The high and low points of the installation seem to shift as they catch the light from different angles, creating a dynamic, almost kinetic effect. Designed by famed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the British Antique Museum opened in September 2022, honoring the close relationship between the town of Kamakura and Great Britain.

Just a one minute walk from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and a seven-minute walk from Kamakura Station, BAM exhibits British antiques collected over the years by museum director Masaomi Dobashi. The museum consists of four floors, each representing a different era and theme. The first floor is the museum shop, featuring a London taxi and telephone box. On the second floor, visitors will find Georgian-era antiques, including leather trunks, red cloaks, and bearskin hats worn by the Royal Guard.

On the third floor, visitors step into the world of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novels with a Sherlock Holmes-themed exhibit that recreates the fictional detective’s study and living space down to the most intricate details. The museum explains that “in the front, there is an armchair that invites clients in, and the gourd-shaped gasojin (soda water maker) that appears in Holmes’s story, as well as antique microscopes and physics and chemistry equipment, are reproduced as they were at the time.”

Standout objects on the museum’s Victorian-themed fourth floor include a John Broadwood & Sons piano, an extra-large gramophone made in 1935, a fireplace from a Kensington mansion, and stained glass featuring an image of Queen Victoria.

“As a connection between Kamakura and England, there is the National Trust movement that started in England in the Victorian era,” Dobashi explains on the BAM website. “It is the permanent preservation of historically significant land and assets through donations, and many scenic spots have been preserved as heritage. Kamakura is the place where the idea of the National Trust was introduced for the first time in Japan. ‘Kamakura’ is linked to the desire to cherish the good old British things, and the wonderful cultural heritage is still inherited.”

Kuma’s process of designing the British Antique Museum is documented in the book Kengo Kuma: Creating a Small British Antique Museum in Kamakura by Masaomi Dobashi, revealing more details about the connections between Kamakura, Great Britain, and Kuma, who also designed V&A Dundee, a branch of London’s Victoria & Albert Museum located in Dundee, Scotland.

“British antiques and modern electric cars are exhibited there, and it can be said that it is a timeless fusion of old and new,” Kuma says. “This time, the British Antique Museum BAM, which stands on the approach to Kamakura’s historic Dankazura, is lined with pure antiques that have absorbed more than 100 years of time collected by Mr. Dobashi. In that sense, I thought that the design of the building should be as pure as possible. As a result of repeated deliberations, we eliminated all the windows and made it simple, adopting a facade inspired by Kamakura-bori, which symbolizes the traditional culture of Kamakura.”

The post Kengo Kuma Honors Japanese Woodworking Traditions with Striking Museum Facade first appeared on Dornob.

If you love all things vintage, chances are high you’ve dreamed of restoring the old appliances you’ve spotted at yard sales and antique stores before. But if you aren’t particularly handy, getting (and keeping) these items in working condition might seem beyond your skillset. The good news is that the older an appliance is, the easier it probably is to repair. On top of that, many of them might already be ready to plug in and use, even if you do need to give them a good cleaning first.

Without further ado, here are some tips for buying, repairing, and maintaining vintage kitchen items and appliances.

Shopping for Vintage Items

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On the r/BuyItForLife subReddit, users post examples of durable, quality products that are made to last, including a whole lot of kitchen appliances. Browse the many threads posted by the subReddit’s 822,000 members, and you’ll find great recommendations for specific products and brands that are still going strong after 30, 50, 70, or even 100 years. This is a great starting point for shopping, whether you’re going for an antique farmhouse vibe or splashy “atomic” midcentury style.

With some patience and determination, you can probably find great vintage and antique kitchen items at thrift stores, flea markets, vintage malls, and online on sites like Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay. If you can’t find a brand name but like the look of a find, look at the details to make sure it’s an original rather than a knock-off. Things like real wood, dovetail joints, and obvious patina let you know it’s probably true vintage, and you should probably pass on anything that looks shoddy or feels cheap in your hands.

Here are some of Buy it for Life’s top recommendations:

MagicChef Stove

You can still find these classic 50 to 100-year-old stoves all over the United States. Some are gas powered, while others are wood-burning. Other recommended brands include Garland, Hot Point, and Gaffers & Sattler. Best of all, models made in the 1970s or earlier are likely to have simple replaceable or repairable components.

KitchenAid Stand Mixer

Still considered a necessity for any wedding registry all these years later, the classic KitchenAid stand mixer is a workhorse built tough enough to withstand daily use for decades on end. If you want, you can follow u/will3675’s lead and give yours an update with some fresh grease and a new coat of paint.

Pyrex Percolator Coffee Makers

Stovetop percolators like this stunning 1960s David Douglas model will never let you down. In fact, true vintage Pyrex of any sort, including dishes, are virtually indestructible and still widely available secondhand. If you prefer something a little more contemporary, Bunn plug-in drip coffee machines from the 70s and 80s get good marks, too.

Sunbeam Toaster

These old Sunbeam toasters are cute, easy to find, and extremely reliable. They lower your bread slices automatically after you drop them in and still offer a dial to fine-tune your preferred level of toasting.

Refrigerators

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One thing you might want to avoid buying vintage is your refrigerator. Not only are older models inefficient, but their door latches are also generally considered unsafe due to the risk of kids trapping themselves inside. If you really want a vintage-style fridge, there are lots of new models available in cute era-appropriate colors, including the Chambers Fun Fridge at Lowe’s, the Classic Retro 22” Energy Star Refrigerator at Wayfair, and virtually anything made by Smeg.

Repairing and Maintaining Vintage Appliances

When you can, ask the shop to plug in the item in question to see if it works. If it doesn’t, inspect it for obvious problems like signs of electrical meltdowns and excessive rust (in which case you should always pass). Electrical cords and heating elements, however, can often be replaced easily as a DIY project.

Many items have been sitting in storage for years and will need to be deep-cleaned and/or degreased. If the prospect of disassembling an item like an old stove is beyond what you’re willing to do yourself, see if an appliance repair shop near you has experience with vintage and antique items. With gas appliances, it’s also essential to have them tested for safety before installation. And when it comes to anything you’ll be eating or drinking out of, make sure to do your research before use. Some older items like teapots can contain hazardous substances, including heavy metals that can leach into your food and make you sick.

Top image via Elle Decor

The post How to Find, Repair, and Maintain Vintage Kitchen Items and Appliances first appeared on Dornob.

A Modern Glam Mantel

Some branches from the outdoors, a few eye-catching decorative elements, and a restrained color palette make this mantel by Modern Glam an elegant way to celebrate the season. Mix natural materials and cozy textures with graphic spooky shapes and objects like a ceramic crow sculpture from Pottery Barn, a moon phase lamp from Urban Outfitters, black pumpkins from Ballard Designs, and a spider cut-out garland from Any Occasion Banners on Etsy.

Here’s a tip from Ashley at Modern Glam:

“One of my favorite things to do is to take the decorations that I already have and try and use them in a new way. Something I haven’t ever tried before. This is a challenge, but a fun and creative one! So, take what you have and rather than put it out each year in the same spot, try something new! Rearrange, repurpose, and reinvent the items you already own. And mix in items that aren’t necessarily for the holiday. For this neutral Halloween mantel, I repurposed my vintage champagne bucket to hold the tree branches. I love the antique spin it gives this vignette.”

A Witchy Apothecary

Spells, specimens, and curious collections — this witchy Halloween decor theme is easy to cobble up using many items you already have. Got an old witch costume you’re not wearing this year? Thread some clear fishing line through the tip of the hat and hang it from the ceiling for an eerie floating effect. A wooden broom propped in the corner makes a big impact, too. But of course, the star of the show is a display of mysterious glass vessels filled with who knows what.

This style works particularly well in homes with lots of antique and vintage elements, so pull out your weathered wooden trunks, dusty old books, possibly haunted mirrors, and dried roses. You can easily reuse glass bottles straight from your recycling bin, fill them with props and colored liquids or gelatin, and cap them off with wax. If you want to invest in pieces you can use year-round, check out Pottery Barn’s collection of clear glass apothecary jars.

You don’t have to be an artist or a calligrapher to pull off those custom labels, either. You can find printable designs all over the internet, like these ones by Lia Griffith, which read “toadstool clippings,” “feathers of the crow,” “snake venom,” and more. A framed “Salem Apothecary” sign by AllChristmas on Etsy is a nice touch, as are black bat cutouts for the wall by TheVinylTree, also on Etsy.

A Haunting Table

Set the table for a feast fit all your favorite ghouls and goblins — and all without a single paper plate in sight! Many of your favorite home decor retailers have items for sale that will send a chill down the spines of your guests, and some of them are perfectly appropriate to use year-round, too.

Matte black flatware from West Elm takes on a sinister look when it’s surrounded by creepy decor, but it makes for a beautifully minimalist table otherwise. Magnolia’s simple black taper holders won’t spook anyone too much when they’re used with white candles, but with a set of black tapers like these from Colonial Candle, they’re just right for a touch of fright.

If you’re in the mood to splurge on your favorite holiday, Williams Sonoma also has some gorgeous pieces for your Halloween party, like a cauldron-shaped serving bowl and a skull-topped decanter.

The post Step Up Your Halloween Game With These Spooky Decor Pieces first appeared on Dornob.

Photographer John Margolies (1940-2016), was known for capturing images of the quirky, unique, and offbeat architecture along America’s roads. His Roadside America Photograph Archive contains thousands of images, cataloging the changing landscape of America over four transformative decades. Following his death, the Library of Congress purchased his collection for posterity, and they recently released it to the public domain without restrictions.

The collection of 11,710 pictures is far more than a trove of random images. It’s one of the most comprehensive chronicles of vernacular architecture, quirky businesses, and weird sculptures ever assembled.

Many of the slides were published in books with personal annotations from Margolies. Now, for the first time, everyone can access every image in the collection on the Library of Congress site.

Compiled over countless back road journeys from 1969 to 2008, this treasure trove delivers a time capsule in each frame. Margolies chronicled the changes happening to his country with loving precision and a playful eye.

In the early days of automotive travel, roadside architecture started popping up everywhere as a draw for tourists. Gas stations were no longer simply a pump—to attract expanding business, entrepreneurial owners started incorporating whimsical eye-catchers like pagodas, bomber planes, teepees, or giant cowboy gear into their designs.

In the era of Sunday drives and road trip vacations, car journeys often included pit stops at one-of-a-kind attractions like the world’s largest buffalo, pecan, or bureau.

Margolies spent most of his shutter time in California, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, and Texas. About half the photos in this collection were taken in one of those areas, but all 48 contiguous American states make an appearance.

Margolies saw these roadside treats for what they were—part of a passing trend that would one day vanish from cultural memory unless lovingly preserved. With his trusty Canons, he chronicled the development and eventual demise of the early routes and roads that spread across the country, bringing industry and opportunity to post-WWII America.

With the continued advancement of the automobile, infrastructure evolved, creating highways to cater to the increasing number of cars. Along with that development came a faster pace of travel, and the decline of roadside extravagance.

People began zipping between cities rather than tootling the back roads, largely abandoning the curios of Roadside America. Many of the kooky attractions at gas stations, concept restaurants, and wacky businesses signs that Margolies photographed live on solely through his visionary work.

Each of the 11,710 original 33 mm slides have been digitized in high definition, and the originals are kept in cold storage for preservation. The title, date, and subject attached were provided by Margolies, but the subject and geographical headings were added by staff at the Library of Congress.

This treasured collection tells the story of a country transforming in pace, scope, and social focus. It’s also the story of a man with a rambling, adventurous spirit, a healthy respect for whimsy and kitsch, and a historian’s impulse to chronicle a rapidly changing world.

The post Library of Congress Releases John Margolies’ “Roadside America Series” first appeared on Dornob.

The post Steampunk Work Bench: Antique Looks, Modern Tech first appeared on Dornob.

What if we were unable to discard our old furniture and, instead, were responsible for finding a place for it in our current living space?

Karen Ryan takes her inspiration for excess and waste – her barely-balanced chairs look ever more precarious with each addition, making the point all the more clearly.

If each tossed chair had to use the same footprint as your current seat, well, the end is obvious: eventually it will topple over on its side, be crushed under its own weight, and who knows what would happen to the furniture sitting below.

The post Balancing Act: Gravity-Defying Ball of Floating Furniture first appeared on Dornob.

The post Classy Trash: Antique Metal Objects as Modern Table Lamps first appeared on Dornob.

Forget futuristic: from quirky styles to implausible color combinations, the past has plenty of daring-enough decor ideas for those with an open mind about furniture, furnishing and fixture design.

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Some of these objects are built from actual antiques, hacked classics or recycled trash-found treasures, while others draw on historic styles in combination with new materials. A quick hover-and-click above will reveal more images and details on each item or idea and its respective designer.

A few snapshots for the skeptics: wall-hanging art frames turned into live ant colonies, on the one hand, and hand-stitched carpets from historic rug scraps on the other.

Of course, the standard caveat applies: what looks groovy to one house-decorating diva may be appear appalling (and best left in the landfill) to a more-ordinary homeowner – so buyer (and browser) beware!

The post Furniture Flashback: 30 Vintage & Retro Fits for Rad Homes first appeared on Dornob.

What could be cooler than a converted warehouse home or a renovated bakery residence? How about combining them both, with a skyway-style (but semi-enclosed) bridge spanning a new courtyard space built in between.

This project by JCB of Melbourne took two old structures (both slated for demolition) and tied them together, creating a sizable dwelling for a likewise-large family.  Greenery and garden paths make additional visual and physical connections along the ground floor.

While some elements have been added, much of the original building fabric remains intact, particularly on the exterior – and additions (such as sun-sheltering black window boxes) stand out as intentionally different. Even the faded sign for the Golden Crust Bakery can be read along one outside wall.

Inside, the story is different – some double-height spaces still show off the (now white, repainted) beams of the original building, but much has been modernized for the comfort and style of the clients. Still, some of the neatest elements remain, including rough red brick both inside and out. And some of the new features are at least fun, if slightly strange, like mixed red-and-mirror bathroom wall tiles and an interstitial space with green plant-themed wall finishes, offsetting the woods, whites, grays and blacks that define core spaces.

“This project commenced in 2006 as a residential warehouse fit-out of the former Golden Crust Bakery in Armadale. In its more recent life the Golden Crust Bakery had suffered from a mock French provincial make over that was incongruous with the original architecture. The building was in a state of serious deterioration and whilst it was perceived to have potential to meet our clients brief, the possibility of demolition was a serious consideration on the basis that the building was not protected by any heritage overlays.”

“The clients made an early decision to commit to retaining the Bakery which was highly valued in the streetscape by the surrounding neighbours. The project was approached on the common understanding between client and architect that the building would be re-invigorated with careful attention to appropriate detailing which would both preserve and enhance its semi-industrial appeal.  The client’s uncompromised commitment to the preservation and enhancement of the existing fabric provided the foundation for the project’s ultimate success.”

The post Warehouse + Bakery = Huge New Family Home first appeared on Dornob.

As any artisan knows, curving wood can be a time-consuming, labor-intensive and skill-exacting process – so why start bending new boards when there are barrels full of already-bent oak in old reclaimed wine barrels?

French oak forms the basis for each of these unique creations, designed and manufactured by Stil Novo in California. Deep burgundy reds provide a process-based contrast with the natural pale browns of the original oaks.

Oak barrels have limited lifespans in the wine industry, with color, texture, and flavor-influencing properties being leached with each round of wine-making (only 3 to 6 uses are possible for a given container).

This would-be loss is transformed into an incredible gain for those who have a vision for upcycling parts and pieces cut from old barrels.

Whether the traditional aesthetic suits given tastes or interiors, these projects certainly do a nice job of rounding out the lives of long-felled trees, rebuilding them as tables, chairs, stools, crates, cabinets, lamps, mirrors and more.

“Stil Novo Design’s recycled oak wine barrels creations, unique sustainable custom furniture, lighting, elegant home & wedding decor and gift ideas are entirely made with recycled French oak wine barrels. We are a family business located in Northern California where we design and manufacture all of our products. Each of our pieces is a true labor of love, carefully handcrafted using the finest artisan skills.”

“When a wine barrel is converted into furniture and home decor, its history is preserved and can be enjoyed for generations in the form of a unique artisan heirloom. In fact a whole barrel offers the opportunity of reusing every bit of material -from the solid, beautiful white oak of which its staves and head are made, to the metal hoops that kept it together.”

“Working with recycled materials involves time consuming procedures to prepare the wood before the end result can be achieved. We don’t delegate any part of the manufacturing process, in order to guarantee quality consistency.”

The post Bent-Wood Furniture Made from Wine Barrels first appeared on Dornob.

Could two halves of one furniture design be crafted more differently? What starts as an ornate, highly decorated antique looking wooden dresser on one side transforms into the most abstract, minimalist and modern-looking of wood storage cabinets on the other.

In short, though both sides can be seen to belong to specific historic stylistic periods, there is a way in which they represent opposite aesthetics as different as postmodern paintings and ancient cave carvings – conceptually as far apart as art and/or design can get.

Despite the actual space of transition between the ancient- and ultramodern-looking pieces of this unlikely whole, there is something smooth about the transition – assisted by a few key points of physical overlap and the continuation of color from the hand-carved half to the through to parts of the machine-built half.

Designed by Ferruccio Laviani for Emmemobili , the aptly named ‘Evolution’ oak sideboard may be the strangest attempt to fuse styles from separate centuries into a single, mass-produced and market-ready furniture object.

“A unique and iconic element of great strength, Evolution transfers to the viewer the power of the evolution that the world of wooden furniture has undergone in recent decades. From the large, hand-carved decorations representing the fine cabinet-making that made the classical style possible in all its richness, to the formal cleanliness of dry, rigorous volumes of a more rationalist, current trend.”

About designer Ferruccio Laviani:

“Born in Cremona in 1960, he studied at the Istituto Professionale Internazionale per l’Artigianato Liutario e del Legno di Cremona and received his diploma in 1978. He then went on to attend the Politecnico di Milano Architecture Faculty and graduated in 1986, after studying on the courses taught by Achille Castiglioni and Marco Zanuso. During this period he also studied at the Politecnico di Design di Milano, a private school from which he received his diploma in 1984. In 1983, he began working at Studio De Lucchi, becoming a partner in 1986 and leaving the firm in 1991 to open his own Studio in Milan.”

“He works as an architect in the areas of product design, interior design, art direction and graphics. He has been Art Director at Kartell since 1991 and has held this position for various other companies including Flos, De Padova, Foscarini, Moroso, Society (Limonta) and Emmemobili.”

The post Evolution Sideboard Combines Historic + Modern Style first appeared on Dornob.

Process and product are aligned with aesthetics in this series of playful home furnishings. They are not just made to look old but actually crafted from vintage parts of old fixtures, furniture scraps and other found objects.

Galvanized pipe, reclaimed wood, salvaged steel, tin cans, rusted pots and an antique cords are the most obvious pieces of Sean Woolsey‘s lamps, for instance.

On a smaller scale, though, hemp wire, in-line switches, weathered fasteners and careworn hinges bring a sense of authenticity to even the more minute material details. 

Beyond furnishings and fixtures, he creates wall-hanging works of rustic-looking art and heavy-duty, recycled-material tables, benches and other furniture as well. His copper series is especially striking, and his furniture features elevated proportions and high end materials that never feel too fine to actually use in real life.

Some might still call it kitsch or imitation, until they see the craftsman in action – from his faded leather work apron and thick-rimmed glasses to the tools and toolboxes he uses, Sean truly practices what he preaches (or lives what and where he works, as it were).

“Our focus at Sean Woolsey Studio is handmade furniture, incorporating natural materials and letting their natural beauty show. Our pieces are purposely designed to last generations, in contrast to a “throw-away” mass market approach. The core of what we do is informed by the beauty, structure, and simplicity in nature. “

“Growing up Woolsey was influenced by his father who was a stained glass artist and photographer. From a young age he had a hands-on approach and could often be found building skate ramps with friends, and later deconstructing furniture and seeing how it was built and what he would do differently. That snowballed into the business after several years of tinkering with his head down. “

“The team at Sean Woolsey Studio is a tightly knit group of a talented craftsman. We also work with highly skilled upholsterers, woodworkers, and welders all within 50 miles of our studio in sunny Costa Mesa, CA. We keep the group of collaborators and team members small and local to assure synergy and that product standards remain high. We hope to impart to you our shared and profound appreciation of nature and natural materials embodied in our work.”

The post Lamps & Furniture Made of Reclaimed Antiques first appeared on Dornob.

Sometimes ‘design’ is as simple as transposing an object from one place and time to another – say, from the inside of a vintage train to the wall of a contemporary loft. A luggage rack by any other name, well, it could be a wall-mounted shelf instead. It just takes a pair of fresh eyes and a great imagination to see the promise in objects other people no longer find useful. The designers at Elemental do just that, turning discarded objects into retro furniture and accessories with personality.

Elemental is a British vintage and antique store with a bit of a twist – in addition to found objects they also sell certain upcycled items, hybridized from old and new alike. When needed, they make modifications – when not, they clean, organize and present for sale essentially as-is. Sometimes, you really just want that texture and signs of aging to bring in extra character and a sense of history.

Examples of Elemental’s fine furniture restoration work include: old cabinets laminated with new (retro) layers, like old signs, advertisements and pieces of billboards … or carved wooden chests cut to fit old wood drawers, miscellaneous salvaged antiques with unique finishes, fasteners, joinery and pulls. Aren’t these so cool and unique? You won’t find them at chain furniture stores, that’s for sure.

But many of their items are simply refurbished and set in a new context – products you might think of as trash if you saw them on the street, but which – when washed up and set against a brick wall and worn wood flooring – start to come alive again. Just look at these old work lights, for instance. 

Elemental’s incredibly exhaustive list of offerings is categorized and sub-categorized akin to Dornob itself, including (but not limited to): books, bowls, boxes, ceramics, coat stands, glassware, globes, kitchenware, ladders, tea ware, texture, toys, candle lanterns and ceiling lamps, benches, chairs, sofas, stools, apothecaries, armoires, cabinets, cupboards and, of course, haberdashery. Check it all out at the Elemental website.

The post Elemental Turns Discarded Vintage Objects into Beautiful Retro Furniture first appeared on Dornob.

Forget fabric stores – some antiques are just too boring to bother re-covering with traditional patterns. These hodgepodge pieces use patchwork scraps to create fresh new themes within stodgy old frameworks. (Re)fabric(ation) can be fun.

Based in Sweden, a group called Design by Leftovers takes old and often overly-ornate furnishings that would hardly fit in a modern home, and remakes them to look creative, contemporary and strangely more timeless. If you are at a loss for how to reupholster some vintage furniture and other household items, look no further for inspiration.

While there seems to be much mixing going on, there is a clear set of methods within the madness – each found piece of fabric is stitched into a new whole in a way that is clearly conscious of what appears around it in terms of colors and patterns.

Old velvet slipcovers, vinyl patches, leather panels and more are paired for reupholstering with carved-wood chairs and couches, much of which may have vintage appeal but, save for such interventions, is otherwise destined to become discount furniture beyond repair.

Each of this series has a core zone of tonal focus – cool purples and relaxing blues to bright reds, bizarre pinks and earth browns. No doubt much fun was had in the remaking of this weird collection, sorting out various styles and colors of the spectrum to create unique new furniture objects and even a few oddly-matched sets.

None of it comes cheap, either. That green patchwork sofa seen above, known as Charlotte’s leftovers, reportedly costs a cool 9250 Euros (about $10,500 USD.)

Beyond recycled, upcycled and reupholstered furniture, Design by Leftovers’ aesthetic just gets weirder. They’re also known for rehabbing old vintage dressers, bureaus, tables and other objects with paint jobs we’ll call – uh – unconventional. It just goes to show that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, as they say. Check it out for yourself and tell us what you think.

The post Vintage Furniture with Patchwork Upholstery first appeared on Dornob.

Retro chic can only take you so far, and truly classic Turkish rugs … well, eventually they break down beyond the possibility of repair. Taking a Frankensteinian approach, designers at Limited Edition have created a series of area carpets that (somewhat literally) tie together the past and the present. Antique rug scraps get a new life as vivid patchwork creations with a fun look.

Cut, treated, died and woven back together, the patchwork results feature new hues layered over old antique textiles, providing the result with a sense of aesthetic unity through a more-uniform color.

At the same time, visible seams, mismatched sizes and color options spanning the rainbow from warm yellow, orange and red to cooler blue, green and purple (as well as gray and black) all help maintain the feel of something handmade, artistic and unique.

Of course, one could take a cue from this set and simply start accumulating old rugs at estate and garage sales to do this DIY style. There is, for instance, no reason one couldn’t also make the patched product shaped perfectly to fit a space – wall-to-wall built-in carpeting, with a twist.

Other patchwork-type textiles from Limited Edition include natural-fur floor covers and sewn-together, linear-strip leather wall works, each of which go a step beyond decor in defining layouts and enhancing interior space designs, depending on ones willingness to go with leathers.

About Limited Edition Rugs

“The qualified in-house design team is overseen by the creative director and founder of Limited Edition, Katia Dewitte. Her design trademark is a commitment to timeless elegance and a clear-sighted vision of the future. Katia spends a lot of time travelling the world, giving her inspiration to design the collections. Passionate about colours and textures, she understands perfectly how to integrate them into the collection.”

The post Antique Rug Scraps Get a New Life as Patchwork Wonders first appeared on Dornob.

Passed-down family furniture can become more beautiful as it grows older, but past a certain point the core structure may start to give. This age-conscious design is more than a case-specific solution – it is a statement about how we can rehabilitate rather than replace priceless personal objects that have value beyond the sum of their parts.

Titled Grandmother’s Chair, this classic wood seat was breaking down along one side – a hobbled leg and splintering back simply had to be fixed. One answer would have been to find matching material and make it look like it used to, but the reality would not match the illusion. Worse yet, the owner would know it.

Instead, clear resin was cast in the shape of the seat by H220430 studio – a kind of fill-in-the-blank solution that does not seek to replicate the original components. Through contrast, it becomes clear (no pun intended) what parts were salvaged and which pieces were added to save the rest.

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then memory lies in the emotionally-charged portions of the mind. For some, it would be better to repair the aging chair in the most seamless manner possible. For others, this hybrid creation preserves what remains in the most respectful way possible.

“This antique chair is from my grandmother’s store. Although it is an attractive chair with a beautiful silhouette, it is clearly getting old. One leg is broken and the backrest is so damaged that it looks sad. However, I still find the chair attractive. I tried to repair the chair to make it usable again. It is sad to loose the memories and associated with an old object when it is repaired. It is as if the act of renewal resets the memories that accumulated within the object. It also feels insensitive to fake the age of new parts by ‘distressing’ their surface.”

“In my work I try to acknowledge the patina of time and memories that belong to an object. I replaced the missing leg and the backrest of the chair by using clear resin casts, so as to acknowledge the absence of the originals. My work Grandmother’s chair ”Suggests that in an age marked by problems associated with excessive production and consumption, we could benefit from a rediscovery of our respect for things from the past.”

The post Hybrid Heirloom: Repairing a Family Chair first appeared on Dornob.