranton, Pa.
Finding architectural items worth repurposing requires careful treasure hunting at places like a local flea market, antiques store, estate sale or salvage shop. Online resources, such as Freecycle.org and apps such as Of ferup, may lead to one-of-a-kind finds, too.
“Whether you go by yourself or with a designer or architect, your visit can often turn up the most interesting and memorable things that can make your home truly personalized and inviting,” Digiacoma said.
Ideally, salvage-wor thy pieces should have historical value, architectural interest or vintage charm and be reusable in a home that other wise lacks these elements, according to Stephanie Purcell, an interior designer and
owner of Redesigned Classics in Los Angeles.
“The benefits of adopting this style of design is that you’re getting a completely original space with one-of-a-kind pieces that are rarely replicated in commercial stores,” Purcell said. “If you want a truly distinctive look, this is the way to go.”
Not only can repurposing these venerable elements add value to your home and impress visitors, but it can also often cost less to acquire and upcycle these old items than to buy new comparables.
“Plus, the quality of many of these materials far exceeds what you’d find today. For instance, the hardware for pedestal sinks and stone slabs salvaged from old fireplaces are always finer in quality,” said Kim Depole, interior designer for Depole Design LLC in New York City. “For one of my clients, I designed a desk made from salvaged Chinese jade stone that she adores. I’ve also utilized antique doors or shutters as headboards and as a way to display a collection of sepia photographs.”
Digiacoma, meanwhile, has conver ted a vintage door into a handsome dining table top, created a room separator from industrial chicken wire glass and suspended industrial hyalophane-glass lighting above a kitchen counter.
“You can even hang flea market finds as ar twork — ever ything from an old plaster frieze to vintage tin ceiling panels, alone or as part of a grouping,” said Digiacoma.
Armstrong recommends mixing architectural salvage pieces with whites, neutrals, natural wood tones and metal.
“When you use dark tones on dark tones, you tend to lose sight of the individual character of each element,” said Armstrong.
But not ever y salvaged find is appropriate for your home.
“You need to take into account the size and style of the pieces you want to add,” Purcell said. “First, will they fit? And does the style blend with your existing ambiance?”
Also, incorporating larger artifacts into a modern home demands careful extraction, transpor tation and placement.
“Unlike demolition, architectural deconstruction requires finesses instead of sheer force,” said Digiacoma. “Reusable items like tin ceilings, large mirrors and intricate cabinetr y can lose their value if they are damaged during the salvage process.”