Happy Valentine’s Month! I know, the day may have passed but it’s still the month to love and be loved.
Of course, we all say FOREVER a lot when telling someone special how long we’ll love them, right? Well, I feel the same way about old buildings and millwork and furnishings mostly because so much of it was built so well that it actually can be loved forever.
With all the mass produced furnishings, décor and even the mass-used phrases like “rift cut white oak”, it’s always delightful to get to work with clients who are interested in blazing a different trail by reclaiming the past (...isn’t it ironic?). It means the end result will be one-of-a-kind, just like them.
Recently, I worked on a furnishing project where the house itself was filled with reclaimed architectural elements. As it happens, it was almost 10 years ago that I was lucky enough to have designed this house as a new construction project with some amazing clients and the builder I worked for for a decade, Michael Greenberg & Associates.
The reclaimed flooring and post & beams are elements that are common in MGA’s work and details that I’ve been exposed to for so long that I've come to truly appreciate as one of my own favorite styles. I really love mixing those antique details into clean-lined modern interiors.
A Love for the past
Integrated reclaimed shutters that the client found and reclaimed brick flooring in a herringbone pattern
The original client for this house is an artist and collaborating on the project was truly a fantastic experience that brought the project to new levels. We managed to incorporate not only reclaimed architectural elements such as old shutter doors and vintage hardware, but also reclaimed natural elements like various shells and bits of driftwood the client collected that were embedded into the fireplace surround and outdoor walls and walkways. The finished house has an amazing character to it that is absolutely one-of-a-kind, but adored by the masses because of it. When the new owners called me to help furnish the space and make it their own, they were very interested in continuing the vintage character that’s in the existing detailing into the furnishings. Given my affection for the home and desire to compliment the architectural detailing, I agreed and embarked on a journey to orchestrate a symphony made up of the treasures of others’ pasts.
Some of the found pieces even look like what’s on trend but how cool that they are not bought from a website or catalog - meaning your friend won’t have the same piece. I mean, unless they found the matching twin or its’s a piece that was from a mass-produced collection that’s come and long gone - but if that happens, maybe the pieces can be friends too.
During my quest I visited many local antique centers, some smaller boutique places for furnishings and décor, a large (beautiful!) antique furniture store that is 2-hours away (but more than worth the rainy day trek), architectural salvage yards and some online dealers. Sourcing mostly in person helps because I can easily see the quality of the piece before committing to the purchase and I can be sure it will last.
(FYI, If you’re interested in knowing my sources here in Connecticut, sign up for my newsletter below and I’ll send you the list with my notes!)
Reclaimed Antique Flooring
Bedroom with Vintage Furnishings, Décor and Linens
The actual process of designing spaces with mixed vintage and modern pieces can be much different than your standard design process because you might be planning your vision around something that is already existing (after you actually find it, which can take 5 minutes or 5 weeks), as opposed to planning the existence of your vision and building to suit. It can (fittingly) be done backwards when using antiques in modern interiors. That being said, and despite taking twice the amount of time, I find it can be an incredibly inspiring experience.
Knowing that each piece has both an old past AND a new future is exciting, not to mention sustainable! Consider it a sequel or the next chapter in it’s story.
Timeless means it’s story hasn’t ended.
What I love most is incorporating old vintage elements and details that have been reclaimed into something new altogether, an architectural detail or totally new piece of furniture. While some antiques are truly heirloom and quite perfect the way they are, other things are begging to transform into something new, something that can become timeless, i.e. something to love FOREVER.
Yours Truly, Erin
If you want a copy of my antique source list, click here! Reclaimed style not your thing? Well, I work with clients with a wide variety of tastes and styles because I work with clients who are individuals looking for their homes to be true reflections of them. I would love to hear more about your project and talk to you more about how we can make it truly bespoke.
