Refurbishing Hardware

Often overlooked and typical to older homes; high quality, original door and cabinet hardware in seasoned homes is frequently marked by or completely covered with layers of paint.  Many homeowners are quick to replace the hardware with new pieces, creating a clean beautiful finished look in any space.  However, when renovating/restoring an old home it is easy to assess whether or not the hardware is worth refurbishing.  Ultimately, if the existing hardware is of good quality and you have the time, a little TLC will bring the pieces back to their luster of yesteryear.  

This held true during a recent renovation/restoration of a 92 year old Pennsylvania Colonial Revival house.  Using a magnet, the homeowner determined that the homes hardware was made of solid brass.  These items were original to the home and therefore the decision to refurbish was an easy one.  With the support of the general contractor, the time was spent removing, soaking, cleaning and buffing each piece before reinstall.  Great effort was put into this process, but the beautiful restored look throughout the house, undeniably, was worth it!

Forcing Paper-Whites

Often viewed as a time honored holiday tradition, forcing Paper-white Narcissus bulbs into bloom during the winter months is a simple way to introduce the fragrant elegance of spring into your home. 

This season I wanted to incorporate some family artifacts that often go unused during holiday entertaining, but are beautiful reminders of treasured family members.  I chose to use an inherited punch bowl set as containers for forcing this years Paper-whites.  The beautiful craftsmanship of the crystal set is complimented by the simply graceful Paper-whites.

For more information on how to force Paper-white bulbs, visit http://www.marthastewart.com/268221/forcing-paper-whites.  

Green Demolitions

As touched upon in a previous post, nothing is more important than finding talented, reliable, trustworthy, and skilled collaborators.  Since its innovative inception in 2005, Green Demolitions has worked to carve out a creative niche in the recycling goods market, becoming the premier luxury recycler for kitchens, high-end renovation items, showroom displays, and new-in-box overstocks.  Because of their ability to stand out in the area of creative cost effective solutions, for the last three years, I have been referring clients to their Fairfield, NJ showroom.

I take tremendous pride in the deepening partnership I've built with Green Demolitions, including the opportunity to collaborate in the renovation of their client showroom.

Looking to capitalize on the variety of items available, repurposing the Kohler Sink Showroom Displays into Client Kiosk Stations, as well as repurposing the Library Cabinet into a Coffee/Beverage Bar, produced about a certain sense of accomplishment.  Additionally, with the removal of the dated carpet being a necessity, the exposed, professionally polished concrete floor provided a fitting showroom foundation.  In the end, the entire picture encapsulates so much that is amazing about this business.  

Refurbished Bed Sets

Featured are two bed sets incorporated into room designs for children.  The bed sets were pieces handed down from relatives, of quality solid wood construction and in good condition.  Each added an element of mix 'n' match to their respective rooms.

This set was stripped using nontoxic soy gel stripper then resurfaced with nontoxic and eco-friendly pigmented milk paint.

This set was stripped then resurfaced using a multi-colored paint technique to create this unique finish.

Both were dressed in vintage fabric finds that correlate with the larger room designs.

Repurposing

Inherent in the name, The Repurposed Home incorporates repurposing as part of the design process.  Repurposing, the idea of adapting an object or material to be used in a different capacity or way, is not new to the world of interior design.  Its stronghold is ever more present due to waste reduction awareness, but primarily because it is cost effective.

I like to help my clients reevaluate what they have; looking at the potential in all of their pieces and personal belongings as opportunities for repurposing.  Most clients are more than happy to customize their space with items used in different and unique ways.  Viewing it more as a process of constructing historical art; art and accessories that reflect and are relevant to their life's journey.  This element of creativity is another added value to the simple, practical idea of repurposing.

The Album Occasional Table featured highlights the idea of repurposing or upcycling as a way to create a distinctive invaluable product from items set for collecting dust.  This functionally modern accent table was designed for a client whose LP collection was personally valuable but not in use.  Using the collection as a starting point, a beautiful showcase was created.