Exposed brick walls are most commonly found in apartments formed inside abandoned warehouses and lofts, which has influenced our perception of look and feel created by this design element. With rare honesty, it raises associations with industrial past and therefore brings the luxury of authenticity to the space. However, having been so highly favoured by many people, it gives a very broad scope for creative new palettes and style variation that it plays part to. This short article will particularly focus on the range of spatial character that brick wall suggests as well as design strategies to achieve each one of those characters.
5 distinct interior atmospheres that love a brick wall:
Industrial: exposed and raw - unfinished but refined.
Here, structural and mechanical building elements that sustain function and intended use of the building are kept exposed. Large open space, minimal intervention, honest materiality are all true features of the industrial interior. Bold and unique interior objects (furniture, art, other fittings) are key to bringing freshness into this interior style. Utilitarian elements are celebrated by leaving pipes, ducts and other service elements exposed. Vintage objects can really contribute to the unfinished look of the space too, emphasizing the juxtaposing eras of both.
Bohemian with rustic elements: The feel that this style is celebrating is rather nostalgic and carefree with hints to romance. It is a bold collection of texture, colour and pattern. It is very proud of its seemingly random collection of objects on display, sustaining a very artistic yet liberal atmosphere. There is no one defined vision of a bohemian style, as more than any other style it is very unique and faithful to the personality and culture of its creator. Well-preserved existing architectural features saturate interiors with sensational moments and add more layers to our perception of that space.
Contemporary sleek: There are many streams to the modern style but they all share one common quality - a very well-found balance between neutral and bold. Minimalism is key. Contemporary is a more relaxed attempt to a modern style, where simplicity is not as enforced. Here, the exposed raw material may sometimes appear as a passive feature to the space, not in any case accentuated by any surrounding clutter. Often it might be painted over to match with the rest, blending it into the minimal context even more.
Barn / Country: This is less typical for an urban environment property; however, its raw absence of luxury and bare authenticity is often an inspiration. In case of a barn conversion, it is worth keeping existing structural elements, such as beams and walls, exposed. This way we accentuate the natural fabric of the original use. The space then can be complimented with either very minimal modern pieces or quite vintage and rustic - both will work really well with the honest background.
Tacky and kitschy IN A BAD CASE: In short, this starts to happen when it is falsely overused, and replications as opposed to honest features start being used. This is a no-go zone, just mentioned here as a reminder to look out for spurious excess.
3 worthwhile aspects that this raw material adds to the value of the space:
1. Experiential: Adds character. There is a vast number of types and range of colours of brick as well as a wide variety of bonds, that all give a brick wall its particular look and story. It is fascinating how wide is the range of appearances that can be achieved with treating exposed brick in a certain way and then completing the ensemble with considerate detail.
2. Time-related: not fashion but classy, so a long-lasting design. Wall paper, paints, porcelain tiles are all in a way superficial finishes, the range of which is unceasingly growing to reflect new interior movements. Raw structural materials, on the contrary, is the essential basis that is always present. Even though interior trends are ever-changing, such elements as brick, concrete, steel and glass do not respond to such fashions.
3. Monetary: value can be added by keeping original elements. Finally, the point which is in no way less important is money. Real features highlight the authenticity of a property, which has always been worth something more. Random collection of words here: History, craftsmanship, quality, longevity, character, meaning, tactility, layers and manifestation, but altogether that is what gives value, unites the concept and coincidently is a list of things the majority of us is attracted to.
Pulling together interior ideas for your own home is mesmerising, yet not easy. More often than not you will need professional advice to help you define the right path, consolidate your thoughts and preferences, or even specify the right materials to achieve the vision in a practical way. Having existing features, such as brick walls, can give your journey a steer and hopefully this article has shown you how.