Industrial revolution
Love the industrial look but not sure how to achieve it? LESLEY TAYLOR says, with a little bit of hard graft, anything is possible…
Once upon a time, the thought of anything inspired by a working factory or sprawling warehouse taking centre stage in home décor may have filled homeowners with dread. But as industry moved on – and out – developers saw an opportunity to give these now-empty factories and warehouses a new purpose, transforming them into living spaces. But not just any old living space, ones that pay homage to their industrial past. As they did, they kick-started the industrial chic movement, and it’s a trend that shows no signs of slowing.
RAW MATERIALS
Industrial chic celebrates the rawness of the working buildings that inspired the movement. No attempt is made to soften edges or disguise the structure’s bare bones. Instead, they are embraced. Think exposed brickwork and concrete floors. If you haven’t bought a home in a disused factory, you may think stripping the plaster off your walls and digging up the floorboards to replace with concrete is counter-intuitive. So don’t. Go for the faux option instead. The interiors market offers a wealth of wallpapers and wall tiles boasting brick-effect patterns. And, thanks to leaps in design and technology, no-one need ever know they are not the real deal. The same goes for flooring. Concrete-effect tiles are an ideal way to achieve the look. What’s more, not only do they look amazing, they are also easy to maintain to ensure they stay looking great for longer.
SHELVE IT
If you want to ease yourself in to the industrial look, one of the first things you could play around with is open shelving. Gone are a multitude of cupboards used to hide away all manner of clutter. In their place are shelves, and lots of them. They are especially effective in the kitchen. Replace your wall cupboards with some open shelving and not only will you create more flow throughout the room, your crockery, pans and cooking pots serve not just a practical purpose but a decorative one too. It also works fabulously in the bathroom. Use a chunky wooden shelf on a metal bracket to display your apothecary jars and other essential knick knacks. If you want to take it a step further, the bedroom is another setting in which to experiment. Get rid of your old wardrobe and instead go for a full-on clothes rail. Again, it makes essentials – in this case your clothes – play a central role when it comes to the design of your home.
CHARACTER
With a look inspired by industry, adding character is vital. From furniture to finishing touches, it’s important to bring in pieces with real heart to complement the edginess. A great way to achieve this is through salvaged or upcycled furnishings, where – much like the old warehouses and factories that inspire the trend – pre-loved pieces are given a second chance. Scour antique fairs, furniture reclamation yards and charity shops to find furnishings to fall in love with. Look around online for pieces that have been given another lease of life by being transformed into something entirely new – old wire letter trays that have been turned into shelves, former sideboards that are now drinks cabinets or school chairs that have been transformed into bar stools. And don’t stress about finding pristine pieces – a few scratches and imperfections will only add to their appeal. The same can be said for matching items; forget the uniform look and mix it up with complementary pieces. ■ Lesley Taylor is the author of 10 interior design books and has appeared on a range of network TV shows, including This Morning, giving inspirational advice on home styling. For more information on her work, head to lesleytaylor.co.uk