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Use fragments from long ago to fix your bedroom’s
problems and add old-world character
—all just for pennies.
 Do you ever feel like your bedroom isn’t living up to its potential? That you would have the makings of a romantic country getaway—if only you could fix that one fatal flaw? Well, here comes Country Almanac to the rescue! You told us your top bedroom decorating dilemmas, and we solved them. Best of all, it was as simple as a trip to the salvage yard!
Shopping salvage is an inexpensive way to decorate your home; it also couldn’t be easier. All you need is an open mind and a creative eye. As the old saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
If you are looking for a piece to fit a specific area, take measurements before you go, and take along a tape measure.
 If not, try to be flexible and look beyond a piece’s intended purpose. That old wooden window frame, for example, will certainly look lovely gracing your window—but it will also be eye-catching on a wall “framing” a picture, or hanging from the ceiling as a room divider or adding interest on the bureau.
Practically anything can be considered salvage—from architectural moldings, chair rails and medallions to old wooden beams. All these things—individually or grouped together—can give a room an old-world sensibility instantly.
Luckily, these architectural accents are easier to find than you might think. Believe it or not, the best place to start is right in your neighborhood! Take a stroll on garbage pick-up day and you’ll be amazed at the wonderful things people are throwing out—right under your very own nose!
 Once you get your treasures home, you may need to clean them up a bit. Sandpaper and paint are any salvage shopper’s secret weapons. After your pieces are to your liking, it is time to set them up in the bedroom. Deciding where things go can actually be the hardest part of the whole process. Remember, again, to keep an open mind: That piece of molding you brought home to fit over the doorway may actually be wide enough to solve that shelving crisis above your bed.
 The trick is to insure that each piece retain its unique identity, while fitting in with the mood of the room. If your look is cottage, paint your finds in soft pastels. Have an early-American look? Look for pieces in pewter and brass. It’s simple, and fun. Just take a look at our solutions on these pages, and you’re sure to come up with some of your own.
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