Stories of salvage run deeper than the finished image.
Here we share how we created a kitchen island for a client as part of a full home refurbishment project as featured in the current UK House & Garden.
Why do museum pieces come about?
The realignment of display and storage technology within museums often makes these traditional C19th pieces redundant.
Such upgrades to environmental and security techniques, catalysed by Heritage Lottery Funding, accelerated the decommissioning of these pieces 10-20 years ago. However, stock often takes time to filter down into the market and each of these complex pieces of joinery require time to understand of how they can be sensitively reused.
How can they be reused?
Reuse requires confidence in handling these exceptional pieces of cabinetry. Made by the finest Victorian joiners and usually from precious hardwoods the quality would be expensive if bought new.
They can be awkward pieces to adapt. Skill and goodwill are required for integrating dishwashers, basins and storage and clever tradesmen to remodel pieces successfully.
Projects our studio have reused museum cabinets in are often designed specifically around them. If plumbing and sinks are difficult to integrate we will located these to elsewhere on the plan.
How can they work in a contemporary context?
Salvaged cabinets are large pieces of furniture for domestic reuse but modern elements; mirrored glazing, fabrics etc. can be introduced to visually lighten the formal look.
Equally, the language these Victorian pieces have: mouldings, panels and patina, reintroduces character and craftsmanship to buildings that may have suffered a heavy hand by previous owners or had decorative elements stripped out over the years.
Current Stock
Oak Museum Display Cases #9292
We’ve recently sourced two large oak museum display cases.
The base and glazed top can be separated, allowing each component to be repurposed independently.
The base, featuring cupboards on both sides, is perfect for transforming into a unique kitchen island, while the glazed top is ideal for creating an elegant shop display.
