ACCENTS

Bricks and mortar

The industrial aesthetic is a popular choice in home design, but don’t be fooled; even if the design looks “unfinished,” it is not so easy to pull off.

A good way to describe the industrial look is as if a carpenter had just finished installing the foundations of a home and has yet to cover the woods and metals with paint or decoration. This provides a very rustic and natural look to a home. This does not mean that the house is by any means unfinished; instead, industrial accents take these natural elements and turn them into actual decor.

“You can have a wooden wall, for example, that’s unpainted, but you polish and smooth it out and now it’s a good accent (wall),” according to the Pro Desk at The Home Depot. “You see the natural grooves and rings from the tree that the wall used to be. It’s like art.”

The industrial look emphasizes minimalism while also keeping things clean. Exposed pipes, mostly unfunctional, along walls or ceilings can serve as faux shelves or fixtures to hang lights. Clay bricks built around a furnace or by windows can make it look like you are seeing the exterior of a home, rather than the inside. Concrete floors are also among popular industrial choices, although they are sanded or polished, so the surfaces feel smooth.

Commercial properties also lend themselves to industrial design. Three Squares in Tamuning, Crust Pizzeria in east Hagåtña and the former Rotten Apple restaurant in Tamuning. Savage Sandwich Co. and Primo Pizzakaya in Tumon also have industrial elements.

The colors that compliment an industrial look are the same ones found in industrial equipment. Grays, blacks and metallics go with metals and PVC pipes, while browns and dark reds can come out of wood and clay bricks. Transparent glass is also complimentary to industrial design.

Design experts on Vevano Home recommend using iron, brass, chrome and copper for fixture finishes, while using vintage photographs, abstract art and plants to add texture accents to a space. The home design blog also stresses that in industrial design, shapes are clearly defined. An example would be square metal frames going up to ceilings or hanging light fixtures with a straight pipe connecting an exposed light bulb.

“If you want to go simple with an industrial look, you can line bare plywood along your doorways or windows,” according to The Home Depot. “Wooden furniture pieces also have that sort of industrial look and you can add cushions or mats on top of them for comfort.” p