Industrial Revolution
Learn how to master the industrial style and incorporate it wherever you want.
Soaring ceilings, tall windows, exposed brick—these essentials are found
in many industrial-styled homes.
But at the root of the look is a love for all things old, repurposed and memorably creative, and that is something you can create at home whatever type of dwelling you live in.
In her book, Urban Pioneer: Interiors Inspired by Industrial Design, Sara Emslie demonstrates how to create an amazing home with an industrial feel. You will learn all about what you need to make your home a creative industrial space.
The white walls and tall ceilings open up this dining room, while the deep-red rug provides a nice contrast. Natural wood dining sets fit well in
any style of loft, industrial or chic.
“Many of the classic tools of industry are also the preferred accessories of the urban
pioneer home.”
FOUNDATION
Emslie defines urban pioneering as “championing the best of ex-industrial spaces and the products designed to be used within them to create unique homes with a distinctive aesthetic.”The industrial look includes repurposing warehouses and workspaces into comfortable lofts, and decorating with robust tools of the industry. Some areas will have garages and commercial sites that can be transformed into unique contemporary homes. Find small warehouses or factories that have large windows, beamed walls and tall ceilings, metal staircases and doors, to exude that industrial style you are looking for.
Emslie says, “As urban areas become increasingly built up and developed, finding a space to convert requires creative thinking and an element of compromise.” Decide what you want most in the features of your urban home, and then explore all your options. There are many buildings that you can turn into a beautifully modern home in your own city.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Beyond finding the perfect building for your dream home, you need to know where to look to get vintage pieces to decorate. Emslie advises, “Many of the classic tools of industry are also the preferred accessories of the urban pioneer home.” Look for metal cabinets, vintage stools, old sewing machines and even antique mannequins. Finding these pieces won’t be difficult if you look in the right places. Emslie suggests, “Salvage yards, flea markets and junk shops are all good places to pick up items that can be repurposed.”You may not find exactly what you want in one trip, but if you take your time, you can find treasures that will enhance your industrial look.
PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER
Emslie provides suggestions for industrial-style home decorating: “Velvet, leather and sheepskin will all sit well against a tough industrial aesthetic and are perfect for adding an indulgent dash of luxury to an urban space.” Pairing softer fabrics with the harsher tones of your