Very good tutorial from a professional garden...
I have subscribed to access all the courses so have watched one on interior design and this one with Butter Wakefield who specialises in small garden design. She ...
Louise Brown
Apr 10, 2026
Designing with Salvaged and Reclaimed Materials
with MARIA SPEAKE — Reclaimed Materials Interior Designer
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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437 reviews
Read moreI have subscribed to access all the courses so have watched one on interior design and this one with Butter Wakefield who specialises in small garden design. She ...
Louise Brown
Apr 10, 2026
I love CreateAcademy. I came in for the gardening and floristry courses, but am also watching an interior design one at present. And the photography course is an ...
Wellesley
Apr 1, 2026
What a great investment, I have learned such a lot from the first three courses. My evenings have gone from not being able to find anything that captured my imagi...
sojojo
Mar 30, 2026
I loved this course with Amanda Lindroth! Her approach to decorating is so relaxed and she makes it feel attainable. She explains the reasons behind her decisions...
Elizabeth
Mar 27, 2026
I have subscribed to access all the courses so have watched one on interior design and this one with Butter Wakefield who specialises in small garden design. She has a lovely personality and comes across as ...
Louise Brown
Apr 10, 2026
I love CreateAcademy. I came in for the gardening and floristry courses, but am also watching an interior design one at present. And the photography course is an absolute must, best I've ever done.
Wellesley
Apr 1, 2026
What a great investment, I have learned such a lot from the first three courses. My evenings have gone from not being able to find anything that captured my imagination on TV to learning and expanding my kno...
sojojo
Mar 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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