Industrial Style
Industrial style
reclaims utilitarian items used in factories,
schools, offices and workshops in the late
nineteenth century to about the 1950s. The full out
style can involve unexpected combinations
spot-lighting a mix of bright/drab colours,
smooth/rough textures or juxtaposed shapes. Another
way to enjoy the style is to incorporate one or two
lovely pieces into a more traditional or modern
space.
How to Decorate
with Industrial Style
above
pictures from shutterstock.com &
istock.com
Step 1: Site
Assessment & Modifications
For the full-blown
style, the best spaces tend to be open with high
ceilings. Converted loft spaces are perfect!
Exposed brick, wood floors, and stone/concrete are
good base materials.
A more traditional space can also benefit from the
contrast of Industrial materials. For example,
vintage looking wood flooring or concrete counter
tops with unfinished edges.
Step 2: Key
Pieces
In a dining room or
kitchen, a key piece may be a custom table built of
salvaged industrial pieces. In a bedroom, perhaps a
headboard built of old pipes. A bathroom could
benefit from a stellar industrial lighting fixture
or a steel sink basin.
In a more traditional space, one or two key pieces
may be all that you need to create a gorgeous
contrast between the refined and the rustic.
The full industrial
look takes advantage of rough/hard materials like
metal and stone. To add some softness, consider
re-purposed flags, postal or flour bags. Vintage
upholstered pieces refurbished in rough linens and
faded fabrics could also be fabulous!
In a more traditional space, it is more likely that
neutral or modern upholstered pieces, carpets and
drapery are part of the mix.
Of course, simple
factory lights are gorgeous as ceiling lights.
Articulated lights make great table & floor
lamps. I’ve seen creative fixtures made with things
like message (pneumatic) tubes, ship lights and
metal pipes at Metropolis.
In a more traditional space, the addition of
industrial lighting fixtures can add interesting
detail and character.
Industrial art is
almost any found object that possesses the beauty
of a well-made, well-used utilitarian item. Cases
in point, Metropolis’ old truck door as wall-art
(see below), naval training target kite or old
school map. Black and white art/photography and
movie posters are also good choices.
One or two amazing industrial accessories in a more
Traditional space can be remarkable. For example, a
collection of apothecary jars on a worn wood shelf
or an oversized metal sign above a modern sofa.
For more on Industrial Style click here: eye for beauty - past beauty
Industrial Timeline - 19th Century
All images and historical details from www.urbanremainschicago.com
Decorating with Antiques & Collectables
Antiques and collectables add beauty and individuality to today’s interiors. Inherited pieces can be given pride of place or seamlessly integrated into a more contemporary decor scheme. Pieces collected over time can be showcased or contribute subtly to a room’s overall feel.
In present day homes and condos, space is often at a premium. The creative challenge then, is how to keep antiques and collectables. The question becomes “to store or to display?”. One solution is to rotate collections so that some are in storage and some are enjoyed at any given time. That way, your collection is always fresh!
Types of Antiques & Collectables
First, consider the type of pieces that you have. Furniture and art are larger items and directly contribute to the decor and functionality of a home. These bigger pieces often work best as focal points or key accents in a room. Think, for example, of how lovely and unexpected a large scale print framed in antique gold and hung in an otherwise minimalist bathroom could be!
In a similar manner, a condo living room done in neutral colours with slip-covered sofa and chairs, could benefit from the warmth of wood - perhaps an antique chest of drawers. Using antique pieces can provide ingenious storage options. A piece of architectural salvage or an antique map could make an entirely unique work of art in either a traditional or a modern interior.
Leaded glass
architectural salvage extended from ceiling on
chain.In the case of pieces on a smaller scale, they are often best displayed in multiples. For example, a collection of vintage kitchen utensils hung from a peg board or a set of blue and white china propped in a row on open shelving. Another option is to arrange them in a vignette with objects that share something in common with them. The common element could be colour, texture or even theme. The connection can be as loose as a painting in sepia tones pared with antique books whose weathered pages show the same soft colours.
Take stock of what you’ve collected. If they are potentially functional items, be open and creative about possible uses for them. If they are beautiful items, think of how best to show them and to enjoy them on a daily basis.
Types of Style
A second consideration when displaying antiques and collectables is the style of your space. A formal interior in a more traditional style can benefit from symmetrical arrangements. In this case, for example, a mantel-scape with two candelabras on either side of a turn-of-the-century clock could work comfortably. A pairing of more then one piece from the same time period works best in a formal environment. For example, a hall table, chair & mirror from the art deco period.
In a casual environment, single, unusual pieces used in unexpected ways can be lovely. For example, an old mill wheel used as a coffee table. Consider re-finishing or re-furbishing old pieces and putting them to new uses. An old washstand could house a new sink and make a character-filled addition to a bathroom
.
Art Nouveau light
in a contemporary sunroom.
At the other extreme, a maximalist casual environment chock-full and overflowing with collections can be striking. For example, a license plate collection covering an accent wall or a floor strewn with colourful rag rugs. The key here is that the object’s relate in some major way. The shapes could be similar, the colours could repeat, textures and materials could be similar (smooth or rough) or a clear theme, such as “hand-made” or “pop-art” could unite them. Even in a stripped-down condo environment, a collection displayed in mass, for example, a colourful assortment of road-signs, could be just the ticket to a unique and beautiful space.
Antiques Display by Room
Various Antique
Farm Implements on Display in a Workroom.
Kitchen:
1 Use a mix of open and closed shelving. Group collections in displays according to type or colour.
2 Art in the kitchen, especially that referring to domestic chores, food or the outdoors, can make this room, which we spend so much time in, more pleasant to be in!
3 Install an old shelf or place a chimney cupboard in the corner to add interest to a standard cabinetry lay-out.
Bedroom:
1 Smaller collectables can be displayed in vignettes or groupings on bedside, vanity or dresser. Perfumes bottles on a mirrored tray for example.
2 Painted furniture pieces in wood, wicker or metal can add charm and work especially well with a country style.
3 In the bedroom, a large piece, such as a wardrobe or four-poster bed, can make an impression.
Living & Dining Room:
The feel of judicious accumulation over the years works especially well in these rooms.
1 Display architectural salvage or wall-mount an old textile for it’s beautiful texture.
2 Display an oil lamp collection on a side-board or light tapers in antique silver or brass candlesticks.
3 Consider converting a treasured object into a table or floor lamp and using it as part of your decor.
Antiques Display by Type
1 Choose stand-out pieces as a room’s “anchor” or focal point.
2 Consider a new coat of paint or new hardware to freshen an old piece. Or, think of a new use for an old piece. For example, an antique cart as a small kitchen island or bar cart.
3 Buy multiple frames in the same style, install a picture rail (or 2, one placed above the other). Frame pages from an old botanical print book or magazine.
Depression glass
& porcelain in a lighted cabinet.
Glass & Ceramics:
1 Display colourful on bottles, bowls & jugs on modern shelving. For example, a free-standing unit with square cubbies.
2 Install shelves across a window & place glass items on them so that the light winks through.
3 Decant modern products into old medicine bottles, test tubes or vanity containers. Be sure to remember which one you’ve poured the face cream in & which one you’ve poured the dish detergent in!
Linens & Jewelry:
1 Place a hook or two in a minimal decor scheme. Choose a stunning antique dress or kimono and hang it as a work of art.
2 Create simple curtains or cushions from vintage floral fabric for a romantic, shabby chic feel.
3 Fasten antique jewelry to a lampshade, affix to a fabric covered board or frame in a shadow box.
Don’t be afraid to wear your treasures if appropriate!
Books:
1 Install shelving over door frames, around the perimeter of a room at ceiling height or under stairs.
2 Create an artistic stack and use as a side table.
3 Consider arranging shelves according to the size or colour of books. Recover all displayed books in uniform “jackets”. Mix the displayed books with decor items.
Antiques as Investment Heirlooms
Antiques, if chosen well, can become valuable heirlooms. To help ensure that what you choose and purchase does gain value, take a look at the tips below:
1) Category - Make the category of antique you’re looking for as specific as possible. For example, choose to look for Arts n’ Crafts era Moorcroft pottery or English Regency era chairs (1795 – 1820).
2) Knowledge - Become an expert on that antique category. Take out library books, research online, check Ebay and auction listing catalogues. Post questions on appropriate forums and blogs.
3) Examples - Get out there and hunt for examples “in the flesh.” Go to antiques stores, estate sales, auctions and get a feel for what’s out there. Examine pieces closely. Ask questions of those around you.
4) Age – The age of a piece helps determine its value. Technically, an antique is 100 years old or more. In some places, the rule is 50+ years. The older the piece is, the more likely that the value is higher.
5) Rarity – That said, a 50-year-old piece that was created as a limited edition may have more value then a 100-year-old piece that was machine-made and mass-produced.
6) Authenticity – If you know the category well, you will know the details to look for to determine authenticity. For example, a cabinet made before 1870 is more then likely to have hand cut dovetail joints although European cabinet-makers used them through the 1930s. As a second example, a porcelain piece made pre 1800s will often have no markings save small, hand-written ones while the name of a country with a stamp indicates that the piece was produced after 1891.
7) Condition – Any alterations, repairs, chips or flaws immediately decrease the value of a piece. The original worn paint job on a 1840s’ pine cabinet makes it more valuable. An exception can occur with upholstered pieces. The “bones” or structure of a piece can stay strong while the fabric deteriorates at a faster rate. So, for example, a reupholstered original Louis XV chair will still have significant value.
8) Beauty – Make sure you love the piece you’re purchasing and will love to live with it. That way, it has immediate value!
9) Price - When you are ready to purchase, don’t look at the price. Evaluate the piece, determine if you love it, determine if it’s the best of its kind; and then, turn over the price tag!
10) Long-term – Once you have the piece, plan to keep it for the long-term. Care for it well, and as you both age, you’ll both increase in value!
Happy Hunting and live well with your antiques.