Monthly Archives: December 2009

Salvaged from Sundance

12.10.2009

OK, so Sundance is not really a “big box” store. Actually, it’s not even a brick and mortar store. But it does have an awesome collection of items for sale which are either salvaged, reclaimed or recycled.

Barnwood Bench (reclaimed fences)
Seltzer Bottle Pendant Lamps (vintage 1930′s seltzer bottles)
Colossal Vintage Slate Blackboard (turn-of-the-20th century chalkboards)
Richardson Reeves Nightstand (reclaimed pine planking)
Colossal License Plate Map (vintage license plates)

The license plate map is a pretty amazing, one-of-a-kind creation by Aaron Foster. Sadly, $25,000 is not in my budget. Here’s a slightly more affordable, and just as interesting option.

 

 

 

License Plate Wall Art (vintage license plates)

 

I had fun putting these round-ups together this week. Hopefully, selling reclaim products in larger chain stores isn’t just a trend and I’ll be able to do these often!

Salvaged from Urban Outfitters

The recycled products available from Urban Outfitters have a uniqueness to them. Though they may be more unconventional and unusual, I think these make for awesome accents. I do love a little kitsch. These are my picks of the Urban Outfitters products made from recycled materials:

Recycled Felt Rug

 

Recycled Keyboard Frame

 

Recycled Metal Letter Hook

 

Recycled Tire Tub Mat

 

Recycled Ruler Mirror

 

Recycled ruler mirror is no longer available, but too cool not to include!

 

 

 

Recycled Album Coasters

 

"Tossed and Found" by Wary Meyers

 

This book is written by, like, the gods of salvaging and reusing materials in home design, Linda and John Meyers of  Wary Meyers. It is a collection of DIY projects to put everyday and found items to use. On my Christmas wishlist, for sure! 

Jason and Megan’s Fort Greene Apartment

When I first mentioned Salvaged Grace to my friend Shayna, she immediately suggested I photograph Jason and Megan’s apartment in Fort Greene. She raved about the beautiful pieces Jason had created using salvaged materials and found items off the street. On a perfect fall day I made my way to their amazing apartment and it did not disappoint. 

The window without glass hanging above the stunning fireplace in the bedroom (one of two in the apartment) provides an architectural focal point. 

This old card catalog was found on the street and given a new base. 

I think repurposing the water cooler as a planter is a simple, yet very smart solution.

Old letterpress trays hung on the wall display small pieces and retro action figures. I love that this  provides a way to showcase small items that may not otherwise have had a home.

This piece was from an old toy shop that was painted all kinds of crazy colors. Jason toned it down to a calming green palette. 

Jason turned the old wagon into a three dimensional landscape. So unexpected and beautiful. 

To this old letterpress tray, Jason added legs and glass over it to make it into a table. Also, leaves, nuts, berries, and the like were put in groupings within the tray. I thought this was an especially lovely way to use found objects, and is an inexpensive solution. Filling the letterpress trays is certainly a good exercise in creativity, isn’t it?

I’m sure you’ve noticed all the greenery? With my proverbial black thumb, I’m always hesitant to invite living plants into my home, but I was struck by the soothing quality the plant life added to the apartment. Definitely something to consider; I love the diversity of both the plant selections and in how they are displayed. 

I hope these pictures do Jason and Megan’s apartment justice. What I found so compelling was that it was decorated with such thoughtfulness and restraint. There’s a lot of tiny details that are unique and beautiful in their own right, but the sum of all the pieces really creates this quiet, relaxing balance to the space. I’m so grateful to be able to share this with you! 

Thanks Jason and Megan! 

PS. Do you have a space filled with salvaged, repurposed, and found items? Send your pictures to salvagedgrace@gmail.com or tag them on Flickr and let me know how to find them. I’d love to post more inspirational home tours! 

Woodland Winter

12.09.2009

I love going home to NC for Christmas. My parent’s house is always over-the-top (but tastefully!) decorated and it smells of mulled apple cider & gingerbread… Mmmm, can’t wait! Even though I celebrate the holidays elsewhere, I always decorate my apartment for the month of December!

In fact, there is currently a very large, fresh pine wreath hanging over my bed. If you know anything about pine trees, you know that they shed (for lack of a better word) pretty frequently. Thus, I now sleep in a bed of pine needles. 

As an alternative for the future, I might consider one of the beautiful seasonal wreaths or holiday decor from NHWoodsCreations. All made from natural forest finds, they look slightly less hazardous than my own Brooklyn street tree vendor forest find. I especially like the kissing ball.  

Pine Cone and Spice Kissing Ball

 

Large Birch Bark Snowman

 

Dried Flower Wreath with Christmas Quail

Salvaged from Anthropologie

Well, it’s not news that Anthropologie is a leader at replicating the vintage aesthetic. And I was not surprised to find a plethora of reclaimed, recycled, and salvaged products to choose from. Indeed, the hard part was narrowing down to my favorites!

Another Man's Treasure Lamp (vintage machinery)

 

Illusorio Cabinet (reclaimed pine)

 

One-of-a-kind Berr Armchair (vintage kilim fabric)

One-of-a-Kind Berr Armchair (vintage kilim fabric)

 

Eat Drink and Be Merry Chandelier (vintage silverware)

 

Deciduous Puzzle (recycled paper)

 

Captured Silverware Champagne Class (vintage spoon)

 

Gladiator Bird (antique decoys)

 

Walrus Hand Puppet (reclaimed & repurposed wool)

Salvaged from Restoration Hardware

12.08.2009

Welcome to day 2 of my big box salvage round-ups. The standouts at Restoration Hardware are their beautiful, regal tables made from reclaimed wood. Here are my favorites from Restoration Hardware made using salvaged or recycled materials:

Salvaged Wood Server (recycled pine)

 

Levico Mirror (reclaimed oak)

 

Salvaged Wood & Steel Shelving (100 yr old reclaimed planks)

 

Wine Barrel Chandelier (reclaimed French oak wine barrel staves & hoops)

 

Balustrade Salvaged Wood Console Table (reclaimed pine)

Salvaged from CB2

12.07.2009

I was pleasantly surprised to see the words “Reclaim Modern” on the cover of a recent CB2 catalog. Once I began looking around, I found that many of my favorite “big box” home design stores are selling products made using salvaged or recycled materials. Each day this week I’ll post a round-up of my favorite reclaimed products being sold at big box stores.

Here are my favorites from the CB2 catalog:

Edition Wall Art (recycled newspapers)

 

Print Block Panel (reclaimed and recycled wood chips)

 

Axel Two Tone Stool (recycled leather)

 

Conserve Runner (recycled milk pouches)

 

Darjeeling Table (recycled Indian rail ties)

The drum in the dumpster

This red drum holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. For one, red is the color of love and I just happened to spot this drum on one romantic evening with my boyfriend.  I believe it was a chilly, drizzly, autumn night and we were making our way back home from a great jazz show on the Lower East Side.  Now, I’m not a frequent dumpster diver, but an avid explorer for sure and as we turned the corner this night, I caught a glimpse of something red and shiny just peeking out of the top of the piles of trash. The tiny water droplets from the sky were encouraging it’s own beat on the drum. It was an ever so slight, thud, thud, thud atop the drum. My curiosity took hold of me and I grabbed the side of the dumpster and hoisted myself up. It was all wet and smelly in there, but I didn’t care.  “What a great red drum!” I said. “I can’t let this go to waste. It’s too….pretty!”  In an absolute act of chivalry my boyfriend jumped in and grabbed the drum for me and proceeded to lug it up to my 5th floor walk up apartment. (I’m convinced he was trying to impress me. It worked.) We noticed a few of the legs were broken on the drum and assumed some up and coming musician had simply taped them back on for the time being. What perseverance!

The drum sat, slightly wobbly in my living room for a few months, and like my current relationship, I soon realized something had to change.  Neither a drum nor a relationship can stand on shaky legs.  Once I removed the legs completely and let the base of the drum stand firmly on its own, it proved to be a very reliable side table in my living room.  It’s a nice resting spot for a myriad of magazines, a candle, and the basis for a good conversation starter.  I have remained friends with my ex-boyfriend and he, like my shiny red drum, will always remind me of my sentimental salvage.

Contributed by Lauren Heath.

A Sentimental Salvage is the story behind that truly special, one-of-a-kind piece in your home. It may be furniture that’s been in your family for years or an accessory you delighted in finding yesterday. However long it’s been in your life, this piece of your home holds special meaning and sentimental value. Email salvagedgrace@gmail.com if you’ve got a Sentimental Salvage of your own to share.

Jingle all the way

 

 

Image via RogerCarr's Flickr

 

Hello again! How was your weekend? Mine was chock full: karaoke, sparring, holiday shopping, a potluck and a Jingle Bell 5K Run… Somehow, I also managed to find time to decorate my apartment for Christmas – now I’m really in the holiday spirit! 

Every day this week, I’ll be posting a round-up of items found at “big box” home decor retailers – I love how even the big chain stores are jumping on the reclaim bandwagon! You’ll also see the very first Salvaged Grace home tour, one of my “Adventures in Repurposing” and more. We’ll kick off the week with a new Sentimental Salvage as well.

Hope your week is off to a fantastic start!  xx Erin

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