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Designing with Salvaged and Reclaimed Materials
Iroko worktops
with MARIA SPEAKE — Reclaimed Materials Interior Designer
Lesson 8 of 34
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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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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 information to dive into and explore new ideas. I'm...
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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 ...
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Magic in small spaces
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
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May 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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