Decorating with Architectural Salvage

I love to add vintage touches to my decorating! One of my favorite ways is to use architectural salvage in my decorating!

Gathering Room Mantel

For years, I had the window hanging above the fireplace.  The window was originally in the parsonage of the Bement United Methodist Church.  When it was replaced with a newer style window it was given to me by a friend.

The window is currently waiting to be hung in the Florida house.   The long piece in the center of the display is now on top of my cabinet in the office in Florida.

Adding Garden Style Touches to the Shabby Chic Home Office

Too Long to Fit Where I Want it to Fit

These are some of the pieces I found in the barn.  Well, the helpers found in the barn.  You can read more about the adventure here 

The piece of gingerbread in the front was a bit smaller than the one it is leaning on.  I did let my cousin’s granddaughter give it a new home.  I think she is going to make a headboard out of it! I can’t wait to see it!  She did amazing things with the barnwood she bought.  You can read more about her barnwood walls here:

The longer linear one was approximately 88 inches long.  I didn’t measure it before proceeding with my project.  I didn’t get a picture of it either.  Since I was concerned that it was too long to fit in the van with everything else that I needed to take to Florida, I called a contractor friend.  He was able to quickly turn the long piece into three pieces for me!  The two end pieces resemble brackets when placed on either side of the framed print.

 

Now the center piece looks like angel wings , doesn’t it?

My contractor friend was amazed that this task was so simple!  He thought it would be more complicated!

I plan to leave the mantel decorated with the herb print and the two pieces of gingerbread.  I will take them to Florida the next time I go back to Illinois.  The long piece will go back with me on this trip.  I haven’t figured out where to put it yet!

Uses for Small Pieces of Architectural Salvage

I used a small piece to hold the sign .

I had an artist turn some of the barn tin and an old board into a piece of wall art.  She did a great job, didn’t she?

I added a small decorative piece of gingerbread to the back of this arrangement.  I turned the piece so that it looks like wings, I think!

After the holidays were over, I simplified the vignette!

One Last Example

A porch post serves as a pedestal for this winter silk arrangement.  If you are interested in learning how to make an wire armature to help secure your floral arrangements, the details are here:

Updated February 1, 2021

My cousin’s granddaughter sent me a picture of the piece of gingerbread that she turned into a headboard!  Doesn’t it look great!