Last year some friends and I had a grand plan to go to La Braderie, the biggest flea market in Europe. As often happens, life got in the way and it never happened.

Now, with the imminent start of our extension, I am really wishing we had gone – particularly after seeing this incredible kitchen – full of La Braderie finds:

(Images: Pascal Francois, Elle Decoration)

The salvage pieces range from factory floor tiles, used as a splashback, and a huge old fishmonger’s fridge which serves as the main island in the kitchen.

Now, all I need to do to recreate the other finer pieces of this kitchen, is learn how to make a dining table out of two wooden trestles and fix a zinc plate onto a desk!

You know I would actually put my sewing class on hold if I thought there was a DIY class I could attend, that could teach me such things, and I’m pretty sure I’m not alone – are you listening Adult Education?