An industrial-style décor can be a wonderful, earthy and unique space. Using items from large industry and retrofitting them into useful furniture and accessories could be a fun adventure if this style suits your personal tastes.
You don't have to live in an industrial loft to enjoy the benefits of the rough-hewn, historic industrial decor. You can incorporate interesting trade items into your traditional home that will give your decor the industrial feel.
Just look at these interesting accessories I happened across at Wicker World recently. Items that represent industry, such as large mechanical gears, are fashioned into very unique tabletop accessories. Large-scale lighting and weathered storage crates make for eye-catching accents for your home. You can purchase these items ready-made or try to find salvages pieces you can fashion into your own unique accessories. Because salvage items are difficult to come by, a combination of store-bought and found treasures is the best way to go.
What to look for
You're probably not going to happen upon industrial items easily, but you can watch for items that can be used in this style of decor. Lighting with caged covers that are easily found in any lighting store, for example, can be used in an industrial decor. Large-scale accessories, such as clocks, can also be found in many decor shops. These items carry the elements that lend themselves to this style.
Salvage finds
Watch for large-scale items, especially pendant lighting, for the kitchen, such as old wooden crates and palettes that can be fashioned into unique tables or bookshelves. Think about shopping at out-of-the-way places such as industrial plumbing stores, where you might find oversized piping that can be used to create unique items like curtains rods or hanging pot racks. Scrap yards are another place where you might find that one-of-a-kind piece. Just one or two cool items can add just enough edge to your well-appointed room to give it tons of interest. Metal storage lockers, wrought iron stands and industrial seating, such as metal stools, are other items that can be added to the space to create visual appeal.
When purchasing new items, such as flooring, opt for hand-scraped wood with wide planks to give your room a rustic charm. Consider focal walls of stone or brick for a warehouse appeal. Industrial advertising, if you can find it or replicate it, can add a wonderful touch to any room. Don't forget weathered wooden doors and windows can add tons of visual interest as well when hung on the wall, used as a headboard or fashioned into a unique coffee table. Keep your eye open for vintage desktop or floor fans and large fan blades that can be hung on the wall as decoration.
For the home office, use items like a vintage manual typewriter, old tape dispenser, vintage cameras or binoculars as quaint accent pieces for your desktop or shelving. I once found an old iron tape dispenser at a thrift store I did some research on. Turns out it was manufactured by 3M in the 1940s, when 3M was still known as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing. I was able to contact the company and get a copy of the colour magazine ad that was used to sell the item back in the '40s. I framed the ad to hang on the wall in my office where the tape dispenser is displayed. A great find that I just love.
Suggestions for DIY projects
Use an old crate or trunk to create a unique coffee table. Put the table on oversized castors or wheels to give it that extra industrial flavour.
Utilize specialty paint finishes that can provide rough patinas like rust, crackle, distressed and antique finishes to furniture, lamps and other accessories.
Expose piping and ceiling venting where appropriate. Exposed ceiling and support beams might also add visual interest.
Search for vintage black and white photographs of industrial buildings, interiors and even factory workers to frame as art.
Industry has many facets, from garment to automobile makers to aerospace. Seek out items in keeping with the industry of your choice.
Display coffee table books on the history of your chosen industry.
If you need more ideas and inspiration, just do an Internet search on industrial decor. There are lots of photos and ideas to get you started.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
