If you’ve been following my blog for several months now, you know that decorating my home with salvaged materials is something I LOVE to do, but if you’re new to the blog, you may not realize how much that is true. So, let me take a moment to list my 6 favorite salvage style projects in our home.
#1. We built our king-sized bed using reclaimed porch posts. We spotted the 4 reclaimed porch posts at an antique store we love (and visit as often as we can) and snatched them up. (Four matching porch posts with corbels is a rarity, for sure.) Our bed is truly one of a kind, and I love that. The headboard is an old door turned on its side, and the footboard is a reclaimed sidelight, the glass removed and replaced with scraps of reclaimed ceiling tin (that I had kept from our office ceiling project). I couldn’t bear to throw them away!
#2. Also in our master bedroom is a reclaimed wood wall — I call it my mosaic wood wall — because it’s made with an assortment (both in paint color and lengths) of old floor boards that we salvaged from a project in Crockett, TX. To me, it’s a work of art.
#3. Oh how I love my jewelry tree that Mark made for me using an old porch post, some old door knobs, and a few pieces of scrap lumber for the stand! Putting on my necklaces now feels more like a fun event rather than just rummaging through a regular jewelry box.
#4. We finally, finally found the perfect kitchen backsplash (after 3 attempts, if you can believe it). It’s made with old roof tins. It fits our reclaimed style perfectly, adds another industrial touch to our vintage kitchen, and it’s easy to clean!
#5. Our laundry room project was my husband’s brainchild — I was just not feeling the love for that room! He saved the day by deciding he wanted the laundry room to look like an old back porch that was enclosed long ago, and I think we successfully made it so. My favorite feature of that room is the reclaimed siding and wood we used to clad the walls and enclose the washer and dryer . . . although my laundry sorting cabinet wold be a close second! I had one in my laundry room in Austin, and it was a design MUST for our home in East Texas.)
#6. I love our mudroom that we built onto our house — except for the treated lumber that we used for the floor joists, we used 100% salvaged materials.
Which brings me to my giveaway.
Joanne Palmisano specializes in finding new ways to use salvaged and reclaimed materials. I love everything that this talented lady does, both on her blog and in her two published books
From kitchens to outdoor spaces, this book is chock-full and I do mean full of ideas, tips, real-life stories, resources, and tutorials on how to use salvaged and reclaimed materials. Also, I am a very visual person, so I love books that have tons of photographs. This book does not disappoint in that department: just about every page has at least one high-quality photograph of a design project.
I loved so many of these projects that I decided I’m going to read this book cover to cover (something I rarely do with a design book.)
Let me show you photos of 5 projects** I admired (and I think you’ll like, too!) within the pages of this awesome book:
incredibly clever styling stations in a NYC salon
add some pizzazz to a ceiling: use reclaimed cabinet doors!
beautiful sturdy shelving made with reclaimed wood
a stunningly beautiful accent wall made with reclaimed 2×4’s!
a great way to repurpose an old dresser and add vintage charm to a bathroom!
Now (drum roll)…….. the giveaway! I’m giving away one copy of Joanne’s fabulous book to one lucky winner. To enter, simply comment below and let me know how you’ve used (or would like to use) reclaimed materials in your own home or business. See the giveaway rules below for more details.
Also, let me say this: if it turns out you’re not a winner, might I remind you that Christmas is coming soon?
[UPDATE AS OF 10/26/15: THE WINNER IS LAURA JEAN MASSEY!]
*This is an affiliate link
**All rights reserved. Photography used by permission of W.W. Norton, Joanne Palmisano, Salvage Secrets Design & Décor, Photography by Susan Teare. This giveaway is sponsored by Joanne Palmisano; however, my opinions are completely my own.
Giveaway Rules:
- This giveaway is open to US residents only and anyone who subscribes to or visits my blog and follows the rules above.
- This giveaway will begin when this blog post is published and will end at 1:00 p.m. CST on Monday, October 26, 2015.
- Each person may enter one time only.
- The winner will be chosen randomly and announced via Facebook and this blog post will be updated with the winner’s name.
- The winner will be notified via email shortly after the giveaway ends and has 3 calendar days after the date of the notification to provide their name, address, and phone number to Living Vintage. (The phone number is needed for shipping purposes only.) If the winner does not respond within that time frame, that person will be disqualified and another winner will be chosen. The process will continue until Living Vintage receives the requested information.
Wow Kim, Your home is stunning! I love using reclaimed materials. Unfortunately in our area, materials are nonexistent! I so wish there were. This book looks amazing. Full of ideas, that appear to be easily used and incorporated into anyone’s home. Live your backsplash and bath vanity!
Good luck to everyone and have a blessed day, Hooe
I love your blog and I would love to give that book to my sister, Susan, who loves to remake old stuff into beauty. Thank you so much!
It would be a perfect present for your sister! I’ve got your name entered in the giveaway.
I love the way your have decorated your home. I would like to use some reclaimed wood to put on my kitchen walls. We are replacing a huge window, so the walls will need a spruce up too. Thank you for the chance to win.
I love using reclaimed items. I picked up a 10 inch wide by 5 ft. molding piece that someone threw out. It was from an old farm house. I added some cute forged iron hangers that I picked up on clearance at JoAnns and it holds our coats when you walk in the door.
I just love your house! My husband and I always try to use salvaged materials on our house projects. In the past it was cheaper to do so. Now unfoutunetly it is often more expensive than new. My dream is to someday rebuild our family cabin using all reclaimed materials. I am a few years out from that but I have already started collecting materials!! My current project is my get-away garden shed. I am collecting tin ceiling tiles for the peaked ceiling. It will be a work in progress for awhile, but the search is part of the fun! Thank you for the chance to win such a fun book!
Love the blog, your extremely gifted in so many ways. Love that you work side by side with your talented husband too.
We just finished our new log home, I do decorate with reclaimed items inside and out.
Your an inspiration and I too would read ‘the book’ from cover to cover.
Luv your style and creativity. I have a porch post from my family home I will use as a jewelry organizer…
Love the backsplash idea. So many great ways to use items that would end up in trash. Great book, would love to win a copy.
This book looks so fun! I’d be thrilled to win! Currently I’ve collected a few old doors to use in a new “old” house we are building in an historic district. This book would be such a great reference tool.
I used old barn tin on the walls in my shop, Gray’s Attic. I’ve also used salvaged items on a gallery wall in my home.
Kim, I love all these great ideas. I have a mahogany headboard and footboard that have been in my family for years. I’d love to combine them somehow into a unique headboard (no room for the footboard in our small bedroom).
We have used salvaged old-growth heart-pine in our home. And reclaimed doors, with the original paint intact (or not intact, as the case may be)
Love your home – so much to look at and enjoy! And it is an inspiration for using reclaimed materials, as would be the book in your giveaway. My home too is full of 2nd hand and recycled objects, such as the old cabinet which is now built in, in my kitchen – the wooden counter top extends over it, making it an integral part of the working space.
My hubby and myself just recently remodeled our kitchen. We replaced the fluorescent light that is boxed in with aged corrugated metal that we trimmed out and inserted a vintage blown glass fixture in the center. What was the downer in the room is now the highlight of the room! Would love the book for more great ideas!
Love your creativity!
I would love to win! I bought a new barn, but I am trying to use old wood for the inside! Help, I need ideas! Thank you
Excellent blog post! I love reclaimed materials, though to process of acquiring (hoarding) and dealing with the stuff for years before figuring out how and where to use it can be a bit wearisome. Here’s one of my favorite projects on our 1880’s farm house where objects collected and hoarded with no purpose in mind finally find their perfect place in the living room and on the chimney. Hooray! If it only didn’t take 20+ years from start to finish… https://ginakeesling.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/the-epic-mess-also-known-as-fixing-the-fireplace/
Hi Kim
I am unfamiliar with Joanne and her books looks fab!!
Once again though I must say it you are an original!!! Love your work.
karen
I suppose I am all alone, but aren’t any of you folks concerned about lead exposure?
I mean flaking salvaged wood may be cool and all, but leaving flakes of lead paint everywhere in your home…..Never seemed like a good idea to me, specially if you have little ones who are know to eat strange objects…
Lead exposure is easily mitigated by painting the reclaimed wood with clear polyurethane. That way the paint won’t flake.
We have an old laundry room that is going to become part closet. I have a blank wall that is screaming for reclaimed wood!
Thanks, Kim, for showing how to repurpose, as I love finding new uses for all things old! As we are empty nesters, we recently downsized and are hoping to use some of our yard sale, estate sale and salvaged finds in our new house. I look forward to your posts and hope to be able to incorporate some of your wonderful ideas!
I am absolutely enthralled with your home! Using salvaged items throughout is totally awesome. When we built our home, we used old furniture in all of our bathrooms instead of builtins. We had our sinks installed in the pieces of furniture. We used old stained glass in transoms above study opening and dining opening. We used 2 sets of old lockers in our son’s room and an old galvanized sink on our back porch. Also, mounted an old car grill with little lights on it onto our son’s wall.
You’re a girl after my own heart, Donna! I love, love, love using vintage furniture and other vintage pieces instead of built-ins. I’m not totally against built-ins, of course — we love our entertainment center in our living room — but less is better, in my opinion.
We moved into our old farmhouse 47 1/2 years ago, and have “upcycled” it twice since then. The last time we remodeled we used posts from back porch area as the angle supports for the new wrap around front porch. I also have a large deep shelf made from an old Murphy bed that came from my grandparents-in-law’s farm in Missouri. I love to reuse and come up with new uses for old things, and the photos of your home projects just make me sigh! Looks like a lovely, fun book to spend time with, thanks for the giveaway!
I enjoyed seeing all your projects again, I think it was the mudroom that was my first introduction to your blog and have been loving it ever since. I had building friends who were remodeling an older home that had dark beaded board throughout and they called me and I was set, now what to do with all this bounty. I used it to cover the tops of dressers and chest, then trimed around with 1×6’s. Needless to say they literally flew out of my booth.
Yeah, I bet you sold it fast! Reclaimed beadboard is getting harder and harder to find. Lucky girl you are!
Kim,
Love the blog, and Friday Favorites are the highlight of my week. I have a small vintage shop and my mission has always been to repurpose things that are too wonderful to throw away, and are deserving of another life in some form. My husband is a woodworker, and his mission is to salvage the world’s cast offs. Between the two of us, we reuse a great deal. My favorite has always been the greenhouse we made with castoff windows from and old factory.
Susan
Wow! Really? So happy to hear that, Susan. I’d love to see photos of your greenhouse sometime. 🙂
I have previously largely devoured your site as I love salvage and reclaimed but can never get enough of seeing your great projects! As ineligible (Canadian) for the contest I turned that frown upside down as I see my Library has this book in their collection 🙂 With cooler weather and shorter days I can’t wait to read it! I love the cabinet door ceiling and the 2×4 accent wall and can’t wait to see her other ideas!
Thanks so much for liking what we do! Unfortunately, the blog contest is “officially” open to USA residents only because of legal concerns. Otherwise, I wouldn’t limit the entrants at all. Boo!
I LOVE your reclaimed wood walls!! We live in a vintage farmhouse and have used the original siding from the house (circa 1900) in our sun room, but they’re naturally dark due to age. Love your white! I’m enjoying your blog. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, Terry . . . and thanks for dropping by and commenting! 🙂
I sure do enjoy your blog and would love to receive the book. I’m an old time reclaimer/up-cycle junker, before it became cool. Tall old wooden shutters are my computer nook walls and I’ve used old doorknobs and face plates on my entertainment center door and the glass knobs as finials on the curtain rod, which is a 10 foot dowel!
Sue, good to hear from a devoted reclaimer and upcycler. It does my heart good to know that salvaged items are being re-used in new ways rather than thrown in a landfill!
Boy, could I use this book! Love your blog, and have a family room makeover in mind using salvaged materials. This would give me the inspiration I need.
I’ve entered you in the giveaway, Jody. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
First of all, thank you for the opportunity of winning this lovely book! Second, can I move in with you?! I have admired your home forma while now, because it’s GORGEOUS! I love each and every way you have used reclaimed materials. It keeps me thinking outside the box with every item I see on how I can repurpose in my home.
Well, we have one spare bedroom and you’re welcome to it, Susan. Ha! Glad to be a source of inspiration for you.
recently we closed in part of our open area downstairs to make a rustic den< kitchen. we used pallets ands scrapwood for the walls,old rusted tin for the ceilings, old church flooring to build a farm table and everyone who sees the space is amazed. I used curly willowsticks for curtain rods and burlap for the curtains
How fun! Sounds like you scored with finding reclaimed materials perfect for your project.
We will be moving back home to East Texas in a few months and look forward to incorporating reclaimed materials into the new house we plan to build, especially unique wood items used in an unexpected way.
How exciting! Can’t wait to hear more about your move and your future build project!
Beautiful blog! Found your blog via http://dpetrillo.blogspot.com/ I do a lot of repurposing, one of my favorites was a door from a homestead cabin that I turned into a table.
Marti
Welcome to Living Vintage, Marti!
Kim, you know I am a huge fan and cheerleader of your work, and every.single.project you all do, I fall in love with – even if it’s just the breaking down of an old structure, and how you so methodically go about it. This book looks totally awesome, and I would be thrilled to have the chance to win it. Thanks for the opportunity (and wish list suggestion if I don’t win).
RIta
Love your blog and your ideas are right up my alley. The book you’re giving away is an awesome example of salvage living at its best. Wonder photographer! Would love to own a copy.
I just found your site through Adirondack Girl! I’m here to stay! We just moved into a not-so-old house, but we would love to give it character. This book looks like a good way to start with some wonderful ideas. Thank you for the opportunity to win! rush88888 at gmail dot com
We have used reclaimed materials in many different ways. My favorites are the ones that have included pieces of our own past. Our fireplace is clad in barnwood from my husband’s grandma’s homestead in Northern Michigan. We have repurposed my great grandma’s dresser into our bathroom vanity. We don’t want to forget our ties to those we have loved and these projects remind us of them daily.
I love reclaimed anything. Hoping to down size in a few years and would love a home from Reclaimed Spaces in Austin. I use reclaimed wood for decorative items and frames. Love your website.
At one time you talked about building small cottages. Are you still planning to do that?
Mary, we would love to build little homes. I wouldn’t call it a “plan” exactly, but we would be open to talking with a potential client about it.
I have loved your mudroom since I first saw it. Seeing your other amazing rooms makes me want to do something more with my home. The first thing I’d like to do is use reclaimed wood to pretty-up my bar/peninsula between the dining room and kitchen. We live in a double wide mobile home and even though it was “top of the line” there were a lot of things that just left a lot to be desired! I’d love to panel this with old wood to give it the look I’d rather have. Would love to win this book for more ideas. Thank you for offering this giveaway to your readers!
Lovely – Amazing – I have repurposed a wood ladder into a shelf backing it with chicken wire and added shelf fronts with chicken wire as well, I receive many compliments and many want to buy it….one of a kind. My son made it for me cuz I couldn’t bare the thought of throwing away a broken ladder…this book looks awesome. Thank you.
I love, love, love your beautiful home! My husband and enjoy using reclaimed materials in our home too! We have a vintage industrial cart that was use as a kitchen island, and a huge industrial storage cart that was use in our living room as our entertainment center! Our back door is over a 100 years old, (which I love so much!) that we saved from being scrap! (can you imagine!) We are adding on to our home next year, and I think this book would be so inspirational for us, as we want to try to use as much reclaimed materials as we can! Thank you for sharing your gorgeous home with your readers! You have certainly inspired me, with or without the book! Have a grand day! : )
While looking around my home for an example of my re-use and recycling, I realized that every single room had multiple flea market, roadside and yard sale “finds”. Favorites include the antique carpenter chest that became my coffee table, an iron floor lamp base married to a magnifying mirror and a fleece-backed throw made out of a beautiful table cloth.
All 6 of your projects are awesome, but I thought your reclaimed wood wall was really stunning! It’s giving me this vibe that it makes your bedroom feel like a little lake cottage or something, which I would totally dig if it were my bedroom 🙂
Hi Kim,
I have enjoyed reading your blog for some time now. You have such good ideas. Hubby and I found an old dresser by the side of the road. The only good things left of it were the drawers and they are huge. Hubby has fashioned them under his work table and they make for great storage for all of his reclaimed bits of wood and what not. Would love to have this book. Thanks for offering.
Kitsy
My husband is always recycling wood.,Mostly picked up from the curbside to build new items. I prefer to repurpose items into new uses. My favorite is a large peanut butter crock that I turned into an end table. My husband made a lid with recycled wook and I put the crock onto an old 1940’s doctors exam room step stool. It is cute and functional and great storage too. It was a happy day when I found your blog! I absolutly love your cottage!!
Thanks so much, Sherlynn . . . and welcome! I’ve entered you in the giveaway. 🙂
Thank you so very much for the add on and the entry. I have always been a re-purposer. I believe when something has out lived it’s purpose, re-create it a new purpose or life to carry on.
I love your blog. I just found you and love what I see.
Thanks again!