Article from the 2017-10-30, of Isabelle Diekmann
Industrial Style
How to create the trendy industrial style at home
I love life in the big city - the people, the flair and the history behind the buildings. For a long time, I've dreamed of living in a spacious loft. Preferably in one of the old factory buildings in the trendy SoHo district of New York City. How would I decorate the apartment? In an industrial style, obviously. Hardly any other style of living combines minimalism with lived history and untreated beauty as skilfully as industrial chic.
Unfortunately, stylish lofts are real rarities on the housing market and New York is about a seven hours flight across the Atlantic from friends, family and my work, so the dream will probably remain just a dream for now. But: with individual accessories, furniture, lights and some DIY creativity, nothing is stopping me from bringing the hip industrial style into my -and your- home. You can find out how to do this here.
How to create the trendy industrial style in your home:
Industrial Furniture - Selected Pieces with Old World Charm
From the spacious loft to the small apartment in the city or the single-family house in the countryside - with selected pieces of furniture in industrial style, the old world charm can be enjoyed in any environment. Brands like Tolix have specialised in industrial aesthetics.
Offering a range of chairs, locker-style cabinets, side tables and more, all of the designs by the French manufacturer provide that unique industrial flair. Hanging shelves and open cupboards make a bold statement. The perfectionist, clean look would be out of place here.
Must-Have: Industrial Style Lighting
Large metal pendant lamps are indispensable for industrial-style furnishing. Industrial luminaires are also ideal for anyone slowly coming around to the factory chic look. They can easily be combined with other styles - such as the country house style or Scandinavian minimalism - and immediately radiate the organic, lived in feel of old industrial structures.
Our recommendations for you:Tom Dixon. The Company
Tom Dixon's designs are prime examples of unique industrial lights for residential and commercial use. The large brass lampshades look rustic and elegant at the same time - ideal for a modern interpretation of industrial style. Grouped light bulbs and floor lamps made of steel round off the rough look and provide a cosy atmosphere with warm white light.
Material Mix - Opposites Attract
The industrial style relies on contrasts: futuristic and fleeting, elegant and rustic, extravagant and down-to-earth, cool and warm. To create this unique look, simply mix different materials and let steel, concrete, brass and wood meet.
You can already create strong contrasts with small pieces of furniture and home accessories. A rustic wooden chair, a steel shelf, filigree glasses and light bulbs, concrete vases - this is how the characteristic industrial look gradually finds it way into your home.
Upcycling - Turning Old Into New
Upcycling fans watch out: It doesn't always have to be new pieces of furniture - on the contrary. For an authentic industrial look, it's best to combine new and old designs. A used heavy woodentable, various bar stools, robust shelves or an old leather sofa make the casual industrial style perfectly imperfect.
From the factory to your home: Wooden pallets and wine boxes can be converted into a coffee table and side table in no time. A discarded neon sign becomes a trendy eye-catcher on the wall in the living or sleeping area - let your creativity run wild.
Browse flea markets, the Internet or vintage furniture stores and immerse yourself in past times. Here you can often still find treasures from the beginning of the 20th century - the time when the factories in the cities flourished. Small scratches, dents or flaked paint are not flaws, but make the pieces unique and tell a very special story.
Industrial Cosiness - How to Set Warm Accents
In principle, you should choose black, white and grey for an industrial interior. Even heavy materials - such as brass, steel and solid wood - are an absolute must. Single colour tones and soft textiles, into which you can sink, make the industrial style really cosy.
Large armchairs loosen up the rustic factory flair and are an inviting eye-catcher. Decorative cushions in bold colours adorn old leather sofas and light, cream-coloured curtains appear airy and cosy.
The best thing about the industrial style? It does not follow any fixed rules, it is very easy to implement and can easily be combined with other living styles. A discarded wardrobe here, a working lamp and a cosy leather armchair there - and you will bring the characteristic factory chic into your four walls.
Have fun trying it out!
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