Altering the Definition of Beauty
By Hend Seif El Din
If possible, opt for an apartment or house that is yet to be finished. Leaving some walls and/or surfaces unfinished is key to industrial design, and will only add flair to your space. Consider directly painting over a brick wall, keeping its texture alive. Also add some rough metal elements, think: vintage, railroad, recycled and reused. If your place comes with ceiling beams, why not leave them exposed? The same applies to steel surfaces.
Note that–in most cases–this trend is very closely linked with minimalism. In other words, do not purchase too many objects, to avoid ending up with a cluttered room. With an industrial-designed room, exposed elements and attention to detail are key, laced with enough space for each item to stand alone.
Think: rough texture. Steel structures, steel columns, concrete, and exposed bricks are vital elements. You do not, however, want to overdo it. So feel free to leave one or two walls exposed, while you paint the others. With respect to the latter, painted walls truly work with large wall art. When it comes to flooring, take a risk and go with polished concrete and/or stone or wood finishes; nothing that looks to shiny.
When it comes to furniture, opt for pieces that combine unpolished steel and wood. Add color by incorporating colorful tabletop accents, throw pillows, and/or vintage posters. With respect to color, try to focus on one or two hues, to avoid looking gaudy. Brick red is an excellent choice and works wonders when set against warm, neutral tones like beige or light gray. Another color option is classic white, which–when mixed with gray hues–creates a fresh and clean atmosphere.
Lighting is where you can really get creative. Choose from industrial-inspired designs, recycled chandeliers, or take it up a notch with a more eclectic, colorful pendant lamp. Remember, there’s no official set of guidelines with respect to industrial design…as long as you incorporate some of the key elements, feel free to add your own twists and tweaks to your living space.
