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Book Tour: Salvage Secrets
Joanne Palmisano Shares Practical Tips for Giving Old Finds New Life
Designer Joanne Palmisano has a fervent passion for salvaged goods and materials. Through her design work and writing, she's taught clients and readers how to create a custom look by giving salvaged pieces new life in their homes.
Palmisano's latest book, Salvage Secrets, gives practical tips on how to save money, be more eco-friendly, and create a truly personal home by repurposing everything from discarded brick to old windows. And although the book won't officially be in wide release until September 2011, it's currently available on the publisher's website. For now, here are some of my favorite tidbits, accompanied by beautiful design photos by Susan Teare.
Palmisano's latest book, Salvage Secrets, gives practical tips on how to save money, be more eco-friendly, and create a truly personal home by repurposing everything from discarded brick to old windows. And although the book won't officially be in wide release until September 2011, it's currently available on the publisher's website. For now, here are some of my favorite tidbits, accompanied by beautiful design photos by Susan Teare.
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Palmisano starts by explaining several sustainable and eco-friendly design terms many of us use interchangeably.
Salvaged is "the general, overarching term referring to all materials that are reused, reclaimed, or repurposed from another home or building," she says. Recycled refers to "items that are made from salvaged materials whose basic structure has been changed."
The bedroom doors on the cover of the book were salvaged from a country store.
Salvaged is "the general, overarching term referring to all materials that are reused, reclaimed, or repurposed from another home or building," she says. Recycled refers to "items that are made from salvaged materials whose basic structure has been changed."
The bedroom doors on the cover of the book were salvaged from a country store.
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Palmisano scours just about every resource available for salvaged materials, but she's found that warehouse sales are a great place to discover unique finds in a specific genre or style. Metal lockers and vintage stools (both found at warehouse sales) pop in this bold entryway.
"Many colleges and hotels have their own warehouses that sell materials and pieces they have removed from their dormitories, labs, classrooms, and guest rooms," she writes. "This counter is a piece of salvaged soapstone and the red slats are retail wall board for hooks, salvaged from a retail shop."
"Many colleges and hotels have their own warehouses that sell materials and pieces they have removed from their dormitories, labs, classrooms, and guest rooms," she writes. "This counter is a piece of salvaged soapstone and the red slats are retail wall board for hooks, salvaged from a retail shop."
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| The kitchen island in Palmisano's own home is one of her favorite spots in her house. The top of the island was made from salvaged Douglas fir railroad trusses, found in a 19th-century building torn down in a neighboring town. Believe it or not, the soapstone sink, backsplash, refrigerator, and clock were also salvaged — an effort that saved money but still has a clean, high-end appearance. |
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Repurposed natural materials — such as stone and wood — often lend a warm and worn feel that can't be achieved with new materials. The fireplace of this coastal home reflects the famous Haystack rock, which can be seen from a window in the same living room. The boulders are a combination of some found on the home's property, and some from friends of the owners who had just finished a landscaping project.
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| Common, everyday items can be salvaged for a creative and slightly surprising look. "These bottles were found during the deconstruction phase of an old, condemned building on the property," Palmisano writes. "The homeowner cut the bottoms off the bottles, threaded the wiring through the necks, and suspended them from an old window shutter." |
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| This artistic kitchen is an example of the how salvaged materials can create a look that is both affordable and unique.
"The high concrete countertop was repurposed in its full length from [the owner's] old studio, which was being transformed into loft apartments," Palmisano writes. "The baker's table is from a bakery that went out of business and was selling its equipment — a fine example of using an interesting, functional piece that is much more affordable than built-in cabinetry. The round structural pole was salvaged from the bottom of a nearby river." |
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| Vintage and salvaged brick help give this living room a welcoming vibe.
"The brick was found by the builder of the home in an upstate New York salvage yard. Because not all brick is created equal — having very different looks, textures, and even structural qualities — the builder had the brick fire tested before using it for the inside firebox areas as well as the external masonry," she writes. |
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This fabulous triple faucet sink was salvaged from an old factory building. All of the fixtures still work perfectly. Set into the stainless steel counter and recycled wood cabinets, it has a wonderful industrial feel that looks great in this small kitchen.
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A refinished barn door becomes a smart way to separate the kitchen from the pantry. Instead of placing it on standard hinges, using a sliding mechanism gives it even more of a special touch.
Sources: Salvage yards, warehouse sales, vintage and antique shops are all great places to start. Palmisano suggests looking at the directory of Architectural Salvage Stores at Old House Journal, and the directory of Recycled Building Materials at Eco Business Links.
More ideas:
Book Tour: The Happy Home Project
7 Favorite Vintage Furniture Sites
Sources: Salvage yards, warehouse sales, vintage and antique shops are all great places to start. Palmisano suggests looking at the directory of Architectural Salvage Stores at Old House Journal, and the directory of Recycled Building Materials at Eco Business Links.
More ideas:
Book Tour: The Happy Home Project
7 Favorite Vintage Furniture Sites
Ideabook updated on Aug. 10, 2011.
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I love the idea of repurposed materials for all the obvious reasons, however (and maybe I'm just slow to catch onto the latest trends) I find it difficult to appreciate the aesthetic appeal of old, worn-out furnishings and materials. If I am unable to give a reused item a fresh, updated appearance it's pretty much getting donated. Although, I am happy to see all the eco-friendliness currently abounding throughout the world.
xo
Melis
Thanks for an excellent article (and a book I need to buy)!
-Jason