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
Iroko worktops
with MARIA SPEAKE — Reclaimed Materials Interior Designer
Lesson 8 of 30
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At Retrouvious, one of the staple materials has always been old Iroko wood desk tops and laboratory surfaces. Being a tropical hardwood, they are very precious and important to save, so Maria loves to find new uses for them.
From the Lesson Workbook
Iroko Worktops
Here at Retrouvious, one of our staple materials has always been old Iroko wood desk tops and laboratory surfaces. Being a tropical hardwood, they are very precious and important to save, so we love to find new uses for them.
Salvaging Iroko Worktops
The condition of these surfaces can often feel overwhelming, as they normally require sanding and refinishing. However, the result is always stunning and absolutely worth it.
If the surface was used as a laboratory worktop, it will often have a hole cut into it for the sink. Some people like to keep this as a fun quirk and work it into their design, but most will fill it.
Judge How Much History to Keep
It's up to you to decide how much of the patina and wear that you want to keep; you might like the graffiti scars, or you may prefer to completely sand it back.
Sourcebook
Stains & Finishes:
- Bona
- Osmo
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Read moreTime spent well
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
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\u2026
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
Very good tutorial from a professional garden designer
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
Time spent well
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
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
Maria Speake
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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