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Advice on industrial/retro look

Layla Shkoukani

7 years ago

We are currently extending our 1960's red brick semi creating a large open plan family kitchen/living space. We are reusing our shaker style cream kitchen cupboards and oak work top but adding to it. I am leaning towards an industrial/retro look with greys, deep blue and (because of cupboards) cream. Any advice on how to create such a style?

I am thinking breakfast bar in blue, off white Quartz top, antique brass kitchen handles and pendant lights, grey tiles, charcoal Windows and grey exposed steel beams. Would antique brass (as an alternative to copper) work with this look? Any suggestions appreciated!! :)

Featured Answer

PRO

Period Property Store

7 years ago

Hi Layla Shkoukani, here are some ideas for the industrial look from our own lighting range. These kitchens have the shaker style units in various colours and the vintage style pendant lights combine fantastically with this look.

Cool and Contemporary Country Style Kitchen · More Info

Modern Country Kitchen With Industrial Touches · More Info

Kitchen Inspiration · More Info

Kitchen Inspiration · More Info

See our Houzz page or our website for more of this style lighting.

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Comments (12)

Layla Shkoukani
Original Author
7 years ago
Lights over breakfast bar
PRO
Create Perfect
7 years ago
Hi Layla,

Wow, some great ideas going on there.. and hopefully a great space to follow!

Cream and white to not a great combination as the white can often make the cream look dirty and dull. These are all elements that need to balanced very carefully to get the right look but you are heading in the right direction. The blue is fab. Try and make sure you balance the colours throughout the space - for example is blue going to be anywhere else in the space.. or just the breakfast bar?

There seems to be quite a lot going on in terms of textures and patterns so it maybe good to get some better idea of how it will all look. If you are not using a kitchen company who would do some 3D renders, we offer a 3D render package which you maybe interested in to get an idea of how it will all look before you purchase. Please feel free to drop me a message if you want some more details on that.

If not please do keep us informed as I would love to see how it turns out.

All the best,

Gina
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We are currently extending our 1960's red brick semi creating a large open plan family kitchen/living space. We are reusing our shaker style cream kitchen cupboards and oak work top but adding to it. I am leaning towards an industrial/retro look with greys, deep blue and (because of cupboards) cream. Any advice on how to create such a style? I am thinking breakfast bar in blue, off white Quartz top, antique brass kitchen handles and pendant lights, grey tiles, charcoal Windows and grey exposed steel beams. Would antique brass (as an alternative to copper) work with this look? Any suggestions appreciated!! :)
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Agree with above comment, that I think you can work with the existing units until you have the budget to replace them, just give them a good clean with sugar soap, take the handles off and spray paint them in Matt black. Easy!. For me it’s the flooring and worktop that need attention. Replace flooring with a concrete effect vinyl or if you you’re painting the units then a rustic wood effect would look nice. Worktop has seen better days, at the very least put a metal end cap (not sure of correct term) at the end where it’s worn away. Tiles can be replaced/ painted, I wouldn’t expose brick behind a work surface tho because of food spills, nightmare cleaning etc. plus you could use brick effect wallpaper elsewhere in the kitchen perhaps? Some rustic plank shelves would look great instead of the wall cabinet. Hang them with simple brackets upside down for a more modern look, maybe include an under shelf wine glass rack. Use hanging racks for utensils, pots and pans etc. Lighting is also important, maybe use some metal pipes with dangly Edison bulbs. Anyway here’s some photos for inspiration (click to enlarge).
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We will keep experimenting! We do have a nice mid century armchair that fitted in the original layout (currently being ureupholstered so not in the photo) so when we get that back I can see whether it would still fit or if it pulls together the original layout better. I think the long coffee table is too big for the room, so I will have a search for something similar but a bit shorter. The curtains we have are half see through, so close to Marina's suggestion (hard to see from photos). Plants are a problem with the bunnies. We used to have lots more in this room but there were too many "accidents"! With the sofa in the new position they can jump onto the dresser so we have to keep that plant free in current layout. Could look into some good quality artificial plants to compliment the real ones on the shelf. Any ideas on how to keep the TV from being too obtrusive? I'm not a fan of having all the furniture pointing towards the TV as the focal point as we only use it occasionally and would rather have a room that is more set up for entertaining- although it is difficult with a small flat!
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Jonathan
7 years ago
Sorry- I think this doesn't do what you want it to because the original kitchen isn't industrial.
Can you replace the doors and worktop?
For an industrial look you need (in my opinion) flat fronted doors with either chunky handles, handless doors or sleek steel handles. I think the worktop should be concrete colours or metal, or any battered wood or stone.
PRO
AlenaCDesign
7 years ago
Hi Layla! You've got a very interesting project! It sounds like you have a right idea what to do. To be honest, this style industrial and especially in mix with retro can be hard to recreate not being professional. But the best advice I can give you - try to keep it simple, don't try to mix too many shades and colour tones. Add more textures and details in accessories! Than more colours you have to mix than harder it will be to balance all together. Blue is gorgeous but still too many colours around - cream, grey, white, brown wood, blue, copper...surely i missed something! If you like to highlight your breakfast bar by making it blue, may be at least to use similar worktop as in the kitchen? What finishing do you plan to use for walls?

Industrial loves brick, concrete, bare pipes, wires. Retro - clutter free space, funky colours, old look furniture and appliances. How much if each style would you like to bring in? which style is dominant?
Layla Shkoukani
Original Author
7 years ago
Oh boy! Lots of food for thought there. Thank you so much for all that. All very useful and I think perhaps I need to go away and chew on it all and think about what it is I actually want. I really would only want a touch of industrial in things like lighting, bar stools, some brass accessories and the exposed beams as I think the look can be quite cold and dark looking (?) I thought perhaps the deep blue, oak and cream would keep things warmer. I will def scrap the white Quartz idea. Trying to pull too many ideas together I realise, so will keep thinking! Thanks again :)
PRO
The Lighting Company
7 years ago
The Industrial look is bang on trend at the moment. However don't forget to warm up those dark colours with some some industrial look lighting. Copper or other metal tones combined with glass will go well with the blue and exposed brick idea

https://www.lightingcompany.co.uk/search/industrial-lighting

or perhaps just a simple lightbulb idea!

Good Luck. It will all come together, it jut seems like alot of big decisions to make all at once doesn't it?!
Elliott Cook
7 years ago
Layla, sounds VERY interesting, give us a call if you're interested in taking part in a BRAND NEW ITV property renovation show! All the best, Elliott
PRO
Anna Siodelska
7 years ago
Hi

You might want to add some impressive 3D wall art like my Large Industrial Wooden Wall Clocks. All of my clocks are handcrafted therefore unique and full of character - would look amazing as a centrepiece in industrial interiors.

There is many more designs available on my website Peak Art Clocks including Giant 120cm Charismatic Clocks and Large Roman Numeral Skeleton Wall Clocks.

Thanks a lot

Anna
PRO
JW Bespoke Architecture and Interior Design
7 years ago
Hi, you have picked a great style, very on trend! Check out 'DeVOL' kitchens for some great inspiration, I think it will be right up your street..
PRO
Cabinet Handle UK
3 years ago
Do not forget about retro style kitchen handles:

https://cabinethandle.uk/cup-handles/
Ellie
3 years ago
"don't forget...." you're 4 years too late!

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