Designing with Salvaged and Reclaimed Materials

Salvaged bannisters

with MARIA SPEAKE — Reclaimed Materials Interior Designer

Lesson 33 of 34

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Staircases are another element within the home where salvaged materials can be used, however there are quite strict building regulations to bear in mind.

From the Lesson Workbook

Salvaged Bannisters

Staircases are another element within the home where salvaged materials can be used; however, there are quite strict building regulations to bear in mind.

Tips for Salvaged Bannisters

  • You will often find bundles of salvaged spindles in a reclamation yard, and they can be combined to create a really playful take on a bannister.
  • Make sure your end post is very strong - we have put a steel rod through the centre of the one in this project to make sure it's reinforced.
  • Connect each reclaimed spindle with metal pins to provide additional support and strength.
  • You can play around with the gaps between spindles, but just ensure that the gaps conform to building regulations.

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Maria Speake

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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