An antique bureau gets repurposed as a bathroom vanity.

I seem to be using the word ‘repurpose’ more than ever. When I talk with clients about their goals for a home, a room, or a piece of furniture and I use the word ‘repurpose’, I see a sense of relief come over their face. They seem to relax knowing that I understand the values they want the project to be based upon.
And I do. We’re all looking for increased value right now. We want more usefulness, flexibility and longevity out of our renovation and decorating investments.
Here are just a few of the many projects we’re proposing and working on right now that are underpinned with this value:
- The renovation of a lower level walkout into a luxury master suite. (I’m convinced it can be done, thanks to a custom-designed millwork package that will transform the space into several adjoining French-spirited salons.)
- A whole house renovation prompted by the generous passing of the home from one generation to the next.
- Repurposing a houseful of antique upholstered furniture acquired in the sale of the home. We’re helping a young couple transform these wonderful antiques and then blending them with updated furnishings for a fresh, youthful interior grounded in the classics.
- One of my favorite project types – the transformation of a spare bedroom into a master bath.
- The renovation of a once-third floor apartment into living, sleeping and bathing quarters for three sisters. A special place for them, for years to come. (Complete with the adaptation of antique European commodes into bathroom vanities.)
One of the easiest ways to catch the repurposing spirit is to re-imagine a find or a piece you already own. To inspire you, here are a few snaps from the idea files:

1. Reuse an antique bureau as a bathroom vanity by placing a vessel sink on top, or a top mount sink onto an antique commode with a marble top already in place.

2. Paint and reupholster wicker chairs from the front porch and repurpose them as captains’ chairs at the holiday dining table, like this interior designed by Vincente Wolf.

A wicker chair from the front porch gets repurposed in the dining room.

3. Add trim to your existing draperies to instantly upgrade a ready-made pair into a custom treatment for your home.

Basic draperies are reused and freshened with new trim.

May they serve useful in whatever form of repurposing you may embark upon…