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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
Using salvage fabric, leather and suede
with MARIA SPEAKE — Reclaimed Materials Interior Designer
Lesson 9 of 34
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You might not instantly associate fabric with salvage and reclamation yards, but it is more common than you think. Join Maria as she offers suggestions for how it can be reused.
From the Lesson Workbook
Using Salvaged Fabric, Leather and Suede
You might not instantly associate fabric with salvage and reclamation yards, but it is more common than you think. Rather than being secondhand, it is normally brand-new fabric but the offcuts or surplus from a larger project that are no longer needed.
Fabric Wall Panels
Offcuts of leather, fabric or suede can be used to create decorative wall panels. We have done this by cutting ply boards to the size we require, padding them and then upholstering the fabric over the top.
Sourcebook
- Bill Amberg Studio
- British pasture leather - ethical leather suppliers
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May 31, 2026
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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...
Harvey
Jun 10, 2026
Absolutely love Create Academy
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
Magic in small spaces
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
Carla
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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