Home: Using Salvaged Materials - Master Bathroom

Using Salvaged Materials: Master Bathroom

We enjoy using salvaged materials, whenever possible, in our home. Our master bathroom has been no exception. As I have mentioned before, last year we were able to salvage materials from an older home that was going to be demolished. Among the many items saved, were a door with an inlaid beveled mirror and some crown molding. 

After stripping many years worth of paint, the door revealed beautiful wood. All it needed was a little cleaning and a bit of finish. I was even able to salvage the original hardware. The brass shined up very well. When cleaning old hardware that has many layers of paint on it, I use an old slow cooker (purchase and used solely for hardware: don't use one you plan to put food in). I place the hardware inside and then fill with soapy water. I leave it on to "cook" over night. In the morning, the paint is usually falling off. All I need to do is give it a good clean with a wire brush. 

Below is a photo of the finished door. Above the door is the salvaged crown molding. 

While not sourced from the same house as the door and crown molding, our shower/tub tiled surround was also created from salvage materials. We had picked up a truck load of leftover tile from a friend's home several years prior. When we replaced to old garden tub originally in our master bathroom, we decided to put in a tiled surround. Instead of purchasing new tile, my husband repurposed the leftover tile. Using a tile saw, he cut the tiles into the sizes needed. Because all of the tiles were neutral colors, everything mixed well together.