In Praise of Industrial Design: A New Spin on an Old Classic
Interior design enthusiasts were not disappointed by the array of style and fresh designs at the Spring 2015 High Point Market — the world’s best home furnishings show. Gathering inspiration, we took to the showroom floor where we discovered that industrial design is everywhere!
Mixing Materials
One of the most popular trends at High Point was industrial design, but done with a fresh new twist on the classic aesthetic. When you think of industrial, you may think about sparse exposed metals, lightbulbs hanging from a simple cable, or maybe an occasional piece of glass worked into the mix. The new industrial is all about a combination of materials that bring out the best textures and add a surprising warmth to a room—metal with wood, glass, Lucite, or stone were all represented on the showroom floor. These mixed materials added a softness to the industrial vibe, a warmth that came from an emphasis on balance—no overwhelming metal cages, just hints of metallic structure and a healthy dose of oak. Fairfax County can look to pieces like this cool barrel shaped coffee table for inspiration.
Up-Cycling
Turning something old and abandoned into something fun and funky is always a great way to create unique accents in a room. If the showing of up-cycled pieces at High Point was any indication, this year interior designers all over Connecticut will be incorporating up-cycled industrial items into their decorative interiors. Classic garage and junk yard items become renewed and refreshed, like the bar stools made from old pipes and rusty metal bike pedals.
Interesting mechanical objects could be found all over High Point, adding a touch of whimsy and surprise. Oversized alphabet letters, discarded from retro signage, graced walls like giant monograms.
>Finishing Design Touches
As in anything, a room is really made by the details. We noticed that designers at High Point were incorporating industrial elements with surprising artistic flair—when used as a collage material, a small metal object can really make a work of art pop with texture and excitement. What was once a typical 2D art print becomes 3D with the addition of elements like skeleton keys, door handles, and tiny bicycles.
Large chains circled mirrors on tables, creating a setting for displaying treasured objects or possibly candles. Interior designers in Hartford country could easily recreate a look similar to this fun center piece.
Metal boxes—either stacked to form a side table or individually used to hold items on a bookshelf—add extra storage with a classic industrial vibe; the rivets on these containers perfectly capture the industrial vibe that designers in Middlesex County will be looking for this spring.
Large clocks and compasses are interesting additions to a room, with parts that move and boxy shapes that add weight. After choosing these items, all that you have left to do is figure out the perfect window treatments—dark soft velvet or a billowy thin cream—and your spring decorating projects are already off to a fresh start.
