Industrial 101

Industrial style reclaims utilitarian items used in factories, schools, offices and workshops. Pieces from the Late Victorian era through to the '60s can be considered vintage industrial, but perhaps the time frame with the most recognized pieces is 1900-1950.

Electric Ivanhoe TM Dino Pendant - LOLren

In this style, furnishings are re-purposed or new creations built from salvaged pieces. In the enthusiastic words of the people at theindustrialfurniture.com website, "What was once a support for a factory machine is now a table base. What was destined for the scrap yard is now a celebrated rare find that has become a centerpiece for our everyday. How great is it to not only reuse an item....but [to] also honor [its] craftsmanship, design, and quality." Industrial pieces were designed to do their jobs well and their charm lies largely in their straightforwardness.

Kirk Albert Vintage Furnishings - honeykennedy

Unexpected combinations spot-lighting a mix of bright/drab colours, smooth/rough textures or juxtaposed angular shapes are common in Industrial Style. The goal, in this case, isn't to create a harmoniously tied together space but to create a more experimental, visually interesting and playful one.

Mig Industrial Pendant acetylene tank caps - LOLren

Some popular materials used in the style are metal, brick, stone, glass, aged wood and weathered fabrics. Rust spots on metal, chipped paint on worn wood and uneven stone surfaces are celebrated, as they show the authenticity and worn beauty of the pieces. In fact, texture itself is intrinsic to industrial style, "which is why aged pieces of furniture work so well, as wear and tear, knocks and bumps and even flaking paint can add character [homelife.com.au]."

The "strong, rugged presence and scale [judyfrankelantiques.com]" of industrial items are often particularly suited for lofts or open-concept places that may have, in fact, been factories or workshops in their previous incarnations! Uncrowded settings with large walls of windows, raw materials, brickwork and high ceilings do work particularly well for this style.

from homelfe.com.au

On the other hand, using a soft neutral palette can make the style much more subtle. The picture at left shows the effect of a neutral palette. It also shows how the use of fabric and feminine detail softens the rough edges of industrial style.

Meyer Davis Studio Inc. - Copake Lakehouse

Using unexpected colours or mixing in natural elements can also make the look warmer. I see both of these suggestions incorporated in the room at right by Meyer Davis Studio. Other examples can be found in the catalogue of HKLiving. Keeping things minimal and using a restrained mix of vintage, as in the room from Maison Couturier below, is also quite effective.

Maison Couturier

These examples show that mixing industrial pieces into eclectic interiors works very well. I also think that showcasing a few industrial pieces in a largely modern or classic space can add character and lift it toward the extraordinary.

Other Related Styles:

• Urban Rustic    
• Factory 
• Loft
• Victorian Gothic
• Steampunk

References:

1. honeykennedy flickr photostream
2. LOLren flickr photostream: Lighting
3. homelife.com.au Industrial style interior design
4. Decor8 Vintage Industrial Decorating Tips + HKLiving
5. Photos of Maison Courturier and Copake Lakehouse found on Vintage Industrial Style-Inside Man-Apartment Therapy.com

Industrial Style Furnishings

Some Popular Items

(found at Metropolis Living in Toronto http://www.metropolis-living.com, 2989 Dundas St. W.)

 

Stools, both adjustable and stationary, are sought after items. 
Film shipping canisters and other metal boxes are good industrial accessories. Old flags are often repurposed as 
window drapery, table clothes etc.

Drafting items are also quite lovely & popular. Tables come in many sizes, in different combination of wood and metal and with mechanisms that can work in highly individual ways!

Factory carts and printers' cabinets are two types  of unique storage options offered by Industrial style. Another storage alternative is to use one of the re-purposed dental/medical cabinets from the time. Add some apothecary items as accessories and voila!

Some other cool accessories include dress forms and wooden weights.



Letters are very popular. They come in many different sizes. Some, called channel letters, have hollow channels and were equipped with light bulbs. Tin letters are very light whereas porcelain letters can get heavy.

I personally love the ladders that come in many stages of wear and paint colouration. Postal bags and metal toys make other cool finds.

Finally, industrial light fixtures, like the classic holophane ones pictured here, are a prime example of beauty in utility.