“Our work is underpinned by a philosophy of reuse,” writes London designer Maria Speake. “Materiality is part of the fun of life in our studio—we always try to incorporate reclaimed materials and demonstrate how old and rejected materials are still relevant.” Speake’s castoffs come from Retrouvius, the combination salvage business and interior design office she runs with her husband, Adam Hills—he does the hunting and gathering, she leads the design team.
We’ve been avidly following their work for years: in 2009, Julie spotlighted Retrouvius’s use of glass funnels as hanging lampshades. More recently, we featured their Rustic Remodel of a Notting Hill Townhouse, Bathroom Designs Featuring Vintage Components, and Use of Salvage in Contemporary Kitchen Designs.
By popular demand, here are five more examples of the Retrouvius way with kitchens, all starring, in Maria’s words, “old and rejected materials elevated by being treated with a modern language.”
Photography courtesy of Retrouvius.
An Oxfordshire New Build Known as The Tennis Court House
Bella Freud’s London Kitchen
A West London Family Home with a Backsplash of Castoff Onyx
Salvaged Cheeseboards as Cabinet Fronts in a North London Family Home
Salvaged Museum Lockers as Storage in Hampstead
More creative reuse in the kitchen:
- A Clever Kitchen Composed of Affordable Recycled Parts
- A Tiny Reclaimed Kitchen Designed in a Wink
- Steal This Look: A Modular Salvaged Kitchen in Sonoma
- Moody By Design: An Artist Couple’s Hauntingly Beautiful Quarters in York
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