Go for salvaged materials

“Salvaged materials can add great depth to a room,” Schneider says. Here, a chalkboard from an old school lends personality to the dining room. “It’s usually covered with kids’ drawings,” says Clements.

The dining room table is made with wood recycled from a bowling alley. Schneider and Clements like to scour industrial-equipment distributors, eBay, and Seattle salvage yards for treasures.