Architecture: Bringing Out the Beauty of Bare Bricks
Give your plasterer the day off. It’s time to strip down to basics and enjoy the texture of uncovered bricks
From industrial style to country chic, uncovered bricks can be the foundation stones of a new look. Get ready to bare all…
Keep it uncluttered
Freshly painted bricks look effective in a small space, but this bedroom works because the whitewashed texture is left to speak for itself. Simple dressing and no artworks keep the space refreshing and clear – perfect in a bedroom.
Freshly painted bricks look effective in a small space, but this bedroom works because the whitewashed texture is left to speak for itself. Simple dressing and no artworks keep the space refreshing and clear – perfect in a bedroom.
Balance with gloss
Worried that brickwork could look too tatty? Fear not. This kitchen cleverly incorporates industrial elements, including brickwork, but balances them with shiny tiles and epic plasterwork around the fireplace alcove – a great example of successfully mixing architectural styles.
See more ways to create an industrial-style kitchen
Worried that brickwork could look too tatty? Fear not. This kitchen cleverly incorporates industrial elements, including brickwork, but balances them with shiny tiles and epic plasterwork around the fireplace alcove – a great example of successfully mixing architectural styles.
See more ways to create an industrial-style kitchen
Rough up the loft
In this loft-space games room, brickwork creates just the right laid-back vibe. Leaving bricks bare can be a good way to save on extra decorating costs in a conversion, and means your space has a different character to the other, ‘everyday’ rooms downstairs.
In this loft-space games room, brickwork creates just the right laid-back vibe. Leaving bricks bare can be a good way to save on extra decorating costs in a conversion, and means your space has a different character to the other, ‘everyday’ rooms downstairs.
Liven up an office
A slender, tucked-away office space is kept interesting with a wall-sized mural and bare brickwork. Equally rough-and-ready crate shelving enhances the look. Be aware that brickwork needs to be sealed to avoid shedding dust – choose a matt finish to bring out the natural colours.
A slender, tucked-away office space is kept interesting with a wall-sized mural and bare brickwork. Equally rough-and-ready crate shelving enhances the look. Be aware that brickwork needs to be sealed to avoid shedding dust – choose a matt finish to bring out the natural colours.
Head outside for ideas
Extensions can mean you have to sacrifice space outside. The designer of this slim patio hasn’t tried to disguise that fact, but made a feature of the contrasting, aged textures of the walls. As a result, it feels cosy and unique.
Extensions can mean you have to sacrifice space outside. The designer of this slim patio hasn’t tried to disguise that fact, but made a feature of the contrasting, aged textures of the walls. As a result, it feels cosy and unique.
Say it with stone
Cotswold stone is much loved for its honey-like tones, so this contemporary extension retains the character of the original wall, framing it in a glass box to let the natural light bring out its colours. It’s a good way for a modern extension to honour a house’s roots.
Cotswold stone is much loved for its honey-like tones, so this contemporary extension retains the character of the original wall, framing it in a glass box to let the natural light bring out its colours. It’s a good way for a modern extension to honour a house’s roots.
Highlight key features
This farmhouse conversion in Devon retained as many features as possible, but added very contemporary glazing and furniture. The central brick and stone hearth between the dining and living areas provides a warm heart to the modern updates.
This farmhouse conversion in Devon retained as many features as possible, but added very contemporary glazing and furniture. The central brick and stone hearth between the dining and living areas provides a warm heart to the modern updates.
Warm up a bathroom
There’s something very stylish about mirror on bare brick, as it brings out the contrasting textures. This spacious bathroom still feels homely and full of character thanks to the exposed chimney breast – complete with wood-burning stove for cosy bathing all year round.
There’s something very stylish about mirror on bare brick, as it brings out the contrasting textures. This spacious bathroom still feels homely and full of character thanks to the exposed chimney breast – complete with wood-burning stove for cosy bathing all year round.
Go for rough-and-ready
This Shoreditch warehouse conversion has left the brickwork in a natural state, hinting at years of wear and tear and the warehouse’s former life. A wall like this would need to be sealed to avoid further flaking, but the effect on such a large expanse is clearly well worth the effort.
Like the bare brick effect? Share your thoughts in Comments below.
This Shoreditch warehouse conversion has left the brickwork in a natural state, hinting at years of wear and tear and the warehouse’s former life. A wall like this would need to be sealed to avoid further flaking, but the effect on such a large expanse is clearly well worth the effort.
Like the bare brick effect? Share your thoughts in Comments below.
This is a great combination of timber, brick and glass, with everything in just the right measure. To re-create the look in a side return extension, ask your builder to source reconditioned bricks, or find a job lot at a salvage yard.
Check out more creative side return extensions