For our first Salvage Challenge, I present to you the salvage:

Cammie and Adam’s discarded red chair.

You know what I like about this chair? I love the details on the back and the bottom of the chair. And strangely enough, I like that the red paint is fading and chipping.  But then, I’m partial to pieces that look like they’ve lived a little.

Now, obviously, a lot can be done with this chair. It could be painted any color and any type of seat could be added, in any number of fabric options.

But my vote is to go one of two routes:

Keep the paint as is and create a seat which will compliment the rustic vibe.

Source unknown

What about a cane seat like this one?

And I’d cover the seat pad in this purplish gray fabric by Alexander Henry fabric called “No Guts No Glory”. I love the tough feel, in contrast to the cane seat.

via Belle Pepper Fabrics

Or to repaint the chair a bright red and contrast with a bright blue/light fabric.

I was inspired by the apple red and light blue in these pics.

via Design*Sponge

via House Beautiful

I love this fabric, which also incorporates a beautiful gold.

Source Unknown

Or either of these prints would create a crisp pop against a shiny apple red paint coat.

John Robshaw Petra Cobalt Fabric

Aviary Toile via LS Fabrics

What do you think, any ideas?

via Dunton Hot Springs

A few years back, when I was hard core boxing training, it was quite normal for me to take 7am runs through Lower Manhattan, Soho and the West Village before starting my boxing workout for the day. (Read: This would be the opposite of normal now.) On one particular occasion, I ran past a piece of salvage that stopped me in my tracks.  

In fact, I circled back. 

Discarded on the side of the street was a metal spiral staircase. It wasn’t huge. In fact, I could envision it fitting snugly in a corner of my living room. It would lead to nowhere (how ironic) but hold books and knick knacks. Maybe I’d use it as additional serving space during parties… 

Oh the possibilities.

I walked around that staircase, trying to determine if it would be even possible to get that thing in a cab, much less up three flights to my apartment. Furthermore, would I have enough time to take the staircase home and get to work by 9:30? 

As you can tell, I spent FAR too long actually considering this crazy feat. And to this day, I wish getting that gorgeous bit of spiral metal home had been one problem I’d have solved. 

I continue to lament about all the items on the street that I CAN’T take home: because my home is already filled with stuff… because I have a long list of “to do’s” and need to knock those out first… because I’m wearing a dress and heels at the moment… 

So instead, I’ve taken to snapping photos of things I see on the street. And in a new series of posts, I thought we’d discuss the stuff I find. I’ll present my thoughts on how I’d rescue or salvage it, and I’d love to hear your ideas as well. Maybe I can even get some designer friends to throw in their two cents. 

Check back tomorrow for the first Salvage Challenge!