Do you also love French design?  Here are some elements to put together a space decorated around the French style:

The Ever Popular Tolix Chair

Tolix chairs have been so popular, because of their industrial look, and it is a style of furniture that has kept up with the trends over the years.  This look keeps getting stronger and more attractive as the years move on.   The tolix chair was designed by a Frenchman in 1907, by the name of Xavier Pauchard. Pauchard used galvanization which is a process of applying a protective zinc coating to steel or iron, in order to prevent rusting. The most common method in current use is hot-dip galvanization, in which steel parts are submerged in a bath of molten zinc. Galvanizing is also favored as a means of protective coating because of its low cost, ease of application and comparatively long maintenance-free service life.

The tolix chairs are being produced by the top furniture companies and are being featured in almost every design magazine world wide. They are being photographed both indoors and outdoors, and being used as a regular dining chair, and doubled as a patio chair.

How To Get The Industrial Look For Your Home

There has been a revival with vintage steel furniture, with Restoration Hardware leading the way, fueling the trends for raw natural woods and distressed industrial furniture. Refinished vintage industrial cabinets, benches and chairs feature old time welded joint steel frames with distressed pine wood. 1920’s industrial two tier carts are popular for toy storage and laundry baskets.  People also use them as a decorative place to keep throw pillows and blankets near the sofa.

Transform A Kitchen Island

If you are hoping to decorate in this style, know that everything doesn’t have to be industrial to pull off the look.  A few key pieces can really transform a room, such as a chair, bench or table, or shelving, and small storage for the kitchen. Borrow ideas from Martha Stewart’s industrial kitchen.  Large tables with steel frames can be converted into kitchen islands, or desks holding computers.

Furniture such as desks, tables were made with casters making them accessible in any part of the home or patio. I have ordered several of these cast iron wheel casters for several of my tables.  Ideally they work with legs that are heavy, and large enough to hold the metal plate.  Sinply screw them on, and you have an entirely new table.

Spray Paint Vintage Metal Finds

Don’t be afraid to spray paint, a metal find from a garage sale, or thrift store.  Pale blue, and green are colors that look great on metal.  Add a bit of brown glaze over top of the paint to give it a really old look.  Vintage metal industrial furniture can often be seen with chipped paint showing wear and tear over the years. Date that vintage metal bucket, or chair with spray paint.  Rust-Oleum has a textured spray in aged iron, or autumn brown that will nicely give you the really rusty old look you desire.

Work With Metal Shelves

We see an ever growing popularity with shelving units. Reclaimed and salvaged wood has become tremendously popular for their primitive appeal to furniture. Industrial furniture was inspired by the Industrial Revolution and Railroad Eras, and today this furniture can be utilized in homes as kitchen islands, office desks, and sofa tables. Adding a touch of industrial lighting, reclaimed wood, and stone can give your home that early age-old feel.

To Re-cap…….

• Work with vintage metal finds, and use aging metal solutions to get the finish you see with the antiques

• Keep an eye on ebay for really heavy rustic iron hardware which can be bolted onto coffee tables, cabinets carts and benches.

• Age new wood yourself without spending a ton of money.  Use transparent stain to give you the really old worn look of wood.

• Work with grays on the wall and within upholstery to draw attention to the metal industrial pieces

 

Co-Op Decorative Iron Basket Set, Black $56 On Amazon

ZUO Elio Dining Chair, Antique Black Gold, Set of 2 $158 On Amazon

Tabouret Stacking Chair (Set of 4). $204 on Amazon

Vintage Reproduction Collapsible Rolling Metal Laundry Basket $129 Amazon

Rust Metal 3-Tier Basket $67 On Amazon

Distressed Metal Potters Bench $580 Amazon

Metal and Wood Shelf $740 Amazon

Decorative Oval Metal Basket, Blue $63 Amazon

Vintage Reproduction Metal Tray $45 On Amazon

Metal Rotating Vintage Reproduction Hardware Bin $68 On Amazon

Magnussen D2508-60 Stovall Industrial Gun Metal Dining Chair, Set of 4 $517 On Amazon

Industrial Gun Metal Stool, 26-Inch, Set of 4- $239 On Amazon

Set of 4 Stovall Metal Chairs $959 On Amazon

Gun Metal Stool, 18-Inch, Set of 4 $197 On Amazon

Set of 4 Stovall 18″ High Metal Stools $759 On Amazon

Wood and Tin 3-Tier Tray $63 On Amazon

Zinc Antique Style Mug Holder $109 Amazon

Creative Co-Op DE2757 Metal Vintage Laundry Basket with Wheels $165 On Amazon

American Drew by La-Z-Boy New River Etagere- Buy it for $1300

 Allenby Industrial Reclaimed Wood 4 Shelf Rolling Bookcase $4K On Amazon

Country 2-Tier Metal Basket, Rust $46 On Amazon

Haven Resin Bird Photo Frame, $8 On Amazon

Farm Life Decorative Metal Wall Basket $13 On Amazon

Co-Op Round Metal Framed Mirror $58 On Amazon

Round Metal Framed Mirror with Distressed Zinc Finish, Small $41 On Amazon

Round Metal Wall Clock, 27-Inch, Red $241 Amazon

Round Metal Hanging Bicycle Wheel w/ 8 Hooks $120 Amazon

Metal Jewelry/Towel Holder $60 Amazon

Every once in a while I come across a great seller on ebay, that sells all the missing parts I cannot find at my local hardware store.  Habby1563 is one of those sellers.

They sell trunk parts , upholstery tacks and tools, beautiful antique hardware such as leg caps and wheels, wood decorative appliques and more.

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