The industrial style began in the late 19th century, and represented a rejection of the country homely styles which had previously characterized British architecture. In particular, it rejected the old-fashioned provincial style of cottage-style or country cottages. Instead, industrial furniture was typified by rounded or curvy forms, and emphasized the solidity and strength of metal rather than wood. Though its influence has not faded, industrial design is now more associated with utilitarianism than the romantic country cottages.
The industrial furniture first appeared off the backs of lofts, which were actually a natural fit for the retro design. These warehouses and factory buildings were ideally suited for sturdy metal and wooden objects in the classic vintage furniture stable, since these were also very much in line with the feel of the old-fashioned use to which these structures were put. For instance, authentic antiques were often made from wood - such as an intricately carved ornamental desk for the library or a hand carved rocking chair. But instead of wood, the industrial style furniture would often be made from steel or aluminium, which was much less vulnerable to the elements: steel was easily welded, and aluminium was much easier to cast into shapes. Though both of these materials are extremely malleable, neither is immune to the corrosive effects of the elements - the rusting of both can take away from their beauty.
But perhaps the biggest influence on the industrial style furniture was the new materials which were being mass produced in Britain after the Second World War. Steel pipes and cold rolled sheet metals quickly gained popularity for their durability and low cost, and these materials soon became the chosen substance for many British office furniture. Though the industrial style furniture of the period did still generally have a utilitarian design, it was becoming more distinct, with designers coming up with different ways to use these raw materials to create new modern designs which would fit better into the classic or vintage look. And so it came about that the humble, rustic warehouse look came about: steel doors and concrete slabs became the trademarks of working factories, and so would have had even more resonance had they been accompanied by a roaring fire in a corner, or an earthy smell of hay rising from a fertiliser plant.
Of course, there was also the movement of people to build more permanent urban lofts, and the style of these places would have been highly influenced by the building projects of post-war Britain. In these new cities, there was usually a quick proliferation of steel buildings: if you wanted somewhere to live, you could find an industrial unit right next door. These units were constructed in a variety of classic styles, such as the column-roofed barn or the larder barn, but with an additional characteristic which was common to many UK buildings at this time: they would often contain simple wooden features which were designed to be easy to clean.
This aspect of industrial style furniture was certainly recognised back then, when the UK real estate market became very competitive. People were trying to get hold of as much property for their money as possible, and this was reflected in how the industry performed when it came to building and selling homes. The standard of construction for many units was the same - solid lumber joists held together with bracing, with either plain or hand-carved wooden paneling running through them. But the way in which they were built was different. Here, reclaimed wood was used, as well as other woods such as oak and walnut.
For instance, a typical factory unit would often be designed around a single factory alcove. Here, the factory owner would select his working space, and build it around his needs and preferences. For example, he might want his factories to be placed along a main road, so his workers could move easily between them. Alternatively, he might prefer a location which gave him easy access to the rest of his production facilities - in this case, all his plants would be situated close to one another. In addition to the factory buildings themselves, an industrial style furniture buyer can also look for units in other parts of the factory structure - such as the offices, the factory reception area and so on.
In modern day industrial style furniture, there is no longer anything like this. Instead, manufacturers and buyers are now looking for new ways to create custom living spaces which have been individually tailored for each customer. As a result, you can get leather sofas, modern office furniture and coffee tables constructed in a manner that is as unique as the needs of each individual buyer. For example, some customers may have a need for a particular colour of leather sofa, while others may prefer a particular shape. The manufacturer will be able to customise the raw material, the cut, the sturdiness and the finishing, taking care not to sacrifice the quality of the end result.
When it comes to purchasing industrial style furniture, it is best to go for high quality, durable furniture that will remain looking good for many years into the future. The same can be said for reclaimed wood. Reclaimed wood is one of the cleanest and most sustainable materials available, making it perfect for industrial design. One of the biggest advantages of purchasing reclaimed wood is that it still looks great after a few years. Unlike factory made furniture, there is hardly any damage, and industrial design furniture that has been constructed with reclaimed wood can be passed down through generations.
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