Whether it’s reclaimed, repurposed, recycled, vintage, or antique, I’m seriously, over the moon, excited about it. I hope that through my website, blog and books, I’ll change the way you think old stuff. One-of-a-kind, DIYs, found or recycled items stand-out and give personality and charm to any space. Here are some ways that will guide you on your journey to create, locate and decorate a stylish look that combines distinctive objects and materials with today’s comforts. I hope you create your own unique approach to blending the old with the new and creating striking spaces that tell a story. xoxo Joanne
ADD A VINTAGE PIECE
Instantly bring character and charm to any space by simply adding a vintage piece — whether it be furniture or something you turn into a fixture.
Finding a dining table and chairs from your local antique shop is not only fun but it is a great way to add some juxposition to a modern home. Interior Design: Joanne Palmisano After Picture: Susan Teare
The counter cabinet, found at an architectural salvage shop was once brown. Painted white it fits in beautiful in this modern industrial style kitchen renovation. Design: Joanne Palmisano After Picture: Susan Teare
The double-drainboard and double bowl vintage cast iron is perfectly suited for this old world charm kitchen. Design: Joanne Palmisano After Picture: Lindsay Selin
A vintage dresser stained black, gives this bathroom tons of character and warmth. Design: Joanne Palmisano After Pic: Lindsay Selin
An old industrial cart found at an antique shop turned into a instant kitchen island. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo Lindsay Selin. Old carts also make great instant bars.
2. WORK WITH NEW PRODUCTS MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIAL.
New product made from old materials. There are many tiles, metals and other products that are made with a fair amount of recycled material in them. They are easy to find and use.
Fireclay is a company that uses recycled materials to create their new tiles. This tile is from their Debris Series, with over 80% recycled content, including old sinks and toilets. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo by: Susan Teare
Interface and FLOR have amazing carpet tile lines that are made with recycled materials. These pieces have over 75% recycled material in them. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo by: Lindsay Selin
Even fabric on cubicles can be made from recycled material. More carpeting with a high recycled content is placed in this office as well.
3. Create Affordable Custom Pieces
Make it with reclaimed material and have the piece be uniquely yours in size, shape and color.
A custom entranceway bathroom vanity made from 200 year old wood gives a dramatic flair to the ultra modern marble sink. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo: Susan Teare
Custom countertop made from old schoolhouse slate chalkboards and a reclaimed wood wrapped stove vent hood are just two of the many reclaimed and custom made pieces in this farmhouse style kitchen. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo: Susan Teare
Open closet made from left-over paneling from another build project (which we painted green) and left over pieces from the reclaimed live edge headboards that serves as a bench, show how simple it is to find and use reclaimed wood. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo: Lindsay Selin
Old cabinet doors, no longer needed in a closet turned bathroom, but are perfect to make an instant headboard. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo: Lindsay Selin
Get the stone counter look without the stone counter price. Left-over stone tiles or pieces (2 x 2) are perfect to use to create your own look. You can look from them at your local tile shop, rebuild center or stone yard. Scrap pieces of stone can be cut to size (just make sure they are the same thickness).
4. Add Depth and Texture to Your Walls
Whether it is an accent wall, or adding character to a simple structure with very little character, you can add some features that will really change the look of your space.
It is as simple is grabbing some dimensional lumber from your local Rebuild Center, painting them black and creating a stunning custom bookcase wall. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo: Susan Teare
In this townhouse project, we added salvaged wood — given a white wash — to the walls to give them texture which really add an exceptionally amount of depth without a lot of cost. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo: Susan Teare
Finding a handful of left-over tiles on a local marketplace website, such as Craigslist or Front Porch Forum, was easy. Keeping the vanity, painting it, and adding a backwall of tile gives this bathroom a ton of character.
Rustic, modern, country, farmhouse, chic… a wood wall can be any style you want, depending on how you finish it — leave it natural, white wash, or paint solid. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo: Susan Teare
Mix and Match, recycle, reclaimed and reused! :) Have Fun! Joanne
Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo: Susan Teare