Interior and exterior confidence
Create Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of inform...
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Jun 10, 2026
Designing with Salvaged and Reclaimed Materials
with MARIA SPEAKE — Reclaimed Materials Interior Designer
Lesson 12 of 34
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Reusing antique taps and sanitaryware in a bathroom can work really well, but there are certain things to consider and be mindful of. Maria points out the pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Reusing antique taps and sanitaryware in a bathroom can work really well, but there are certain things to consider.
The question of using old taps or new is largely down to personal preference, and whether your contractor feels comfortable with the possible issues that come with old taps.
We prefer to use new taps but then salvage antique ceramic bathroom basins. Be mindful that basins from certain eras will not come with an overflow; this may impact where you want to use it.
It's ideal if your basin doesn't have any pre-existing holes for taps, as this means you can have a very simple mixer tap mounted onto the wall, which is an easy solution and feels contemporary.
If you are set on using antique taps, it can be done, and the effect is often worth the effort. They are always visually appealing with great character and have a wonderful weight to them. For restoration of taps, try an organisation like this.
There are some really beautiful antique cistern pulls that you can salvage and turn into light pulls. They are often brass, ceramic or a mix of wood and metal.
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Read moreCreate Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of inform...
Harvey
Jun 10, 2026
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May 31, 2026
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May 30, 2026
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May 20, 2026
Create Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of information to dive into and explore new ideas. I'm...
Harvey
Jun 10, 2026
Absolutely love Create Academy! The instructors are extremely informative, and it is beautifully filmed. Create Academy is great value for money and plan on renewing my subscription yearly because there are ...
SG
May 31, 2026
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
Carla
May 30, 2026
Your Instructor
Reclaimed Materials Interior Designer
Named interior designer of the year by House & Garden, Maria Speake co-founded Retrouvius in 1993 and leads its award-winning design studio. Her work reimagines salvaged and reclaimed objects from hardwoods to textiles into richly textured, liveable pieces. With three decades of practice, she’s helped put thoughtful reclamation at the centre of contemporary interior design.
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