Whether you’re doing a gut renovation or a new build, having a modern or contemporary design strategy doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate salvaged materials or architectural elements. Trends aside, the utilization of salvaged elements has many positives, from being a sustainable use of resources, to getting a custom look for less money. Applications of old elements with new construction are by nature unique to each project, and will have your friends awed by your creativity!
In our recently completed mixed-use preservation project, we had our contractors build a simple wood box and install salvaged window casements to create a custom upper cabinet. Leaving the sashes in their raw wood state, effortlessly adds texture to the otherwise traditional contemporary kitchens we designed.
Salvaged casement window sashes found at Ricca’s Architectural Sales
Installation at our recently completed project, Lizardi Town Homes.
In another recently completed residential project, the owners found salvaged fireplace mantles to incorporate into the new family room, as well as in the kids’ bedrooms. This technique adds a visual anchor or focal point to the room, a place for the eye to rest. Working fireplace or not, the painted wood fireplace creates a soft relief on an otherwise hard element like a brick chimney or wall, as demonstrated below.
Salvaged fireplace mantle installed on a sheetrock wall with summer screen adding texture to the blank wall.
Salvaged fireplace mantle installed on a non-working, historic brick chimney.
Starting construction this month on Camp Street, our residential camelback project is salvaging several of the wood window sashes for reinstall. Our contractor on this project is very familiar with historic wood windows, so I’m happy to see this unique feature kept as a part of the project.
Rear yard view: we are removing this historic wood window sash at our camelback project on Camp Street.
The new camelback design featuring the historic wood window sash in the rear of the home.
Here are a few places to begin your search for historic or handmade architectural elements to incorporate in your upcoming project, big or small:
