Notes from the Lake: Items to Salvage from an Old Property

Flickr Photo Credit: Merfam

Eventually, I want to be putting together some posts on what our life is like out here in nature . . . wild life sightings . . . quiet reflective time for creativity . . . wet water loving dogs trying to jump on our bed . . . you get the picture. But for now, I’ll be posting our idea list of items that can be salvaged from the old cottage to incorporate into our new home. 

For us, this is basically a reference list to refer to when the time comes for demolition. For you, it may provide some inspiration for things you can pick up at salvage yards and other similar resources to incorporate a unique style to your home without spending a ton of money.

• Our fireplace mantle and hardware. This mantle is about two inches thick and made of solid curly maple. Under it, a rustic iron hook holds an antique fire poker. We are considering a glass, steel and concrete type of modern design with a few stone accents that will incorporate with nature and fit with the local theme. I  know this mantle will look really dramatic against a two story tinted concrete fireplace.
• The large rustic rolling barn door with old steel hardware. I’ve seen sliding doors incorporated into many eclectic loft-like decors. This one has so much patina and is just too cool.
• Old bricks. This one might be a bit tricky, as some of them are painted different colors and some of them are in the outside fireplace with a more rustic surface. Both have their appeal. I might need to consider a couple of different projects, such as the rustic ones being used in the floor of a sun room, and the painted ones all going together and being repainted a different color as a smaller accent wall. Then again, it might all just be too much of a pain in the neck to bother with. If I have to pick, I’d like to save the outside bricks at least. The look they have now just can’t be replicated with new stones.
• The fireplace insert. It’s a fairly hearty Franklin metal insert. While it might not be our first pick for a family area, it’s certainly serviceable and could eventually go in one of our artist’s retreats or other creative spaces.
• Windows. There are a ton of small and medium sized windows in this place, and I’ve found several ideas on the net (see my using old windows to decorate post). We’re thinking at least of a rolling green house if we can’t do the sun room right away, or as neat toppers for a rustic coffee table where we can display certain travel treasures.
• Cabinet and full sized doors. You can also see the other post I did on re-using old doors to see some things we have in mind for them.
• Our bathroom’s corner sink. This has a really neat vintage peachy-pink color and is quite large and deep for an antique corner sink. It’s also the same color as several of the accent flowers in our carved Chinese rugs that are with the movers. I’m certain there’s a way to incorporate it into our future master bath.
• All of the old cabinets without doors. Well, call me old fashioned, but I’d much prefer to put our design monies into the home’s interior than into storage space in our garage or potting area. I think these open pieces will be very helpful and a huge time saver.
• Our kitchen sink and metal vanity cabinet. This also has a vintage feel and removes easily as one piece. We can either use it to get us started at the new place temporarily or put it to use immediately in a potting area or rustic semi-outdoor kitchen.
• Certain furnishings. There are several pieces here at the cottage that are worth hanging on to. A great extra-long pine board library style table sits underneath some built in book shelves. (A writer used to own this place before my husband’s family.) There are several old bureaus which could be turned into other things. The pre-finished pine board walls could easily be disassembled for ready-made shelving for a craft and sewing room. I’m sure we’ll think of more.

If you have ideas for us, please post away. It’s important for us to honor the old structure since it was such an important property for David’s Mom and Dad.