BARGAIN HUNTER:Salvage yards are a source of architectural gems that can be reimagined in your home.

The best-priced places are out of town. Vintage leather trunks start from €150 upwards at The Store Yard (057-8680088, thestoreyard.ie) in Kea-Lew Business and Retail Park, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois. A brass and black leather trunk about 1m long is €450.

Mark O'Rourke of Landmark Salvage, Newcastle, Co Dublin (086-8854933, landmarkarchitectural.ie) has fitted pubs such as The Laurels in Clondalkin Village and the Poitín Stil in Rathcoole with recycled brick, floors, timber beams, stained glass and timber worktops and supplied U2 drummer Larry Mullen with flooring and landscaping for his Rathfarnham home. Cast-iron radiators start from €120. A water pump costs €300 and lamp posts start from €300.

Phoenix Salvage (087-3109768, phoenixsalvage.ie), in Kiltoom, Athlone, Co Roscommon, has antique beams from mills and churches, from €30 per foot. They also have flame mahogany furniture including a Georgian bureau for €1,400 and a Victorian bookcase (€1,900).