I love lots of different styles of interior design but I have always envied people who have loft apartments so that they can pull off interiors with industrial pieces or vintage design classics that have come out of commercial or institutional buildings.
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| Is it possible to die of envy? I really hope not! |
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| Vintage industrial trucs... so cool! |
In France they call this the Atelier style and it is largely influenced by many of the old workshops that have been converted into quirky living accommodation in the heart of Paris. I was lucky enough a month or so ago to have come across this striking turquoise blue desk lamp and was thinking of keeping it but wasn't at all surprised when someone snapped it up almost immediately.
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| An authentic industrial lamp from the 1950s |
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| I prefer to see items where the signs of age have been preserved |
I adore old filing cabinets and big factory suspension lights and am often horrified when people sand them back and respray them losing all their natural patina. Old industrial clocks are another of my loves but the nearest I have managed to get to one so far is this little alarm clock I picked up at a flea market a month or so ago.
Aluminium workshop windows and doors are also very much a la mode and give a real sense of atmosphere to large open plan spaces.
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| Create the look of a French 'atelier' with metal windows and doors |
As with any fashion there are lots of reproductions on the market but mixed with genuine vintage finds they can compliment a design. I would however steer away from large lettering spelling ATELIER or other similar items as in my opinion they really kill the authenticity of a space.
While I'm on the subject is it just me or are there other people out there that don't see the appeal of words like LOVE, HOME, PEACE and all the other large letters that seem to be littering people's otherwise lovely homes?
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| My advice would be, if you're tempted, to just keep on walking! |
Having said all this I must confess to being guilty of this myself as I have a little reproduction enamel sign with CUISINE written on it in, yes... you've guessed it, the kitchen. It is design choice I still regret but unfortunately it is well and truly stuck to the wall (thanks to a combination of screws and 'no more nails') so it has become something of a permanent feature (I will have to move now!).
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| Why, oh why, oh why did I think that was a good idea... the stale bread is for the chickens in case you were wondering! |
This sign is not only a constant irritation to me but is also a daily reminder never again to stick words stating the annoyingly obvious on the wall!.
Oh well I suppose I'll just have to KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.... (or eat cupcakes or any of the many other versions of the famous phrase currently gracing what seems like virtually every home in Britain and beyond!
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