Five Fabulous Recycled Salvaged Lights.

I don't mind the coming winter...snow...whatever -- what bugs me is the dark. It is getting dark so early and it is nearly impossible to get out of bed in the morning when my mind is saying -- "no! it is still too dark." So, of course, this is when I start thinking about lights--one of my favorite salvaged, recycled, repurposed building items, because the selection is endless -- and it is an easy add to your home design or decor. So I'll pretend I can have it all and show you a few of my dream lights. Stop by the post and make a comment and let me know some of yours--I'll keep the light on for you!

How beautiful is this recycled glass chandelier, pendant light from the Sundance Catalog. The amber color is knock your socks off gorgeous.

I have just discovered these talented designers from the group, Erin Martin Design.
This light is from one of their many amazing projects. Talk about eye candy!

Of course, if you can't find what you are looking for, you can make it yourself. Like this light I made for DIY NETWORK. They have lots of step-by-step light fixtures to choose from.

These recycled street light lamps by Brett Corino I saw on Inhabitat are pretty cool.  Love the retro red, yellow, white and black colors.

Judis Lamps on Etsy is just one of the hundred shops that sell vintage, repurposed and restored salvaged lights, lamps and fixtures.

Simple Salvaged Storage

We have a very tiny guest bedroom and it's not because we want our guests to leave quickly but because we have a non-conforming house -- meaning we could only build so big. So we sacrificed space in the guest bedroom. We didn't even bother to make a closet. But what I found during the writing of my book is I'm not the only one who doesn't have a built-in storage all over the place. Here is the before and after of my guest bedroom to show you how simple and affordable it is to create an attractive storage area. I'd love to hear about your salvage storage solutions!  Joanne

The empty space where a closet could be.

Simple transformation with Goodwill bureau, branches, antique mirror,
light and some accessories.

Thank you Giveaway. A Copy of Salvage Secrets.

I really don't know where to start there are hundreds of people I need to thank for all the support they have given me for my book, blog and DIY projects.  I mean, big thank you to Architectural Digest for putting me in their Gift Giving Guide (coming out next month, December issue), Natural Home for this month's six page spread about the book, Fine Homebuilding for the entire back cover, Burlington Free Press, Oregonian, Casa Sugar, Apartment Therapy, Houzz...the list is fabulous --and of course all the talented people behind these amazing organizations and publications! I could go on and on--like the Oscars -- but I hope you all know who you are and how much your support means to me. 
So without further ado, I want to give away a copy of my new hardcover book, Salvage Secrets, published by W.W. Norton (retail value $39.99).  Please post a comment in this post and tell me what is your favorite thing about salvage -- DIY projects, pictures of interior design ideas, places to go, salvage professionals, retro, country, whatever... I want to know what you want to see in my blog :)   Hope you follow me as well. The contest will end on November 15th.  I will have a third party make a list of the names from the comments and then draw a name. Within 3 days I'll list the winner and contact them. (Please stay positive and do not add any commerical links.) I really appreciate your support of my new blog. I look forward to reading your comments!

Thank you everyone! Can't what to hear what your favorite thing is about salvage.

Hoot! Hoot! Owls Everywhere!



Picked up this guy at an antique shop sale yesterday.

I love seeing Owls everywhere in design these days and it's hard to resist them! Yesterday, at Lang Farm Antique Center, I didn't hold back-- I bought this sea shell owl cutie. I fear it's like potato chips -- I can't just have one. :) Check out the Owl List on Tumblr and add your very own wide eyed fella.

Other finds that day...Vintage Frye Boots (another problem I have), a retro butterfly pillow. My gal pal, Julie got an amazing cheese basket for above her fireplace. 

Here's what my friend, Julie, did with the Cheese Basket she bought. So Cool. 

Talented People I Know...Starting with Shannon Quimby!

I was visiting the day these salvaged gates became her headboard! One of the many creative salvaged DIY projects on her recent blog post.

O.K. if you think I have the salvage bug bad -- then you don't know my friend Shannon Quimby -- she has a serious fever! This woman is not only my BFF, she is so talented it is scary. A designer for HGTV, a host on a Monday morning news show, a contributor to the Oregonian, a stylist, the R.E.X. project, and now a furniture designer for Endurawood. What's most of it about -- Salvage and DIY! Love it. She has finally started blogging again on her website www.shannonquimby.com and has posted some really fun projects. Hope you enjoy Shannon's creativity as much as I do.  (Her home is also in my book, Salvage Secrets!)
My Best,
Joanne

Trying to keep Shannon serious during the photo shoot for my book :) 
P.S. All the brick in her fireplace is salvaged! 

Happy Halloween -- Vintage and Salvaged Style!

My Attempt at a Retro Vintage Fabric Pumpkin Decoupage Project!

I saw that Country Living was having a decoupage pumpkin contest -- so I decided to give it a try with a paper bag and some left-over 1970's vintage fabric I had on hand. Not as cool as theirs, but still fun. You should give it a go and enter!

Great Country Living Halloween Story about Vintage Goodies.

I also love Country Living's story about Vintage Halloween...Lots of great ideas and information about costumes and masks.  Still trying to figure out what I'm going to be...
My Best,
Joanne

Entrance Way On Better Homes and Garden Site Today!

My Front door and entryway chatted about today on Better Homes and Garden Website!

I love when I'm researching salvage design ideas online and come across pictures of my own home. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  Better Homes and Gardens Magazine Online used my front door as a great example of an exterior entryway design -- I'm honored and humbled!  Thanks guys.  They have some other really cool ideas as well.  I can always find something I like on their site -- and I can always find some salvaged material to make it happen!  Big thank you to Karin Lidbeck Brent for doing this fun photo shoot for BH&G. Hi to Amy, Joanna and Jane at BH&G.
My Best,
Joanne

Salvaged Seasons Greetings!

Check out my Unusual Salvage holiday DIY projects for DIY Network! Thank you Susan Teare for taking the great pictures for me.

I know, I know, I just blogged about putting out my fall displays -- but I had to share that my UNIQUE DIY NETWORK wreaths and centerpieces I made for DIY Network are live on their site! I had so much fun making them. This is truly my passion -- I hope I can continue to make many more fun projects for them. The DIY Network site has the step-by-step info for each one of these pieces so you can make them yourself! Just click on the captions for each picture and you'll get to the instructions. Have fun.  I'd love to know your unusual wreath ideas.
My Best,
Joanne

Made from Salvaged Metal -- An amazing Candle Centerpiece!

A Christmas Tree centerpiece made with a tomato cage!

This one was really fun to make! A wreath out of salvaged picket fence pieces!

Left over chicken wire from my daughter's coop! The feathers from a feather duster :)

Left over electrical wire -- I'm sure you all have a bin full of it!

Someday I'll have a cottage that I can put my salvaged bicycled rim wreath on. For now... it looks great on my pantry door!

FALL COLORS! Oranges, Browns and Greens

Love bring the outdoors in! Fall Leaves, one of my favorite easy decorating ideas!

I just put up some of my fall displays, using nature's decor, local artists and my vintage pieces, including a Native American quilt I use as a wall hanging! I posted them on my HOUZZ site. Enjoy!
My Best,
Joanne

Reclaimed Space Changes the Look of Prefab Homes!

One Example of the Amazing Reclaimed Space PreFab Homes!

Love the article on Inhabitat.com Blog  by Jessica Dailey, about the company in Austin, Texas, Reclaimed Space. These prefab homes are made out of all salvage material -- heart be still!  I need to get there and check them out! You can order one and they'll send it along.  The pictures are amazing on how creative they get with Salvaged materials in the kitchen, bathroom, walls, ceilings and floors! LOVE IT!

My Best,
Joanne

DIY Quilt Squares Pillows A Weekend Craft Project



Easy DIY Quilt Square Pillows with a Unique Twist.

I love rainy cool days on the weekend! I put a fire in the wood stove and think about all the craft projects I could do. Last weekend, during my talk at the Champlain Valley Antique Fair, I stopped at a booth and picked up a pile of vintage quilt squares. With an old cotton painters tarp that was sitting around from another project, I decided it was time to make pillow covers for my king size bed pillows.  Have fun with your own pillows!

My Best,
Joanne

Cut the painters tarp to fit over the pillows (use a pillow case or the pillow itself as a template).

Place the Quilt Square toward one corner -- make sure to leave enough from for the seam and edge.

Sew on the Quilt square in a zig-zag pattern with bold colored thread. Before you sew the back and front together, add your creative stitching. I just used lines in a zig-zag pattern.

Right side to right side, sew front and back together, leaving an opening to stuff pillow in. Adjust pillow to form to all sides and corners with your hand and then hand stitch the opening to finish.

Thank you Oregonian and Oregon Live for Great Articles About Salvage!

So Fun to Shoot Nancy's House in Portland for the Book! Anne from Arciform, the designer, brought us here! Thank you Nancy and Anne for opening up both your homes! One of the shots in the book of Nancy's house. Love the Vintage Sideboard used as a Vanity, the Antique Lighting and the Fun Blue and Green Tiling.

I hope you get a chance to check out both articles in today's Oregonian!  Hello Portland -- one of my favorite cities ever -- I miss you.  Thankfully my dear friends and twin sister live there so I can visit often.  A BIG thank you to Amy for doing such a nice job on both stories! Don't forget to read the one that features Nancy's house --new twist on salvage-- which is also featured in my book. Some great salvage interior design ideas that we loved using -- thank you Nancy and Anne from Arciform. 

My Best,

Joanne

Joanne Palmisano, 'Salvage Secrets' author, shares strategies for Portland Article Here!

Published: Saturday, October 15, 2011, 9:29 AM

Articles by Amy Mason Doan

The Oregonian

Barbara Streisand, More Than Just an Amazing Singer



From the Movie A Star is Born! Barbara Rocks in Her Vintage Prairie Shirt!

Barbara Streisand's Design Book!

I have been a fan of Barbara Streisand since I was a kid. So it should be no surprise for my birthday yesterday I wanted to watch A Star is Born with five girlfriends. Besides her amazing singing talent, she can really rock an outfit. A vintage prairie shirt, a dress made out of shawls...plus she has a design book out called, My Passion for Design, with many antiques and vintage pieces. Elle Magazine is coming out October 17th with a great article on Ms. Streisand. She'll be on the cover! As she should be :) 
My Best,
Joanne

Architectural Digest Magazine Puts Salvage Secrets in Their Gift Giving Guide!

One of the Amazing Kitchens from Architectural Digest's Rustic Kitchen Online Slide Show. Lots of Great Salvage Pieces.

I'm thrilled to learn that the upcoming December issue of Architectural Digest Magazine (the definitive design magazine) is putting my book, Salvage Secrets in its' holiday gift giving guide! What an honor...truly. I love their magazine and especially the homes that incorporate exceptional vintage and refurbished pieces. For example their Rustic Kitchens pictures -- you have to check them out! And their latest issue with Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's home that is filled with salvaged and reclaimed wood furniture. I'll keep you posted when the issue comes out! Until then...
My best,
Joanne

Time to Wear My Halloween Bella Buckle!

My Happy Halloween Bella Buckle and Vintage Belt!

Fall is my favorite time of year and to honor it I created a hand stitched pumpkin belt buckle made out of vintage leather and a recycled metal buckle. I love making Bella Buckles, with all my vintage and recycled finds. Tina and I will be selling our Bella Buckles on Saturday, November 19th in Wellesly Marketplace (Massachusetts). Can't make it? We have a few online in our Etsy store!
My Best,
Joanne

Get Ready for the Holidays with Salvaged Reclaimed Wood Tables

I love tables and there's no other time I think about them more than in the fall when Thanksgiving and the holidays are just around the corner.  If you're thinking it's time for a new dining room table you should consider one that uses salvage material. Here are a few places you can get one!
My Best,
Joanne

West Elm Emmerson Dining Table

Vermont Farm Table Company

Olde Good Things Table

Restoration Hardware Round Table

VINTAGE AND ANTIQUE BOTTLES WITH FALL FLOWERS

Travelled to Maine this weekend with my family. What a beautiful drive across Route 2! Not to mention all the incredible antique shops along the way. I picked up a box of old bottles and started my Monday morning off right by creating two displays with the bottles and fall flowers. Happy Monday everyone!
My Best,
Joanne

Bought the whole box of old bottles!

Cleaned them up and added them to my transom window.

Blends in beautifully with the changing leaves outside.

My new welcome display in the entranceway with more of the bottles from the box.

CHECK OUT MY SALVAGED WOOD HEADBOARD AND OTHER DIY HEADBOARD IDEAS!

Headboard I made from Salvage Boards. Step by Step on the DIY NETWORK. Photo by Susan Teare

One of my salvaged wood headboards went live today on DIY Network. Love doing these step-by-step DIY projects for them. Thank you Jackie for the opportunity. Soon my other three headboards I made for them (salvaged PVC piping, an old sail, and picket fence pieces) will be live on their site. I'll keep you posted! I wanted to show you a few other salvaged headboards I love!
My Best,
Joanne

From the blog, The Unpolished Life. Very cool driftwood headboard!

I stayed here! The Portland Ace Hotel. Loved this Room. This Photo was featured on Casa Sugar with 9 other fantastic reclaimed wood headboard ideas.

Saw this salvaged metal headboard on Design Manifest. Is that bed on salvaged pallets? Talk about great recycling!

BURLINGTON FREE PRESS ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS SALVAGED SHELVING PANTRY AND DUTCH DOOR!

Homeowner gets creative with budget recycled shelving for open storage kitchen pantry. Love the vintage butcher block. The homeowner was interviewed about how she found her salvaged material in the article.

Thrilled with the Burlington Free Press article written by Charlotte Albers. Great pictures. This pantry is one of my favorites! It was really fun to style. The homeowner used recycled shelving that used to be used for videos. Perfect size for cans and other goodies.  Thank you Charlotte of Paint Box Garden for such nice words. Thank you Burlington Free Press for running such a large article.
My Best,
Joanne