outdoors

O U TD O O R LIV IN G

Reclamation Project

Doug Morris believes in adaptive reuse, the concept of adapting old things for

new purposes. “Everything has another use,” he says. “It’s just a matter of what it’s

going to be in its next life.” Originally, the cinder blocks supporting the weight of

the counter were part of a chim ney at the back of his home. Decorative painting

gave them a pleasing gray patina. The fir countertops were shelves in Doug’s

bakery. “The shelves were too nice to discard,” Doug says.

Note: N ever use

pressure-treated w ood as a dining o r food-preparation surface

. ®

For buying information seepage 236.

BU D G ET BREAKDOW N

A well-appointed outdoor kitchen

island may cost several thousand

dollars. By reusing old materials

and buying accessories at discount

stores, Doug created one for a

small fraction of that cost.

Pillar blocks.

..................................

$ 0

Paint for blocks.

.........................

$55

W ood counter.

............................

$ 0

Chairs (

4

) ..................................

$ 16 0

Umbrella and stand.

...............

$12 9

Stone dust pavem ent.

.........

$ 2 8 0

104 MAY 2009 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS