Q+A with Don Purdy on reclaimed materials in his Kennebunk home

Don Purdy’s home in Kennebunkport brings new flair to the concept of reusing and recycling. Old balustrades and meat scales have become lamps, discarded ladders have morphed into towel racks, an oyster-shucking station is now a bar, and a 200-year-old granite well cap was repurposed into an outdoor sculpture. 

Q: WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO REUSE OLD ITEMS?

A: I lived in the Arctic on a remote island for one year and on a small, two-acre island in the Bahamas for years, both places where conservation of resources is a must. These life experiences made me conscious about waste and efficiency. 

Q: WHERE/HOW DID YOU FIND THE REUSED PIECES?

A: I spent two months scoping out every salvage store in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE FEATURES OF THE HOME?

A: The unique elements like the lighting fixtures, the secret doors to the basement, and the use of reclaimed wood and brick throughout. The goal was to showcase the beauty of naturally aged woods along with brick to give a unique and classic look.

Q: WHAT WERE YOUR OVERALL GOALS FOR THE HOME?

A: I wanted a casual house that was small, with no wasted space and an open-concept living/dining/kitchen. We also use gas for the HVAC, stove, dryer, and hot water, and we have gone as organic as possible with the landscaping.

Q: ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?

A: We plan to line the roof of the barn with solar panels with the hope of getting to net zero.