Home Decor from Reclaimed Items

Local artisans keep used goods out of the landfills by turning reclaimed materials into beautiful pieces for the home.

1. Woodworker Scott Bradford, manager of the recycling center in Peterborough, New Hampshire, salvages boards, discarded hardware, and other materials to create one-of-a-kind birdhouses like this one ($115). Available at New England Everyday Goods, Peterborough, NH. 603-924-0498; newenglandeverydaygoods.com

2. The artisans at Vermont Woods Studios use doors, floorboards, and siding from antique New England barns to craft made-to-order benches ($1,205 and up). Vernon, VT. 802-579-1302; vermontwoodsstudios.com

3. The use of barn stars as external decoration dates back to the 1700s; today furniture maker Stephen Willette constructs them from reclaimed barn boards in small ($35) and large ($85) sizes. (For more on Stephen Willette, see “Artisan Profile,” right.) Milford, NH. 603-801-5546; stephenwillette.com

4. Laurie Lepine, founder of Zinc Studio Design (see her blog at: zincdesign.wordpress.com), incorporates reclaimed wrought-iron fragments into a collection of striking lamps. (The one pictured here is $285.) Available at Bowerbird & Friends, Peterborough, NH. 603-924-2550; bowerbirdandfriends.com

5. Vintage wool sweaters find new purpose in cheerful handmade quilts ($158 each). Snug as a Bug, Morrisville, VT. 802-888-3066; snugbugshop.com

6. Art meets service in these bowl sculptures (call for pricing) by Stephen C. Staples. Made from centuries-old beams, they feature original mortises and pegs. Creative Art Furniture, Plainville, MA. 508-695-1155; staplescabinetmakers.com

Christie Matheson

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