INDUSTRIAL STYLE LIVING

 

New York City artists of the 60s and 70s didn’t find their art studios – they created them!


For decades artists have gravitated towards the nitty, gritty, urban landscapes of city life like New York and Detroit. Remarkably, it was the artists of New York City during the 1950’s and ‘60’s that would birth the revolutionary interior design aesthetic that we know of today as, industrial style décor.

Artists like Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Mark Rothko turned abandoned warehouses and factories into their own personal work spaces, where they created some of the most influential art of the 20th century.

Today, artists and designers alike continue to be charmed by these similar characteristics like exposed brick, concrete, raw and unfinished materials. It’s no wonder that the industrial style aesthetic remains one of the most popular for interior design. Its use of raw materials and focus on functionality and simplicity make it a perfect canvas for creativity.

You don’t have to be an artist like Jackson Pollock or live in an urban landscape like New York or Detroit to live in your dream décor aesthetic. Below are some insights that can help you achieve this aesthetic in your own home.


MAGNIFICENT SNAP-SHOTS OF LIVED-IN INDUSTRIAL STYLE HOMES


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SHOP


When shopping for items to achieve the Industrial Style aesthetic, think: raw materials, vintage elements, metal finishes, and functional furniture — as these are synonymous with this decor.


LEATHER & LOUNGE


When deciding on furniture, stick to the holy trinity of Industrial style aesthetic: they should be simple, functional, and utilitarian. Consider adding a vintage chair or leather sofa for added warmth and unique twist to the room.


CORNELIA LEATHER CLUB CHAIR AT JOSSANDMAIN FOR $1240

CHESTERFIELD LEATHER SOFA AT POTTERY BARN FOR $4,699

FRESNO UPHOLSTERED DINING CHAIR AT POTTERY BARN FOR $679

BLACK LEATHER OAK CHAIR AT KATHY KOU HOME FOR $1,699


ENTERTAINMENT & METALS


Entertain your guests (and yourself!) by incorporating metal finishes to your space. Be creative, select items with metal in fun and unexpected places such as in the lighting fixtures, hardware, and furniture!


BELMONT METAL CABINET IN BLACK AT BURKE DECOR FOR $2199

SCHMIT ACCENT TABLE AT BURKE DECOR FOR $249

DECMODE BRASS FUNCTIONAL ANTIQUE PHONE AT HAYNEEDLE FOR $152

52-IN TORQUE MEDIA CART AT MODERN INDUSTRIAL FURNITURE FOR $1,750


TEXTURES


Add character and depth to your space with textures! Natural elements like plants or wooden accents are just one option to achieve this. Another alternative is to use textiles like wool or jute rugs and cozy throws. The space should feel raw and untouched, yet still warm and cozy.


DUNMORE NATURAL JUTE RUG AT BALLARD DESIGNS FOR $400

KESTLER INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY WOODEN CRATE AT MR.DARBY’S ANTIQUES FOR $39

ANTIBES, BRONZ ACCENT THROW PILLOW AT COTEIRE FOR $68

FIDDLE LEAF FIG PLANT AT HOUZZ

FOR $64


LIGHTING


Choose lighting fixtures with metal finishes such as copper or steel. This is a fun and creative way to add to the overall urban, raw feel of the space.


JORDAN PENDANT LIGHT AT POTTERY BARN FOR $169

JONATHAN HOMER 13 IN. 1-LIGHT MODERN INDUSTRIAL IRON LED DOME PENDANT AT HAYNEEDLE FOR $183

CHABEI LOFT VINTAGE ROPE MONKEY PENDANT LIGHT AT AMAZON FOR $126

NEWTON HAND BLOWN GLASS MINI PENDANT AT POTTERY BARN FOR $249

 

MAXIMALIST INTERIOR DESIGN: THE ART OF MORE

 

Photo: Jenna Peffley // AD MAGAZINE

With JOY as the fundamental element, it’s not difficult to see why the maximalist design aesthetic maintains its popularity, year after year. Don’t let the explosion of colors, patterns, and creativity intimidate you — read on to discover how you too can achieve this charming aesthetic.


From treasures discovered in antique markets to souvenirs bought from travel – homes develop their personality and character like every other individual walking this earth, over the years. The time spent inside our homes (due to the pandemic), has inspired people to re-evaluate what matters most to them - from what they love to what they want to be surrounded by.

The history of interiors has always been a pendulum swing of two extremes  - minimalism and maximalism. With function over form as its main principle, minimalism is strategically organized, no fuss, no stress, no excess approach to interior design. It is all about clean lines and subdued colors. Maximalism, on the other hand, is the explosion of individualistic creativity. It is the layering of various rich, colorful, textured aesthetics harmoniously occupying a space. Unlike the standardized forms of the various minimalist styles, maximalist interiors are impossible to copy verbatim: it’s their idiosyncrasies that make them what they are.

If you feel inspired to delve into the magpie of eye-catching patterns, statement décor, bursts of saturated colors that is maximalism – here is a guide to help you navigate the maximalist design aesthetic.


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BE FEARLESS


Painting white walls can be quite daunting, especially if it’s your first time! When choosing paint colors, begin with a color you find yourself gravitating towards, makes you smile or appeals to you.

Then as you gain confidence, you can expand the color you just chose into a color scheme. For example, if you chose navy you can add a shade darker or lighter to create a color scheme.

Wallpaper is another great way to decorate your walls, ceiling included. If the space has dark walls, choose a lighter hue for the ceiling so as not to pull too much attention from the rest of the room.

LIMERENCE WALLPAPER MALACHITE AT HOUSE OF HACKNEY FOR $195

FEMCREATIVE ENGLISH ROSES WALLPAPER AT URBAN OUTFITTERS

FOR $159

HOME SILAS REMOVABLE WALL MURAL AT URBAN OUTFITTERS FOR $489

CIRCUS HORIZON RAINBOW

WALLPAPER AT REBEL WALLS FOR $7/SQ FT


BE A MIXOLOGIST


Push yourself outside your comfort zone. Maximalism is, after all, about creating an over-the-top space. How? With colors, shapes, tones, and textures.

So, layering is key! Take everything you love and layer them on multiple surfaces like side tables, furniture, walls, and bookshelves. When mixing patterns (i.e., stripes, geometrics, florals) use one color to connect them together.

Want the room to feel more eclectic? Try mixing furniture from different periods. This will give the impression that the space was put together through the years.

SILHOUETTE MIRROR AT URBAN OUTFITTERS FOR $749

MCQUEEN GLOBE CHANDELIER AT LUXDECO FOR $8,565

IDE PEACOCK TIEBACK AT ANTHROPOLOGY FOR $48

30-INCH VINTAGE ELEGANT LIGHTING MIRROR AT BUILD FOR $148

MARTINIQUE BY CW STOCKWELL SOFA AT THE INSIDE FOR $2349

VINTAGE CHINEESE AND WESTERN ELEMENTS DESIGN CHAIR AT DAVINRICH FOR $333

LIANG & EIMIL CHAPEL STOOL AT LUXDECO FOR $303

CORAL ZEBRA BY SCALAMDERE AT THE INSIDE FOR $2394


BE A CURATOR OF ART


Dress up the walls of your home with paintings, prints, and illustrations.

Do your children make art in their kindergarten class, too many that they end up in drawers? Show your kids how proud you are of them by hanging them on your walls!

Looking for someplace to store all your designer scarves? Why not enjoy them every day by framing and displaying them on your walls for all to see, adding a unique flare to your walls.

ANDREW MARTIN APPLE GRAFFITI AT OLIVIA’S FOR $153

RAINBOW CHARD PRINT PAINTING

BY ANEK FOR $70


BE A BOOKWORM


Are you a bibliophile? Let your books take center stage.

Fill your shelves to the brim or stack them on any and every table top in the room – wherever you orient them, books give the room character, add a personal touch and make for great conversation starters.

Whether you group your books by color or size, or random arrangement  – rest assured they will make any room feel cozy and lived in.

YSL: THE IMPOSSIBLE COLLECTION AT LUXDECO FOR $850

THE ULTIMATE TOWER, BLACK AT LUXDECO FOR $4,350


BE A COLLECTOR


Do you have a passion for traveling? Why not incorporate your favorite past-time into your home decor?

Dig up those souvenirs (and memories) like that snow globe from Switzerland or bottle of sand from the beaches of Hawaii or the Colosseum magnet from Rome for an added personal touch to the space.

Souvenirs say, ‘I was there’, reminding us of the places we’ve been and thanks to Maximalist approach to interior decor you can celebrate these treasured possessions (and memories) everyday.

They are quiet possibly the best kept secret when creating a maximalist aesthetic.

VINTAGE GOLD ORNATE BAROQUE MIRROR AT HOMARY FOR $490

MINDY BROWNES ZANZIBAR LAMP AT OLVIA’S FOR $200

JYLIN VASE AT ANTHROPOLOGY

FOR $88

VINTAGE FRAMES AT REBEL WALLS FOR $6 EACH


BE FLOORED TO EMBELLISH


Don’t forget, floors can be decorated, too! Add unexpected bursts of color with oriental rugs and table cloths. Layer as often as you like to create depth, texture, and adventure to the room.

VELVET TANYA PETITE ACCENT CHAIR AT ANTHROPOLOGY FOR $598

SEMIKAH TEXTILES MOROCCAN VINTAGE ALIVE RUG AT ANTHROPOLOGY FOR $3,100

NATALIE LETE EMBROIDERED THROW PILLOWS AT ANTHROPOLOGY FOR $108

VINTAGE HAMADAN AREA RUG AT RAYMOUR & FLANIGAN FOR $270


BE AN EDITOR


Although with the maximalist aesthetic more is always more, editing is key. The space should be beautiful, but at the end of the day it is a home to be lived in and enjoyed. Remember to balance. Every item should shine while also allowing the other pieces in the room to have their moment of glory, too! Decide on one or two items to set the theme and for the eye to focus on when entering the room. Doing so will help avoid the feeling of chaos when attempting to achieve the maximalist aesthetic.