TRENDING: Industrial Modern Design

I recently visited the gift show at the Javits Center in New York City. For those of you who don’t know, the gift show is where buyers for stores as well as designers go to shop for everything from jewelry and kids toys through to furniture and home accessories. Most vendors show the latest trends in the market such as sustainable furniture, modern styles and more.

One  trend I see becoming more and more popular across the country and not just urban areas, is this mix of  industrial modern and salvaged materials. A lot of reclaimed woods mixed with metals and machine parts for example. Here are two company’s that I saw at the show displaying this type of style.

Four Hands Furniture

Sputnik Stools - Environment Furniture

This style is not only coming through in home furnishings, but jewelry and personal accessories as well.

Ku Jewelry - Handmade in Brooklyn, NY

I can’t help but think there is some influence to this style from the Arts and Crafts period of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The Arts and Crafts movement was a reaction to overly decorated, and often, poorly manufactured products and design. This movement became a way to celebrate the craftsman ship and quality of furniture, interiors and more, by not hiding it, but displaying it proudly  in the details.

The Gable House - Greene and Greene Architects

In our case, I think this modern yet rough and industrial style it is a reaction to our slick, very tech world (think ipad) that we live in now. Our world is becoming more and more virtual, computerized and even sanitized. This use of rough metals, unfinished woods and old fashioned or vintage parts is a way to celebrate something that feels tangible, authentic and good old-fashioned hands on. Most of them are handmade in the USA and the detail of the craftsmanship of these items is celebrated throughout the pieces. There is nothing slick or ‘virtual’ in feeling reflected in this style yet at the same time, it has a modern feel that is of the times.