Softening the Style: Rustic Industrial Style

A distinct modification to the hard edge of industrial style is afoot- a reinterpretation best described as rustic industrial style.

Change is constant, and the world of design and decor is not exempt from changes or adaptions.

Rustic is often assigned to several different design styles, casting a broad net over the design application.

Industrial style is not a personal favorite, however, the present softening of hard edges in favor of tipping the scales ever so slightly towards a new traditional modern farmhouse look has the decorative oomph to win me over.

Back in the early 1980s, Dave the Builder became enamored with the modern meets contemporary design style that was all the rage.

Glass.

Chrome.

Metal color palette.

Dave the Builder was intrigued, and I was perplexed.

We met in the middle of are you kidding me and we’ll give it whirl.

We remodeled the living room/dining room combination to suit the style, and when completed we ended up with a space that was stark, cold, and characterless.

I absolutely hated the look.

Thank the design and decor gods Dave hated it to.

Robert Dame DesignsRobert Dame Designs – Thompson Custom Homes

Balance plays a pivotal role in the completed look of any space.

The impact of a primary design style is often enhanced by a supporting decorating style.

Michael-Dawkins-Home

Michael Dawkins Home

Now, I know I haven’t discovered something new, nor am I introducing an on trend design and decor phenomenon.

What I am drawing attention to is how design styles and decor tastes can, and do, evolve.

We embrace the base style elements, adding to and subtracting from in order to perfect and keep visual relevancy.

Rustic industrial style blurs the hard lines by emphasizing soft edges.

Michael-Dawkins-Home1Michael Dawkins Home

Like a uncorked bottle of wine, I liken the evolution of rustic industrial style to allowing a bottle of wine time to breathe.

More expressive and fully matured.

Terri Ricci Interiors

Terri Ricci Interiors

A little background for clarity:

The concept of industrial style decor gleans influence from the modern warehouse-loft-factory elements of design.

rustic-wood-dining-chairs

Southern Living Magazine

With rustic origins relating to vintage wares, industrial style typifies a commercial appeal through the incorporation of wood and metal into the interior design and decor.

Rustic Industrial Style

 Lori Smyth Design

The phrase pop of color is rooted in the lexicon of interior design and interior decorating, however, not all color palettes necessarily reflect the broad brush stroke of what we commonly consider color.

mix-and-match-dining-room-01 Magdalena Keck Interior Design

Natural in color, texture, pattern and appeal, neutral colors dominate the rustic industrial style palette.

Urban Archaeology

Urban Archaeology

Where the classic color combination of black and white qualifies as the height of color perfection in some instances, a neutral color palette is a bold color choice in others.

mark.cunningham.inc.portfolio.interiors.kitchen.dining.breakfast.room

Mark Cunningham Inc.

Add in a mix of metals and the industrial style decor color palette is born.

metal-top-dining-table

Industrial to Farm Dining Table

This zinc plated metal and cedar base farm dining table by SDS Designs captures two hot on trend looks- modern farmhouse and industrial style decor.

Farm+Dining+Table

Farm Dining Table by SDS Designs

You’ll notice more and more how the lines between these particular design and decor styles give life to rustic industrial style.

Industrial-style-kitchen-dark-cabinets Holder Design Associates 

Lilian Dining Chair

Lilian Dining Chair- Set of 4

office-black-chalkboard-walls-desk-under-window-double-metal-doors

WB Builders

Carbon Loft Tilton 24-in Rustic Gunmetal Bar Stool

Carbon Loft Tilton 24-in Rustic Gunmetal Bar Stool

farmhouse kitchen South Beach Exquisite House 2id Interiors

Napa Valley Farmhouse-den-Carreiro Builders

Carreiro Builders

kitchen-with-hand-poured-concrete-countertops

 Anthony Wilder

Sleek pendants and statement chandeliers visually qualify as a design tour de force.

rustic light fixtures

Sadie Pendant  ||  1-light Oxidized Nickel Pendant  ||  Bartlett Small Pendant in French White  ||  Isabel 1-Light Pendant in Colonial Blue Finish 
Modern Haning Lighting Fixture Golden Ceilling Light  ||  1-light Oxidized Brass Pendant  ||  Uttermost Pontoise 1-light Distressed Ivory Metal Mini Pendant  ||  Quoizel Amherst Mottled Cocoa 3-light Pendant

wesley.wayne.interiors

Wesley-Wayne Interiors

Homefare Metal Door Light Oak Display CabinetHomefare Metal Door Light Oak Display Cabinet

green-and-black-living-room-industrial-black-metal-casement-bar-cabinet

 Von Fitz Design

vidaXL Coffee Table Black 25.6"x25.6"x11.8" Solid Mango Wood

vidaXL Coffee Table Black Solid Mango Wood

Pulling home decor accents and accessories from other design styles avoids, or at least greatly diminishes, the risk of the space becoming locked into the hard line look of a particular decorating style.

New Orleans 1985 Vintage Map Canvas Art PrintNew Orleans 1985 Vintage Map Canvas Art Print

Uttermost Yerevan Wood Leg Lamp

Uttermost Yerevan Wood Leg Lamp

Ancient Medallion Giclee Canvas Art PrintAncient Medallion Giclee Canvas Art Print

Uttermost Lev Gold Metal Wall Decor

Uttermost Lev Gold Metal Wall Decor

Industrial-kitchen-New-York-loft

TOLA Architecture

Industrial-lighting-ideas

Bremerton 4L Bronze Wood Cage Linear Chandelier Island Pendant Light

Mercana Leighton I 15 x 20 Gold Toned Metal Spherical Pendant Light

Industrial Hanging Wired Pendant Light 

Carbon Loft Enstad 12-inch Fired Bronze Bowl 1-light Pendant

Carbon Loft Hoesl 14.5-inch Metal Sphere 1-light Pendant

Luxury Industrial Chandelier with Rustic StyleLuxury Industrial Chandelier with Rustic Style

black-display-cabinet-with-shelving-industrial-Seth-Caplan-AD

Architectural Digest

My personal choice for an in the style for replicating the very stylish storage solution option in the above image.

Ventana Glass Display Cabinet

Ventana Glass Display Cabinet

kitchen-island-corbels

The Working Kitchen

Cypress Industrial Adjustable Metal Barstool in Silver Brushed Gray with Brown Wood Seat

Cypress Industrial Adjustable Metal Barstool 

It’s quite surprising how the mixing of antiques or in the style of antiques pieces with today’s modern styles works a room to its visual advantage.

La Grange Hostyn Kitchen Island

La Grange Hostyn Kitchen Island

Art Leon Counter Height Metal Barstools with Eiffel Legs(Set of 2)

Art Leon Counter Height Metal Barstools with Eiffel Legs(Set of 2)

Staying true to one particular decor style proves a comfort zone of sorts, while the constant discovery of what accents and accessories best fit your decorative style portfolio results in a satisfying experience.

When the winds of design and decor change and blow inspiration your way, step out of the box and try a new decor style.

The result may beautifully surprise you.

Show & Tell

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