JANUARY 2012 » book review

Hidden Treasures

Salvage Secrets: Transforming Reclaimed Materials into Design Concepts
by Joanne Palmisano, photographs by Susan Teare
W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York, NY; 2011
256 pages; hardcover; approximately 150 color photographs; $39.95
ISBN 978-0-393-73339-6

Reviewed by Annabel Hsin

It was like detective work when veteran salvager and interior designer Joanne Palmisano went in search of vintage salvaged wood for her kitchen island. The pieces needed to be long – 6 ft. and 11 ft., respectively – and about 3-in. thick, and with these specifications in hand, she contacted her local architectural salvage shop, which directed her to a farmer who collected reclaimed wood. After about an hour’s drive, Palmisano and her family found themselves in the middle of a field, knee-deep in snow, uncovering a single board from a pile of floor joists from a 1880s railroad building. After the farmer sanded away the dirt and grime, a perfect piece of reddish-colored, fine-grained wood was revealed. It now graces the countertop of her kitchen’s L-shaped island.

Oftentimes, homeowners shy away from using salvaged material for renovation projects because they are perceived as expensive or stylistically limited. In her new book, Salvage Secrets: Transforming Reclaimed Materials into Design Concepts, Palmisano challenges this idea, arguing that salvage materials not only have a good story behind them, but that they can also complement a broad range of design styles. Through more than 150 color photographs and line drawings, she demonstrates that “Modern, sleek, clean, simple, stylish, beautiful and chic are just a few of the words now used to describe home designs that incorporate salvage materials.”

The introduction is set up as a guide to help readers venture out on their first salvage hunt. Terms are defined, as they are often used interchangeably, and statistics and facts reveal the waste created by the construction industry: according to a study conducted by the National Association of Home Builders, 8,000 pounds of waste is created for every 2,000-sq.ft. home built.

Palmisano addresses the issue of cost by explaining that while salvaged material is often less expensive than buying new products, the labor costs associated with preparation and installation can be higher. However, salvaged pieces often add enough character to a room that the accompanying details can be modest. She stresses that careful planning is the key to lowering labor costs. Letting the builder know in advance which salvaged items are being used will prevent reinstallation, as older pieces usually don’t conform to today’s standard measurements.

The first five chapters are dedicated to the different salvageable materials: wood, glass, metal, stone, concrete, brick and ceramics, and lighting. Each chapter consists of sections focused on the different varieties within the material category, its possible uses, challenges of the material and its finishes, sealing and installation requirements. The text thoroughly examines each material and breaks down the questions to consider during every stage of the project. The last two chapters contain information on where to locate salvaged material and a portfolio of how these items can be incorporated in the home. The resource section provides contact information for architects, designers, builders and architectural shops and centers specializing in salvaged materials consulted for the book, as well as others located across the country.

Perhaps the most useful aspect of this book – whether for architects, design professionals or homeowners – is the photography with detailed captions. Design examples range from Modern to traditional. Ideas are innovative, such as a salvaged glass block as a shower partition in a bathroom; a copper candy bowl converted into a second sink for a farmhouse; and aluminum siding made from leftover scrap metal bent to create a shingle exterior. In another example, an architect and homeowner arranged leftover pieces of wood – plywood, trim, even cedar shingles – in a jigsaw puzzle-like design to create a feature wall in the master bedroom. The portfolio chapter contains an image depicting end-cuts of timber from an old dam used as flooring tile, each piece featuring its own growth rings and color.

Salvage Secrets is more than a coffee table book – it is a practical guide filled with useful information about the different salvageable materials available and points readers in the right direction to start their own search for those unique pieces that will complete their designs. As Palmisano notes in the conclusion, “A beautifully designed, finished room isn’t the only reward in working with salvaged material – the initial inspiration, the hunt, the selection, and the anticipation you feel as you watch the room come together are all a part of the fun. And, of course, knowing that your eco-friendly process is contributing to the greater good of the world makes it just that much better.”  

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