[Image: Living room of Maria Speake and Adam Hills] In the duo’s living room, a pair of Poul Kjærholm chairs flank a vintage coffee table. On the wall, a brass Warren Platner light fixture is mounted next to the 17th-century Belgian tapestry. Photo by Theo Tennant
Maria Speake, the co-founder of Retrouvius, a London-based interior design firm, has a unique approach to her craft. She describes her philosophy as "elevating the unwanted," a concept that has gained her company a stellar reputation. Retrouvius is known for rescuing and repurposing architectural details, furniture, and objects from derelict buildings and other sources. By transforming these salvaged items in unexpected ways, the firm creates imaginative and emotional interiors.
Retrouvius, founded more than 30 years ago by Maria Speake and her now husband Adam Hills, began as an endeavor to give new life to discarded items. Their design process involves incorporating these rescued pieces into their projects, adding a sense of history and character to the spaces they create. The name Retrouvius is a combination of the French word "retrouvé," meaning "found" or "regained," and the name of the Roman architect Vitruvius, perfectly encapsulating their mission.
"What I love," says Speake, "is the process of trying to save things that other people don't necessarily want and making them into something interesting or unusual." She has showcased her talent by incorporating Art Deco-style terrazzo columns from a disused Liverpool department store into her own home and transforming red leather covers of Victorian-era art portfolios acquired from the British Library into a captivating wall treatment.
Initially, using salvaged items as decor presented a challenge in selling the idea to clients. However, Speake discovered that sharing the story and the narrative behind these materials often captivated the clients. The history and origins of the salvaged pieces played a crucial role in creating a connection with the clients, who were drawn to the uniqueness and character brought by these repurposed elements.
In a conversation with Introspective, Speake shed light on her inspirations, favorite designers, and design periods. She also shared her love for art and her favorite artists. When asked about her favorite design periods and styles, she expressed a preference for medieval and vernacular architecture, appreciating their asymmetry and playfulness.
Speaking of personal style icons, Speake described a mix of Vita Sackville-West, Tilda Swinton, and Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. These figures exude confidence and represent quiet, understated Englishness, which resonates with Speake's personal taste.
Emotionally, Speake holds a deep connection to the Mackintosh Building at Glasgow School of Art, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Despite enduring two devastating fires, the building holds immense importance and brilliance for Speake. She even has a personal altar constructed from fragments of the building, displaying her reverence for its architectural significance.
When it comes to dream projects, Speake believes in embracing opportunities as they come. She acknowledges that projects unfold through a combination of luck and fortuitousness.
One underappreciated design idea that Speake highlights is the importance of considering how things come apart, not just how they are assembled. She emphasizes the need to focus on the future by ensuring that materials can be easily disassembled and reused. Traditional or vernacular building methods that allowed for easy disassembly and relocation should be revisited for sustainable design practices.
Looking back at the humble beginnings of Retrouvius, Speake finds it remarkable that they started the venture while still students. The success they have achieved demonstrates that passion, determination, and a unique approach can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
In conclusion, Retrouvius has made a significant mark in the world of interior design by elevating salvaged decor to new heights. With their creative vision and commitment to sustainability, Maria Speake and Adam Hills have proven that discarded treasures can be transformed into captivating and emotionally rich spaces.
[Image: A vintage brass FIREPLACE SURROUND makes the hearth the focal point of the living room in a London PIED-À-TERRE] [Image: CARLO MOLLINO chairs complement the client]
Left: A vintage brass fireplace surround makes the hearth the focal point of the living room in a London pied-à-terre. A George Nakashima coffee table and a 1972 Tommaso Cimini Daphine floor lamp accompany the 1970s Jorge Zalszupin sofa. Right: CARLO MOLLINO chairs complement the client’s own Italian marble table. Salvaged oak-parquet panels add a graphic touch on walls throughout the space. Photos by Michael Sinclair
