AW16 Industrial Chic from Harley & Lola

If I had to choose my favourite interior design style I would have to say it is Industrial Chic. This particular design style is one that I never tire of and that I have tried to bring into my own livingroom. What I really love about this style is the fact that it takes inspiration from industrial spaces such as old factories and warehouses and it therefore features materials and finishes that are normally found in commercial spaces and are therefore somewhat unexpected for residential interiors. Materials such as forged or welded metal, concrete, exposed plaster or brick, and weathered or reclaimed wood are often used alongside industrial lighting fixtures to create interior spaces that exude character and have numerous untold stories within their fabric. The Industrial Chic style has a utilitarian appeal and therefore it is designed to be functional, useful and durable as opposed to attractive. I suppose some people may find the style quite cold, hard and masculine for that reason and I guess in a way it probably is, but that is not to say that it can’t be made to feel homely, welcoming and even beautiful. By simply adding some soft colour pallettes and textured fabrics and textiles you can give the Industrial Chic style a more feminine appeal.   

For people who love Industrial Chic, like me, the beauty of this style can be found in all the aged and repurposed pieces that are often incorporated into an Industrial Chic scheme.  What better way to create a totally original interior than by choosing furniture and accessories that have a past life and their own unique history? Salvaged pieces that once had a totally different function can really make a statement and can also provide quite a talking point. Think Singer sewing machine tables used in the hallway, industrial spools used as coffee tables, or machinists’ stools situated at a breakfast bar. These multi-functional pieces can really help to add a stylish urban edge to your home. And being industrial pieces, they were made to last so you know that they are more than capable of dealing with the everyday wear and tear that comes with domestic use.

Often though, original industrial pieces can be quite large and whilst they are a great fit for converted warehouse and loft living, they may be a little sizable for the smaller homes that many of us live in today. But luckily, this trend for Industrial Chic has gone mainstream since it first hit the interiors scene back in the early 2000’s. There are plenty of great retailers who now cater to the Industrial Chic trend so there really is no need to go out salvaging and repurposing your furniture if that doesn’t appeal to you. One great place that I’ve come across recently is Harley & Lola, a retailer that specialises in high-quality, environmentally friendly homeware, furniture, soft furnishings & accessories. One of their brand new collections for Autumn/Winter 2016 focuses solely on the Industrial Chic style and features some really beautiful products.

Using the pieces from Harley & Lola you can bring the Industrial Chic style into your own home, even if you don’t have the good fortune to live in a converted warehouse or a loft. Below, I have picked out some of my favourite pieces from the new collection that I think would be the perfect addition to an Industrial Chic interior. And you needn’t worry about the fact that you don’t have any exposed brick, plaster or concrete in your two-bed semi as there are some very realistic looking wallpapers that will help you fake it.

My favourite piece from the collection has to be the Saxo Large Sideboard seen above. I say this because I have ridiculously similar furniture myself. As I don’t live in a spacious warehouse, I don’t have room for this otherwise I would snap it up myself. I also think the rustic range is just gorgeous and would look so lovely in an Industrial Chic style kitchen. The dark grey really compliments the wooden accents. The oak display cabinet seen above is perfect for displaying all your favourite items whilst keeping them safely stowed behind glass doors.

So what do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts on Industrial Chic. Is it a style you would consider trying yourself?

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Harley & Lola. However, I want to stress that I only collaborate with brands and companies that I genuinely like and believe that my readers will like too.