Insitu Manchester is headed up by owner Laurence Green and Manager Emily Thomas, who have exhibited at Salvo Fair for many years. This week, Emily, Jo and Faye who are part of the team of eight women at Insitu answer our Hats Off to Women questions. Insitu Manchester are:
Laurence Green - Owner
Emily Thomas - Manager
Sarah Baines - Lighting Restoration
Faye Thorley - Interior Architect
Jo Stevenson- Marketing
Pat Janusz- Cleaning/Conservation
Callum Lamb - Shop Assistant
Joanna Keen- Shop Assistant
Trisha Rose- Accounts
 
Can you explain what first made you interested in using salvaged and reclaimed materials?
 
Emily: I've always been interested in interior design and found I was drawn to designs which incorporated salvaged materials.
 
Faye: There is often an element of sentimentalism with older materials and knowing that each object that passes through our door has it's own story; I find quite an endearing quality in salvaged goods. I first started to use reclaimed materials around 5 years ago whilst creating an interior design concept for a client. I usually gravitate towards the more unusual objects and often-understated materials when considering material spec's on a project. Having too much to choose from is generally the problem!
 
Jo: I've always liked the idea of salvage from a sustainability point of view, and sharing how beautiful things can be born without having a huge impact on the environment.
 
Did any people or places have a particular influence on your love of salvage materials?
 
Faye: I remember being very taken back when I first walked into Insitu and did not quite know where to start. It is nice to see the same reaction with other people's who first drop in.
The flea markets and vintage shops in Berlin are also a great source of inspiration where I have seen some weird and wonderful objects over the last 10 years - this also ignited my love for salvage.
 
Emily: I began at Insitu with an interest in salvage and have grown to love it. The more I learn the more I want to know and Laurence, Insitu's owner, has been a big part of that. He has talked passionately about architectural details, interesting things he finds and projects Insitu has been involved with, his enthusiasm is infectious.
 
What sort of salvaged items are you most enthusiastic about?
 
Emily: It's always interesting to find great pieces of craftsmanship, one-offs, maybe made by a hobbyist. You see some really unusual things from hobbyists.
 
Faye: I would probably say reclaimed wood and lighting. Apart from the regular fear of having a chandelier or two drop on your head, lighting plays a huge part in how we feel and move around a space. I feel that Insitu wouldn't be the same without all of its beautiful decorative lighting and it's ability to twinkle and lure you in on a notorious wet Mancunian day.
 
Some of the solid wood pieces we are in possession of are outstanding. We are in the middle of developing some reclaimed kitchens by utilising some old school lab top tables for the door and drawer fronts. My face lit up when they came back from the joiners, they look truly stunning.
 
Jo: Any kinds of unusual furniture pieces.
 
Has being a woman working with salvaged materials made life easier or more difficult?
 
Faye: It has made life more interesting! We have a solid team, we have a laugh and humour the more 'old school thinkers' shall we say.
 
Emily: I haven't found any barriers… There is a funny assumption that, being a woman working at Insitu, you must either be Laurence's wife or daughter… and with seven women working here, all of us accused of one or the other at some stage, I dread to think what these people must think about our personal lives! But no, we are women, interested in salvage, and here because we are good at our jobs.
 
Highlights or downside of working with or using reclaimed/salvage?
 
Emily: It's hard work, trying to reuse salvage. It is always a labour of love, taking time to find the right thing and getting it to a lovely new home but it always so satisfying when it goes well and we get happy customers sending us pictures of their projects.
 
Jo: The sheer volume of great salvage to choose from is both a highlight and a downside - wonderful to be offered so many things but difficult to have to say no to lots of it.
 
Have you any tips for other women wanting to start a salvage business?
 
Faye: Common sense goes a long way! Have your wits about you and be prepared to meet some very interesting people along the way. Every day is different so you have to be up for variation. You have to be fairly confident dealing with a whole spectrum of individuals and have good product knowledge. I think creativity is an important attribute as you may be able to see potential in something that may not be obvious at first.
 
Would you recommend any study courses or training or do you think hands on experience is the best way to learn?
 
Emily: The team at Insitu have varied backgrounds. Laurence studied Geography, Me - Fine Art, Faye - Interior Architecture, Jo - Journalism and English, Joannna - Textiles, Sarah - fashion and Textile Retailing, Callum Philosophy and Maths, Trish - Accounting and Pat ran pubs for years! I don't think there is a set way to study salvage. With us its all built from an interest or hobby into a vocation.
 
Faye: Hand's on all of the way. I feel that any hands on experience is invaluable no matter what career you choose to do. Due to the nature of this industry, I don't think they would fit it all into books!
 
How do you feel about the eco-friendly reuse side of salvage with the idea of making the planet a greener place?
 
Jo: For me this is the best thing about it and working within an industry that contributes to a greener planet feels great!
 
Faye: Sustainability is extremely important aspect to our future and something that we should all consider when choosing materials. I am an advocate for the reuse of materials and feel that breathing new life into existing objects is a beneficial step to helping to our planet. We live in such a disposable society, yet with a little bit of creativity and consideration you could reuse salvaged items that fundamentally stand the test of time and look fantastic.
 
Emily: Customers always struggle with balancing new and reproduction with sourcing reclaimed and salvage.
 
Yes, a table from us probably will be more expensive than Ikea, but a lot more reasonable than modern design pieces of the same quality. It's a false economy. Buy cheap, buy twice and waste more! Buying salvage means you get good quality, sturdy furniture, flooring doors, radiators…. Whatever it is, it may be a little more expensive to begin with but you save in the long run and you are recycling.
 
Why do you think women in particular love reuse, reclaim and architectural salvage?
 
Emily: I don't think it is particularly just women who reuse and reclaim. I'm not sure what it is that gets a person excited to re-use architectural salvage. For me I find warmth and character in salvage that makes you feel connected to the past. Like buying hand made furniture, you feel a connection to the maker.
 
How do you feel about upcycling with reclaimed and antique?
 
Emily: At Insitu we try to promote bringing out the original beauty of salvage. Upcycling is great when done well. If something that would otherwise be scrapped can find new life, that's great. It's a shame when objects are changed or distressed for fashion purposes, such as beautiful wood getting coated in thick chalk paint… I'm not a fan, but really as long as the process is reversible, I think its fine. Paint away.
 
Jo: We recently had a camel's saddle in the shop, which was turned upright with pots added in the saddle slots to make lovely garden feature - this kind of upcycling is great!
 
Have you used salvaged or reclaimed items in your own home?
 
Emily: Yes! Absolutely. We all have. I'm particularly proud of my maple floor, reclaimed from a working men's club in Oldham. There are some lovely pieces of bird's eye in there. Most of our furniture and lighting is vintage and accessories have been picked up over the years in auctions and fairs. My flat was only built in the 90's but now it has soul!
 
Faye: I live on a house boat which generally lends itself to more sturdy of salvaged materials. Due to lack of space I have to be pretty selective in what I bring home, however I have a few pendant lights and unusual objects such as some original mid-century geometric textured tiles and some rare German ceramics. I am in the process of redesigning the boat and will be implementing reclaimed materials wherever possible, such the flooring, reclaimed kitchen tops, wall coverings and anything else I can squeeze into the 45ft space! I am a sucker for the Bauhaus movement and Post War modernism so whenever any 1930 - 50's items come in I generally pounce.
 
Trish is currently restoring a house in France, which is a mammoth task but it's coming together well.
 
Do you personally help promote decorative antiques and architectural salvage elements and design ideas using salvage?
 
Emily: Social media is a great tool for sharing ideas of how to use salvage, there's a great online community amongst salvage dealers.
 
Faye: It is nice to work with people in the design capacity by inspiring them and helping them imagine what can be achieved when using salvaged materials - It can be a real eye opener for some. I have noticed a shift in people's attitude towards the industry as they seem more forthcoming about re-using older materials. I think the financial climate may have played a part in this, whereby individuals want something that can offer durability and longevity. Also 'Industrial' themed interiors are prevalent in the larger bar and restaurant groups therefore consumers are seeing widespread use of these materials and are using them as a source of inspiration for their homes.
 
What do you do in your spare time? How you relax and unwind, fav places to visit or holiday?
 
Emily: We are all quite active and love being outdoors, walking and cycling but being in central Manchester, we can also keep a finger on the pulse of the cities cultural scene. One of our team will always be present at gallery and museum exhibition openings and bar launches as we are often involved with the fit outs of bars and restaurants.
 
Jo: I like to meditate under a tree (and feel glad it was not turned into another boring new table)
 
Faye: I like to go sailing on the boat when the weather is nice and taking my dogs out into the countryside at any opportunity. I love European cities and like to embrace different cultures when I go away. I was recently in Milan for the Furniture and Design fair 'Salone Del Mobile', it was great to see the forefront of furniture design and what existing and immerging designers are capable of. Not so much salvage unfortunately!
 
Emily Thomas, Faye Thorley, Jo Stevenson, Insitu Manchester, 252 Chester Road, Hulme, Manchester M15 4EX. Tel: 0161 839 5525
 
The Salvo Fair will be held on 18-19 June at Fawley Hill in Henley-on-Thames with Trade Day on Friday 17th June. If you would like to be involved in 'Hats off to Women' answer the same questions and send your story and photos to Salvo.