November Newsletter
The fireworks are over and it feels like winter's on the way and thoughts turn to snuggling by a log fire with a plate of comfort food. With a cosy home in mind this month's newsletter concentrates on 'heirloom culture' and using what we already have in new and creative ways.
Perhaps the greenest use of furniture and interiors is to use antiques and salvaged or re-purposed objects wherever possible and a highlight of the past month was a visit to Drummonds in Hindhead, a huge architectural reclamation and salvage yard and well known supplier of beautiful antique style baths. So in stark contrast to last month’s newsletter, where I reported on all things new, let's look at designers and companies who lead the way in re-cycling and re-purposing.
http://www.drummonds-arch.co.uk/
Drummonds is a total treasure trove of reclaimed architectural gems with pieces ranging in size from staircases to door knobs. Around every corner of their 70,000 square feet warehouse there’s another exciting discovery to be made. So what, among the thousands of pieces, caught my eye?
These dramatic windows frames, both wooden and stone.
And here are just a few of the hundreds of doors
And how dramatic are these staircases?
And there's a great selection of iron gates and railings
So in support of re-cycling and re-purposing check out these websites that celebrate our "Heirloom Culture".
Salvo
Salvo is a great umbrella site that lists reclamation and salvage yards from all over the country. It's a great place to start your search if you're restoring, renovating or refurbishing a period or listed building. The site also gives details of the annual Salvo fair which is a great hunting ground when you're looking for something original.
Antiques By Design
www.antiquesbydesign.co.uk
Antiques by Design is a favourite of mine for its inspired use of antiques. Take a look at this range of lamps with bases made from old sporting equipment and household implements.
Greenhaus
Another company doing great things in re-purposing old furniture and equipment is Greenhaus.
How ingenious is this bath-sofa?
And how about this shopping trolley chair and table made from the drum of an old washing machine?
Stuart Haygarth
Stuart Haygarth is a lighting designer with a unique take on re-purposing found objects. I urge you to visit www.stuarthaygarth.com to see his fantastic work and to whet your appetite here is his Tide Chandelier made using plastic collected from the Kent coast. I also love his Spectacle Chandelier made from, yes you guessed it, old spectacles and sunglasses and the beautiful Optical Chandelier is made from old prescription lenses.
The French House
www.thefrenchhouse.co.uk
With showrooms in London and York the French House imports french antiques of all shapes and sizes and mostly in their 'natural state'. The stock is constantly changing and they'll upholster any piece of furniture in fabric of your choice. Join their mailing list to keep up to date with what's new on the showfloor.
These chairs would look superb upholstered in a fun and funky fabric and for inspiration on what you can do with chairs like these visit www.JimmieMartin.co.uk
Jimmie Martin
Claiming to offer the baroque and roll of furniture, Jimmie Martin use traditionally shaped frames but bring them bang up to date with weird and wonderful upholstery.
Callooh Callay
The trend for re-purposing isn't restricted to the home and leading the way in commercial decor must be the bathrooms of the Shoreditch bar Callooh Callay. Designed by the hot design duo Dtwo Design they've lined the walls with old cassettes bought from ebay and it’s a decorative idea that’s been copied a few times since Callooh Callay’s opening.
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