I was recently informed of 'UPCYCLING': to reclaim, reuse, recycle; to give old products & materials a new lease on life.
When you can, buy it old or rescued. I slowly replaced all the hardware, doors, fittings & fixtures at The Society inc. with salvaged pieces as well as using them in all my commercial projects.
There are a few great salvaged places in the world:
Keystone, Hudson, NY
Lassco, London
Urban Archaeology, TriBeca, NY
Old Goode Things, Chelsea, NY
Chippendale Restoration, Rozelle, NSW
Terrace House Factory, Ultimo, NSW
-to name a few. Be conscious, be green!
These images are from Terrace House Factory in Ultimo.