Robert Kulp

Time to Crack a Cold Beer

The Dawgs discuss the work that goes into demolishing a house.

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Time to Crack a Cold Beer 02:45

The Dawgs discuss the work that goes into demolishing a house.

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The Homestead in Hot Springs 02:26

The Dawgs salvage materials from a carriage house in Virginia.

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The Fourth Time's a Charm? 03:07

Robert attempts to salvage slate hearths from a house in Knoxville, TN.

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Bottom Feeding in New Jersey 02:58

Mike mines for treasure in an early 1800s farmhouse basement.

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A Short Fuse in New Jersey 02:51

The Dawgs have limited time to salvage materials from a farmhouse.

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Worth the Trip to Piney River 02:34

Mike and Robert discover unexpected treasures at a Virginia apple orchard.

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Salvaging Reel Theatres 03:25

The Dawgs recover materials from a movie theater in Sevierville, TN.

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St. Mary's in Chillicothe 02:06

Robert salvages stained-glass transoms from an Ohio church rectory.

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Get to Know Robert Kulp

As a former Naval Officer, Robert is all about “attention to detail” and “running a tight ship,” a source of pain and entertainment for the rest of the Black Dog Salvage crew.

Robert's Latest Projects

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The Salvage Dawgs crew does a whole lot more than salvaging. They also create and sell one-of-a-kind, upcycled pieces with the treasures they find.

Elegant and Eclectic Upcycling

Robert Kulp (left) and Mike Whiteside started their salvaging business, Black Dog Salvage, on a whim in 1999, but they soon realized it was no mistake. Besides salvaging, they also create and sell one-of-a-kind treasures, like this door panel coffee table, in their Roanoke, Va., showroom. Here are 19 of their coolest projects as seen on Salvage Dawgs.

19. Iron Gate Table

The crew upcycled an iron gate to create this elegant coffee table.

18. Balance Beam Desk

Courtney and Lonny repurposed a balance beam to create a child's desk for a customer.

17. Custom Industrial Bookcase

Quite the showstopper, Black Dog Salvage created these bookcases from salvaged iron and horse-kicked wood from The Homestead Stables in Hot Springs, Va. The arched, blue doors were claimed from the Washington Mills factory in Mayodan, NC. Those mid-century modern-inspired chairs? They're made from reclaimed Old Navy clothing racks.

16. Claw-footed Couch

Black Dog Salvage comes across vintage tubs often, like the one that Robert and Ted Ayers removed from a 78-year-old church in Salisburg, N.C. This "Breakfast at Tiffany's" couch was upcycled from a vintage bathtub.

Retro Relaxation

Another old, forgotten tub was turned into a cool couch. Retro colors and patterns give it an eclectic, vintage vibe.

15. Three-Chair Bench

The Salvage Dawgs crew likes to sit in style. Here, they created a bench with three salvaged chairs.

14. Upcycled Dressers

Salvagers find abandoned furniture all the time. It's amazing what a sanding, new knobs, and a fresh coat of paint can do. For a nontraditional twist, try a bright, vintage huge.

13. Horse Tack Coffee Table

In the Black Dog showroom, you're likely to find just about anything. They make ordinary furniture extraordinary with cool found objects, like this coffee table with horse tacks legs.

12. Foot Locker Sink

Robert and Mike met while serving in the Navy, so this project surely had sentimental value. The crew took a USNR (United States Navy Reserve) foot locker and repurposed it into a rustic sink with storage.

11. Reclaimed Canopy Bed

With some reclaimed wood and iron, the Dawgs made this craftsman-style canopy bed designed by Mike and his daughter, Grace.

10. Window Pane Coffee Table

For another eclectic coffee table, designers created this piece with a window pane and incorporated salvaged aluminum printing plates into the sides. The visible storage would make a great shadow box.

9. Custom Tailgate Grill

The crew made this custom tailgate grill decorated with vintage license plates for a customer. The outside has a rustic, vintage Americana vibe.

Game Day Grillin'

Despite the vintage look, the inside of the tailgate grill is filled with state-of-the-art appliances and extendable countertop space.

8. Dixie Stove

The crew came across this old Dixie stove during a salvage and gave it a new life with just a simple coat of paint.

Secret Garden

The Dixie stove also makes a great planter!

7. Piano Bar

Another day on the job, the crew found this decrepit Singer piano. In the workshop, they took the old piano and customized it into a wine bar with lit cabinets.

6. Floor Lamp With Vintage Books

Found a bunch of vintage books that aren't worth collecting? Make like the Salvage Dawgs crew and turn them into a brilliant lamp for the study.

5. Shutter Cabinet

This reclaimed shutter cabinet is perfect for dressing up an awkward space with a unique and useful touch.

4. Dresser Bench

Not all old furniture is worth keeping, at least not in its current state. The Dawgs took a not-too-fancy dresser and turned it into a one-of-a-kind bench.

3. Day Bed Swing

A day bed couch lets you lounge around in style. This one was made completely from salvaged materials.

3. Truck Bed Bench

Here's a totally new way to sit on a tailgate and look at the stars!

2. Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table

This table was created using reclaimed wood and metal shelving from Washington Mills in Mayodan, N.C.

That's a Bed of a Different Color!

After salvaging The Homestead Stables, the Black Dog Salvage crew came home with some amazing, vintage horse beams. Mike decided to make them into a bedframe.