My mother had a favorite expression regarding fashion. “You need to shop where you won’t see yourself coming and going,” meaning, seek out stores with a unique selection of goods.
The same can be said for remodels, where, these days, it seems that every kitchen is white, every bathroom has bowl sinks, and every wall is some tone of grey. I happen to like those combinations, and they are neutral and very good for resale but for individuals who want a little spice in their remodels, there are other venues.
Eco-friendly techniques and materials are becoming more commonplace in renovations and new construction. According to the National Association of Home Builders, many buyers consider green home features to be either essential or desirable. This includes Energy Star-rated windows, triple pane insulating windows, sustainably harvested lumber and components made of recycled materials.
These products are improving indoor air quality and reducing everyone’s carbon footprint in a continued effort to reduce global warming. However, eco-friendly remodels do not lower renovation costs. Prices have come down, but homeowners should still expect to pay a premium for green materials. This could be a good return on investment down the road because sustainable materials are often more durable, require less maintenance and are in demand.
Taking it a step further, and keeping my mother’s theory in mind, searching out reusable and sustainable products to do your renovation can save a considerable amount of money. This can also apply if you donate your old cabinets, appliances and sinks, taking the tax write-off.
Proponents of repurposed products say using reclaimed products is taking something that would otherwise be wasted and giving it new life. These days, when everyone is obsessed with everything new, finding recycled elements for your remodel is not only easy but, in many cases, surprisingly lightly used.
A quick internet search of architectural salvage stores will reveal several right in our backyard. And don’t let the word salvage discourage you; the salvaged or vintage items range from 1920s file boxes to trendy slab dining tables with wooden slabs recycled from their previous life. There are enormous supplies of small items like former moldings and vintage fans that haven’t seen the light of day in decades and are just waiting to add a little interest to your remodeled kitchen.
I had so much fun browsing the websites of these salvage stores I almost forgot what I was actually looking for. My absolute favorite was an Electronic Diagnosis Engine Tester from some era way before computer chips were invented, and the magic vibrating chair looked like it belonged in San Quentin. If you’re lucky enough to find fixtures, cabinets and decorative tiles for your renovation, not only will you save a ton of money, but likely get a better-quality product.
I found three stores specializing in architectural salvage in two minutes: Sarasota Architectural Salvage, Décor Direct Wholesale Warehouse, both in Sarasota, and Schiller’s Architectural Design Salvage in Tampa. These types of salvage stores have an ongoing incoming and outgoing supply of items, so if you’re looking for something specific that is not currently available, stay in touch with the owners and tell them what you need.
We all should do our best to recycle and purchase eco-friendly products. Most of us are somewhere between buying almost nothing to complete a renovation and hiring the most expensive contractor we can find. Even recycling your own cabinets for use somewhere else in your home helps.
And remember, when you go salvage, you’ll never see your kitchen coming and going.
