Sometimes it's hard to see the potential in a piece of architectural salvage -- or to know how to pull pieces together. Architectural-salvage expert Annie Schedeen and store owner Robb Whittlef offer ideas on using old stuff in new ways. Using architectural salvage -- fixtures and woodwork from old houses or commercial buildings that have been torn down -- is a fresh way to recycle and provide decorating fun and surprise in your home and garden. Kitty Bartholomew of HGTV's Kitty Bartholomew: You're Home challenges homeowner Annie Schedeen to take a pile of architectural salvage and pull it all together into a cohesive whole (figure A). She meets the challenge beautifully in creating a grand garden buffet (figure B). Tall architectural pieces form an impressive centerpiece, and lighting fixtures hold bowls of food. Garden statuary offers silver to guests, and a chandelier umbrella -- originally hung from the ceiling -- is turned upside down to accommodate a bowl of ceviche. The birdbath, which now holds a beautiful arrangement of fruit, is flanked by candleholders made of stool bases, and the base of a wood column holds a plate of cheese (figure C). Joan Steffend, host of HGTV's Decorating Cents, meets with store owner Robb Whittlef for a lesson in using architectural castoffs in new ways. Robb shows how to make banister and porch spindles into candlesticks, an old paint can into a luminaria and an old fence into a room divider (figure D). To make a varied-height grouping of candlesticks, cut shapely banister spindles to different heights, and hollow out a candle hole (figure E). To make an old piece of fence into a room divider, add two wooden footings, and attach a basket of flowers. Paint-Can Luminaria Make a charming luminaria for your garden from an old paint can (figure F). Materials:
Paint can
Sandpaper
Star stencil
Stencil paint
Hammer and nail
Water
- Clean the paint can and remove the label.
- Age the can with a light sanding, or put it outside to rust a bit.
- Stencil a star pattern on the can.
- Fill the can with water, and allow it to freeze overnight. This will keep the can rigid so a pattern can be hammered on it easily.
- Use a hammer and nail to pound holes to outline the stenciled stars.
- After the ice melts, put a candle inside.
Make a grouping of different-sized paint-can luminarias with a variety of stenciled patterns.
RESOURCES :
Architectural salvage
Scavenger's Paradise
N. Hollywood, CA 91602
Phone: 323-877-7945
Fax: 818-985-5554
Robb Whittlef
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