• Follow us:

Posts Tagged ‘industrial interiors’

What House Will You Build If You Bag the Lottery?

Monday, April 8th, 2019

Fine Furniture Design Art Deco Collection.

There are many factors that affect the odds of a person winning the lottery but, statistically, a person’s chances of hitting the jackpot (picking the right six numbers from a pool of 49 choices) is at 1 in 13,983,816 or, approximately, 1 in 14 million.

 

That’s an awful lot of numbers with just one shot at winning but, hey, what if you really do become a winner, have you ever thought of how you’ll spend your money? Most people think of building their own house but what style do you have in mind?

 

Traditional Style

 

This is the interior design for people who want the classic details in their home. These are the dark, finished woods, different textures, exciting color palettes, and curvy lines. The ornate details include velvet, brocade and silk.

 

An exciting way to dress up your home with traditional style is to add depth, use layers, and to add a sense of dimensionality to whole ensemble. Both rustic and French country styles could fall under this style with the first being focused on stone and wood features while the other uses warmer tones of red, yellow and gold.

 

Modern Style

 

Modern is not an exact term actually but it often refers to a house that has clean lines and a basic color palette. Materials that are commonly used in such a home are metal, steel, and glass.

 

The furnishings in this home are also simple yet sleek. Don’t try looking for clutter here because you won’t find any (well, at least that’s the general notion).

 

Contemporary Style

 

A lot of people interchange modern and contemporary styles. But if you look more closely, you will find a lot of differences.

 

Contemporary interior design, in a nutshell, is a style that’s based on what’s hot right now. Modern design, on the other hand, strictly implements interpretations of the styles beginning from the 20th century.

 

Contemporary design is also more fluid, thus, you can be more creative on this realm. It could include curvy lines in one home whereas the next home could be more simplistic.

 

Scandinavian Style

 

This is the interior design that pays homage to the simplistic approach to life that the Nordic peoples do. The furniture pieces here are simple but all works of art. There is function for each piece, although, they remain aesthetically interesting.

 

A lovely offshoot of this style is the shabby chic style where white and neutral elements are also given emphasis.

 

Minimalist Style

 

This concept is getting more and more popular each year. It has elements of modern interior design with its color palettes being airy and neutral. The furnishings are also streamlined with nothing being excessive or flamboyant.

 

Minimalism can be defined in two words – clean lines.

 

Mid-Century Modern Style

 

If you’d like a throwback sort of look, sometime in the mid-1900s specifically the 50s till the 60s, then you could go nostalgic. Add a fuss-free look with pared down forms, egg-shaped chairs, and organic shapes.

This is a style that can easily complement any house structure.

 

Industrial Style

 

As this style’s name implies, it is a design that’s inspired by warehouses and urban lofts. You will see a lot of unfinished elements. There’s a kind of rawness that gives emphasis to wood, bricks, even the ductwork. Think of metal fixture pendants, high ceilings and old timber and you’re right at home with the industrial style.

 

If you’re feeling up for burst of color somewhere, then you could use abstract art or flamboyant photography to complete the look.

 

Transitional Style

 

This is getting to be more popular each year, too, because it can work for any house. This suits the homeowners who are still unsure about the eventual interior design that they would use for their place.

 

Transitional design could use modern elements like glass or steel while still using plush furnishings. This style also makes use of neutral colors to create a relaxed space that’s inviting and warm.

 

There are other styles that can make you happy when you finally win the lottery. There’s Bohemian, eccentric, Hollywood glam, Art Deco, Victorian, and many more.

 

Just be sure to choose whichever style speaks to you.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on What House Will You Build If You Bag the Lottery?

Urban or Industrial Style – And How to Make It Become You

Monday, May 21st, 2018

Uttermost Living Room Patten Distressed Walnut Console Table 25977

If you fancy using materials such as rough wood, metals, and brick; and if you love the idea of exposed structural elements or even the use of ladders as a bookcase, then you would probably embrace the concept of urban interior design.

Also known as Industrial interior design, this is a style that does not require any cosmetic tricks. Today, we’re aiming the spotlight at this particular style.

Urban Style and Its Humble Beginning

There isn’t a lot of information about the origin of urban interior design. It is assumed that it was developed during the early part of the 20th century. By the time that the second industrial revolution ended, this trend has already captured the world. Decades after, the style became even more globalized.

What spurred all these were the Western European factories which started to close down. They then moved their business to low-cost nations. This resulted in vacant buildings and neglected warehouses.

These plants were suitable for what are now known to be residential conversions. Through the years, cities became quite popular with such renovations. And with the lack of space that is often associated with urban living, it has become a fight-for-living-space of sorts out there. The transformation of the old industrial structures has become the most logical solution.

And with more and more people moving into such buildings, it soon became apparent that they did not even try to conceal the bare walls, large window panes, and the rough cement. As a result, urban interior design or what’s known more popularly as industrial interior design was born.

The Uttermost Accessories Nakul Industrial Wall Clock 06449 has ‘aged’ features which makes it the perfect decorative feature to those bare concrete wall.

Urban Style Elements

Each interior design comes with specific characteristics. For instance, when you want to use the Nordic interior design, you should be prepared to use light colors and just natural materials. The urban interior design is just the opposite.

First, there are rough brick walls. No need to hide them or do cosmetic applications. In many cases, the focus is more on the bare structure even un-plastered walls. These elements create a cozier and warmer ambiance.

Other elements that you can use include wood and concrete floors. Homeowners often pick a concrete floor more than the wooden option, though.

A third option that you can take is to have an open ceiling. This element must also be left bare. Emphasize the concrete columns, beams, and steel girders. If the ventilation pipes are exposed then let them be. You can paint the ceiling black so you can add depth to your surroundings.

A fourth design element that you might want to include are huge steel windows. These can give your space a retro look because of the small panes. What’s great about these is that more natural light can stream in.

Urban interior design is all about having an open space layout. To have visual divisions, you can use wooden screens and cabinets.

Leather seats are also a wonderful addition to an industrial design home. Dark furniture is the best choice while bright-colored pieces are a no-no. Those that show a bit of wear and tear may also be added as are metal lockers and such.

When it comes to décor, be sure to pare down your options. You will not see a lot of plants, pots, and figurines. In this home, less is definitely more.

Steel stairs can also add to the openness of the area. The types that have a simple landing and railings are a wonderful option.

Lastly, you should consider adding industrial lighting since this is a must in any urban style dwelling. You can have the pulley-inspired types or even the scissor accordion lights that you can use on the walls. The beauty of this kind of lighting is that you can fuse contemporary styles with the older structural features.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes, Lighting | Comments Off on Urban or Industrial Style – And How to Make It Become You

Concrete – The Best Theme for 2018?

Wednesday, March 21st, 2018

The Bernhardt Interiors Living Room Cocktail Table is concrete and is ‘texturally’ beautiful.

When you’re asked to consider concrete as a design element in a home, you might become hesitant because this is a material used on pavements and the very foundations of homes. However, more and more interior designers are looking to this material as an awesome way to beautify a home. It actually offers various stylish looks that stand out from the rest.

Sure, concrete could look a bit on the rough side but this ruggedness can also be subdued to appear warmer and even cozy. If you were to learn some guidelines in effectively using concrete as a design element, would you be willing to consider it for your home?

A Great Medium

Concrete can be a great medium especially when you live in a home that’s almost entirely made of wood. Adding concrete would offset the too organized or formal look that wood offers. When choosing concrete, make sure that you pick a supplier that will provide one with the best quality.

For this year, 2018, you might have noticed that the design trends aren’t exactly absolute. In fact, they tend to be polarized as the colors are bold although, aesthetically, the more neutral elements are also still utilized.

Such is the look that is being offered by concrete. It is subtle, it is not as jolting as this year’s Pantone Color of the Year but it is, nevertheless, a stylish element that can give any design element a good fight.

The Industrial Edge

Concrete is synonymous with the industrial interior design. No other element epitomizes the beauty of this style more than this material. Just imagine the old warehouses and industrial buildings from decades ago and you are already conjuring a picture of a concrete-themed home.

Other elements that make the industrial design unique are the reclaimed types of machinery as well as other metallic accent pieces. Add an exposed steel or wooden beam here and there and you’ve just created the basic look for an industrial home.

If you want to know where to begin with the industrial look, then go for concrete floors. These are the natural choice more particularly for homes with rustic exposed wood.

Here, the concrete floor is made cozier by the placement of an area rug. Featured here is the Brentwood Collection from Fine Furniture Design.

Concrete Is Texture

Visual and tactile texture can add amazing amounts of interest into any space. Talking on the level of an interior designer, texture is an element that allows you to feel even when you’re just looking. While you do know the feeling of running your hands over rough or smooth concrete, looking at it is a totally different thing. Using concrete, in a way, is adding interest to a neutral room.

Create contrast with your concrete element. Its primary contrasting element is always wood. Pay attention also to the hues that are used on concrete. Use shades that contrast with the rest of the space.

Use as a Focal Piece

No space works without a focal point or two. Concrete is a heavy element that’s used in design. Technically, it already takes on the majority of the visual weight in any space. This means that the eye of the beholder will automatically be drawn towards the concrete element used.

This only means that concrete is an amazing option for a focal point. Again, imagine a fireplace made of concrete. This is a bold architectural feature in any living room that does not even try hard to be noticed.

A concrete kitchen island also becomes an instant conversation piece. A concrete coffee table, on the other hand, serves as the anchor in a seating zone.

Concrete is not bold, bright or even patterned in its most basic form. It is subtle yet, somehow, it is the ultimate winner in terms of visual attention so you would never go wrong to use this element to design your space.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in 2018 Trends, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Concrete – The Best Theme for 2018?

Lovin’ the Raw Appeal of Industrial Interiors

Friday, October 27th, 2017

Hooker Furniture Home Office Arabella Mirrored Writing Desk

Industrial interior design is all about displaying the raw building materials, it’s about the non-concealment of pipes, wood beams, trusses, rough concrete, and metallic surfaces. It is also being proud of the unfinished look that is offered by this functional yet still stylish design.

What you achieve is a warehouse look of sorts though this can also be polished into a more sophisticated space.

If you have been perusing interior design magazines lately, you would be able to see that there are many designers who are now incorporating the industrial look to their other designs. Many stylish homes now have stainless steel features, vintage-looking furniture pieces, and metal lighting fixtures. If you want to get the look, too, here are some tips –

Expose ‘Em

A signature element of any industrial space is its ducts and pipes. Warehouse apartments are now the in thing to beat. They are everywhere and everyone seems to want to live in one. In fact, old factories and office spaces are being converted into residential living spaces.

Of course, the alteration can be challenging but the homeowners who eventually move into these spaces find great joy with their decision.

All white spaces are the perfect backdrop for exposed pipes. The brightness of those white walls and ceilings provide the needed contrast to the piping system.

Use Metals Everywhere

Apart from the ducts and pipes that remain exposed, another feature of industrial homes is the presence of metal paint on doors or metallic sheets on walls or vice versa. Industrial kitchens look amazing with their glimmering metallic surfaces from the stoves to the refrigerator, even down to the handles of cabinets.

The best way to approach designing with metal is to do it subtly. You could begin with the simple elements such as metal bowls or vases. You can even group these together to form a more dramatic statement.

Metal frames also bring in positive Feng Shui. Find frames that have the same finishes and not contrasting ones.

And Then There’s Wood

Industrial interiors also offer a wonderful vision of wood combined with metal. Earth tones or neutrals are common color schemes for industrial homes. The textural fusion of smooth, shiny metals plus the grainy and earthy look of wood is just an amazing thing to behold. This is the perfect juxtaposition of the raw plus the refined, respectively.

Many even choose glossy metals or chrome accents in their kitchens as well as lighting fixtures. If you began with chrome, then go for chrome throughout. Know how to mix metals and the number one rule is to find a dominant metal to use. While you can still mix cool with warm metal tones, having gold as the dominant hue, then let gold prevail.

Use the Open Concept

Industrial interior design takes the open space concept to a whole new level. The furnishings are the defining pieces for most spaces. Since the pieces are limited, the homeowner has to take time to think of even the tiniest details.

Those who are thinking of renovating to turn their home into an industrial space should create a mood board. Pin as many inspirations as you can on this board before actually embarking on this change.

Pick Industrial Colors

Are there really colors that do not agree with the industrial design?

Typically, the hues that are used are neutral, warm colors because they help bring out warmth into the already cold space. Remember that the ducts and pipes are cool elements so it pays to balance them by putting in lots and lots of brown, taupe, and certain shades of red.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Lovin’ the Raw Appeal of Industrial Interiors

Celebrating the Exquisiteness of Industrial Design

Tuesday, December 13th, 2016

Hooker Furniture Bedroom Studio 7H Slumbr Queen Metal Upholstered Bed

Hooker Furniture Bedroom Studio 7H Slumbr Queen Metal Upholstered Bed

Industrial design is one of those home styles that require you to be brave. It is not common, it displays the building materials which many homeowners try their best to conceal. It is also about adding unfinished and raw design elements to add a different kind of style.

Industrial design is a growing trend. It showcases utilitarian stuff, neutral tones, wooden and metal surfaces. What you achieve at the end of the day is a warehouse look that fuses an industrial feel with some earthy, polished elements.

Don’t get the idea that industrial design is just for unfinished spaces. Many design enthusiasts, these days, even incorporate industrial design to their upscale habitats by showcasing metal light fixtures, stainless steel surface, and vintage-looking furniture pieces. McCreery’s Home Furnishings offers excellent, thoughtfully-designed industrial pieces – http://www.mccreerys.com/itembrowser.aspx?action=attributes&ItemType=Furniture&event=reset&wcsearch=INDUSTRIAL.

Industrial Design Signature Elements

One of the leading signature elements of industrial design are exposed ducts and pipes. Warehouse apartments became quite popular in the past few years that many homeowners followed suit. Even former factories and other industrial spaces have been converted to residences.

Another element of industrial design is wood and its usual partner – metallic surfaces. It’s a small wonder that neutrals and earth tones are the most common color options for such homes. You can find an abundance of metal on staircases, ceilings and windows. Note also the wooden panels on ceilings.

Industrial design also means you have to draw some inspiration from anything that’s unconventional. Mix different rules and looks of interior design. This means it’s normal to find Boho or Mid-Century modern elements inside an industrial modern home.

Check out also the furnishings meant for rugged steam punk or contemporary chic styles. If these don’t tickle your fancy, then pick rustic colors to play safe. Select the color palette that connects your furniture, rugs, lighting and accents.

If your industrial home happens to have brick walls – whether painted or unpainted – cement flooring or wood, then you have practically achieved half of the look that’s required for this style. Rustic elements in industrial design feature a lot of beiges and browns. Remember that your chairs, sofas, tables and accessories would likely be made of raw wood and leather.

Burnt orange is also a typical color.

Industrial furniture pieces rely heavily on unfinished wood, so, if you’re planning on investing in a dining table, end table or a coffee table, it is best to find those made of raw wood. This should help you achieve that genuine industrial look. While the tables can be made of wood, you can also make use of exposed steel legs and such features.

Another trend that’s gaining popularity lately is reinforced concrete in industrial homes. This looks amazing even on furnishings. Just imagine how a concrete table would make your patio come to life.

Industrial chairs and sofas generally have a leather finish. The materials might be similar but the styles of each are unique. You can choose a traditional-looking piece or opt for the low-profile look offered by modern pieces.

If you happen to not like leather, then you can also choose from among the upholstered chairs and sofas. Find tufted seats that are lined with steel nailheads.

Industrial design also uses a lot of rugs. Just shy away from rugs that are too abstract or vibrant; lattices and chevron patterns would also look awkward inside an industrial setting. Instead of these elements, pick something that’s generally dark or faded such as burnt orange, blue, gray or crimson. See also if you could get your hands on a distressed Oriental rug which is also a traditional and ethnic element that’s associated with both Southwestern and industrial designs.

Uttermost Living Room Sherwin Industrial Etagere 24682

Uttermost Living Room Sherwin Industrial Etagere 24682

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »