For this week’s Salvaged issue, a favorite from the Remodelista archives:
Architectural salvage can serve as toolkits for self-expression, according to Anthony D’Argenzio of “bespoke creative and design studio” Zio & Sons. He stocks up on vintage building parts, whether drawer pulls or staircase trim, to enliven rooms for clients and himself. He buys his lighter weight inventory, like hardware and lighting parts, from online sources, and he scours estate sales and salvage yards for anything too pricey or bulky to ship. The materials, he explains, can add flavor and storytelling opportunities to any project, and they often cost less than their modern counterparts. And recycling the components keeps them out of landfills.
Among his favorite genres of materials that reward re-users:
1. Reclaimed wood
Above: “Every piece of wood in so many variations tells a story, whether it was originally part of a boardwalk or a factory or the siding on a house. Maybe it was painted 50 times, or maybe it’s been left in its original finish. And the possibilities for reusing it are endless: Turn the wood into trim, shelves, a console, put hooks on it or use it to cover one whole wall. Buy a little more than you think you need, so it can be worked into nearby spaces if you want, and give some cohesive flow.” Photograph by Martyn Thompson, courtesy of Zio & Sons; for more, see House Call: 50 Shades of Weathered White in Hudson, NY, from Zio & Sons.
2. Old sinks
Above: “They have such beautiful character and patina. If you can find them with original hardware, that’s definitely ideal, or if they do need new fittings, make sure that the holes are spaced in such a way that you can get new parts for them—otherwise you get into the expense of custom. If they come with leg supports that you decide you don’t need, those can be repurposed for something else. All the pieces don’t have to fit.” Photograph by Martyn Thompson, courtesy of Zio & Sons.
3. Hardware
Above: “Bronze, iron, copper, brass—they all weather really well. If I can’t find enough of one pattern for all the drawers and doors in one room to match, I’ll do all the drawers in one kind and the doors in another. As long as the designs are in the same realm, or maybe the metals are the same.” Photograph by Marili Forastieri, produced and styled by Zio & Sons. For more, see A 1700s Stone Farmhouse in the Hudson Valley, Discovered via Google.
4. Architectural elements and furniture
Above: “Try to think outside the box: Don’t think of the pieces as only having their original purposes, think of them as works of art instead. Maybe a wood column can be used as a focal piece in the corner of a room. Lean an old door against a wall and put hooks on it. Lean a window against a wall, so the stained glass adds texture and character to the room. Turn a handyman’s worktable into kitchen cabinets. What you choose doesn’t have to make one hundred percent sense, it’s about fun too; think about the feeling you want to convey, and not just the perfect cubic-inch fit.” Photograph by Marili Forastieri; photo styling by Zio & Sons. For more, see A Historical Hudson, NY, Home Reimagined (European Antiques Included).
5. Lighting
Above: “Vintage glass shades, schoolhouse lights—anything can be connected to new fittings and bases, anything can be rewired, to give a custom, unique look to the room.” Photograph by Marili Forastieri, produced and styled by Zio & Sons.
6. Tiles
Above: “If you can’t find enough to fill out your whole project, use vintage ones as trim, that alone can add interest.” Photograph by Martyn Thompson, courtesy of Zio & Sons.
7. Marble slabs
Above: “Marble can be turned into trim around backsplashes, thresholds, door saddles. Marble can be cut, so it’s more versatile than tile.” Photograph by Marili Forastieri; photo styling by Zio & Sons.
8. Fireplace mantelpieces
Above: “Mantles can be great for a dead wall in a large room that needs some architectural charm. You can hang plates from them, and you can fit shelves into the opening where the fireplace was.” Photograph by Martyn Thompson, courtesy of Zio & Sons.
9. The unexpected
Above: “I love using old rope. It develops this rich weathered texture over time, and it can be cut, it can be morphed into whatever you want. We just wrapped an old water pipe in rope, to give a nautical, rustic vibe.” Photograph by Martyn Thompson, courtesy of Zio & Sons.
Zio & Sons is a design and branding agency founded by Anthony D’Argenzio in 2013. They specialize in creative consulting, art direction, interior design, and styling.
What is the concept behind sourcing salvage?
Sourcing salvage is the process of finding unique and often vintage pieces to incorporate into your interior design. It adds character and history to a space while promoting sustainability by reusing and repurposing materials.
Why is it important to source salvage?
Sourcing salvage promotes sustainability by reducing waste and preserving materials that may have been discarded. It also adds unique character and history to a space through the use of vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces.
What are some tips for sourcing salvage?
Some tips for sourcing salvage include attending estate sales, flea markets, and auctions, networking with local antique dealers and artisans, searching online marketplaces, and exploring salvage yards. It’s important to have a clear vision of what you’re looking for and to keep an open mind while searching for unique pieces.
How can I incorporate salvage into my interior design?
Salvage can be incorporated into interior design through the use of vintage furniture, salvaged architectural elements, repurposed materials, and unique accessories. These elements add character and history to a space while promoting sustainability through their reuse and repurposing.
What are some of the benefits of incorporating salvage into my interior design?
Incorporating salvage into interior design adds character and history to a space, promotes sustainability by reusing and repurposing materials, and supports local artisans and antique dealers. Additionally, vintage and unique pieces often have a higher quality of craftsmanship and detail than more modern products.
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: No connected account.
Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to connect an account.
v5.0
×
Join the Remodelista Family of Websites
Become a Member at no charge
When you register as a free Member of the Remodelista family of websites (Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home), you gain access to all current posts plus 10 archived posts per month, our internal bookmarking tool, and the community bulletin board.
Access 10 archived posts (older than one year) per month on each site
Use of our internal bookmark tool, so you can save products, posts, and other pages for quick reference
Access to our community bulletin board so you can ask and answer design-related questions
Unlimited access to the Product Catalogs, Design Travel sources, and Architect & Designer Directory listings
Choose from our ten newsletters to keep up with the latest on the sites
Or Subscribe for Maximum Value!
For $5/month ($59.99 paid annually) you'll enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home and all the benefits of Membership.
Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99
×
Subscribe to the Remodelista family of websites
For $5/month ($59.99 paid annually) you'll enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home and all the benefits of Membership.
Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99
×
Sorry! As a registered member you get 10 free posts from our archive (posts more than a year old) every 30 days. You have reached your limit for this 30-day period. If you would like to access unlimited posts from the archive (ad free, too), become a subscriber today, and keep reading as many articles as you want.
Full Access Individual Subscription
Benefits include:
Unlimited access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home sites
Ad-free browsing environment
Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
Receive the full-text daily newsletters
All features that Members have access to
Annual subscribers pay just 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99
Sorry! You have reached your limit of three (3) free posts from our archive every 30 days. You can increase this to 10 posts by joining as a free Member, or read unlimited posts with no ads by becoming a paid Subscriber.
Subscribe to the Remodelista family of websites
For $5/month ($59.99 paid annually) you'll enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home and all the benefits of Membership.
Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99
Become a Member at no charge
When you register as a free Member of the Remodelista family of websites (Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home), you gain access to all current posts plus 10 archived posts per month, our internal bookmarking tool, and the community bulletin board.
Congratulations on becoming a Subscriber to Remodelista, Gardenista and The Organized Home! You now have access to many great features across the sites:
Unlimited access to all three sites
Ad-free browsing environment
Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
Receive any of the newsletters, including the the full-text daily Remodelista and Gardenista newsletters
Use of our internal bookmark tool, so you can save products, posts, and other pages for quick reference
Access to our community bulletin board so you can ask and answer design-related questions
Congratulations on joining as a free Member of Remodelista, Gardenista and The Organized Home! You now have access to many great features across the sites:
Access to all posts published in the past year
Access 10 archived posts (older than one year) per month on each site
Use of our internal bookmark tool, so you can save products, posts, and other pages for quick reference
Access to our community bulletin board so you can ask and answer design-related questions
Unlimited access to the Product Catalogs, Design Travel sources, and Architect & Designer Directory listings
Choose from our ten newsletters to keep up with the latest on the sites
If at any time you want to become a Subscriber and enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to all our content, just go to the My Account link and choose Subscribe.
Advertising funds our work at Remodelista and helps us provide you with a daily dose of design. We hope you’ll consider disabling your adblocker for Remodelista so we can continue our mission: a well-designed home for all.
Have a Question or Comment About This Post?
Join the conversation (0)