Salvaging beauty

The weekly micro-decorating newsletter * Issue 9 of 13, SS24 *
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There's so much beauty in the world, and most of it winds up in the garbage. What to do? We can't save everything, but maybe rescuing a small portion is a way of saying thank you.

I was thinking along these lines on a recent visit to Style Labo, a Montreal vintage shop in Mile End that is filled to the rafters with items that have survived the ever-present danger of being thrown away. The battered surfaces of furniture and objects might seem shocking at first. Surely all of this damage means that these items are no longer fit for use?

Then your eyes adjust, and what registered as flaws just moments before become unique markers of something to be cherished:

My favourite pieces are old letters and numbers. Their magnificence would likely be overlooked if they were still embedded in meaningful contexts. Here, they're free to show off their true dimensions:

Amid all the scarred artifacts, here and there human faces demand attention. A formally-dressed gentleman gives us a wary sidelong glance:

A hatmaker's dummy with faded eyes seems permanently astonished:

His back to a window, a monk looks off into the distance with a melancholy frown:

After a while, these faces affect the appearance of the objects nearby, revealing the human quality of their imperfections. Like us, these things have persisted through the years, showing signs of a sometimes difficult journey.

The perspective shift that happens in shops like this is a gift you bring home, even if you don't buy anything. Those relics in your garage that were scheduled for the dumpster might shine with a new significance. A neglected possession might show its hidden beauty to you for the first time.

From the archives

Looking for more inspiration? Guy with an eye is a fast-growing collection of articles to guide you on your design journey. Here are a few that expand on this week's theme:

• Learn why vintage is better than new to add depth to your collecting impulse.
• Find out how to typographize your interior.
• Tap into the design power of numbers.

Elsewhere

If you don't have a vintage shop nearby, or simply don't have the time to visit one, you can get an overload of antiquities on Instagram. Here are three accounts to follow:

Ransack the Universe
This cornucopia of oddities is worth following for the witty product descriptions alone. It's an all-out celebration of randomness.

Smash Salvage
Desirable finds and a fiercely engaged following mean you need to act fast if you like what you see here. So dive in and discover something.

Williams Design
Their shop in the Junction is one of my regular haunts in Toronto, and this is the next best thing. A great spot for vintage lab equipment and old signage.

Of course, you can also follow Style Labo on Instagram – and they ship worldwide.

May your salvaging be fruitful!