Repurposing Design Trend Writ Large on the Main Line

Last week, Houzz contributor Becky Dietrich wrote about “Dumpster decorating” — taking discarded pieces of homes or furniture and repurposing them in interesting ways. Take, for example, the above old water cistern that’s become a bar in Newtown Square.

Or these old windows used as room dividers in an Atlanta loft:

In the Greater Philadelphia area, if you keep your eyes on the Free section of Craigslist for “curb alerts,” there’s a plethora discarded items that can be recycled.

Sometimes repurposing is done on a larger scale, as is the case with this Villanova carriage house built in 1907, which is now used as a residence but has traces of its historic purpose throughout — especially when it comes to the scale and design of the doors, two of which are large enough for carriage entrance. Another wooden door just one with between rooms slides along a metal track.

More repurposing: tongue-in-groove ceilings, from which a carriage-washing apparatus is mounted; double-hung windows; and an original hayloft that’s been converted to a master suite. Gallery below the specs.

THE FINE PRINT
Beds: 6
Baths: 3.5
Square feet: 4,338
Acreage: 1.16
Parking: 2-car garage
Price: $1.1 million

• Listing: 363 N Spring Mill Road, Villanova PA [Berkshire Hathaway, Fox & Roach]