Monochromatic color schemes: making just one color look interesting

Monochromatic color schemes use only one color from the color wheel. Interest is generated by using different values of the color from light to dark. There are other design techniques that can be employed to create visual appeal. These photographs feature a gold monochromatic scheme, and as you can see there is nothing boring about this room setting.

These photographs were taken at the JW Showroom located in the Marketplace Design Center Philadelphia, PA. In this vignette the JW Showroom is highlighting furniture and accessories from the Nancy Corzine product lines. The Marketplace is a compendium of showrooms for Architects, Interior Designers, and their Clients. It’s a local resource where the pages of Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Dwell, and other fine Interior Design magazines come to life. Many of the showrooms are to the trade only. If you would like to shop the Marketplace, an appointment can be scheduled through Hearth & Hedgerow Ltd. 

This room uses varying shades of gold to engage the eye, and also brings an array of textures and dimensions into play. The assorted textures absorb and reflect different amounts of light. The range of light and texture create a design that is just as captivating as a vivid color scheme. This gold room is rich and luminescent, but through the use of one color is also a relaxing and harmonious space. 

Dimension is created by using tone on tone stripes in mixed widths. The upholstered chair stripes are both wide and narrow. By mitering a skinny stripe on the accent pillow an optical perspective of squares is formed. The stitching on the leather ottoman top divides the rectangle into a series of triangles. The stripes and damask are smooth and shiny. The velvet on the sofa is soft but crinkled, which splinters the light producing a variety of shades from one solid colored fabric. The leather on the ottoman is matte and smooth, but the ottoman frame is a metallic finish. 

The pair of lamps on the sofa table are clear glass, spattered with a sparkling, gold, metallic inside. The cocktail table combines a gold leaf frame with a glass top, both elements are radiating light into the room. This setting is an excellent example of what can be done to design an interesting room using just one color.

For more information on using the color wheel and color theory in Interior Design review this article. 

Industrial Chic part two: How did this style of Architecture and Interior Design evolve?

Drafting Table - photo courtesy of Found Objects of Industry

Industrial Chic part one touched upon why we developed so many industrial buildings, the abandonment of these buildings, the loft living trend that started in SoHo, New York and other adaptive uses for these structures. Although many distinctive buildings have been revitalized, others were structurally unstable and required demolition. A property owner with a different aesthetic may opt to remove an edifice and put up a new building. When a structure is being razed there may be unique components in good condition that are very attractive. Concurrent with the expanding interest in the adaptive reuse of buildings the Architectural Salvage trade began to prosper.

Cast iron lawn rollers - photo courtesy Found Objects of Industry

Locally we have a wonderful resource, Found Objects of Industry, is just outside of Kutztown, PA. This excerpt from their website reveals the foresight of proprietor Leonard Schechter:

“In 1972 Leonard Schechter pioneered saving architectural masterpieces being demolished in New York City. The company he created became the inspiration for an entire industry of architectural salvage that today is visible on the pages of magazines like Martha Stewart Living, Architectural Digest, and many others.”

photo courtesy of Found Objects of Industry

Len houses his collections in the Moslem Farms Mill which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are no set hours of operation; you can visit the showroom by appointment or by chance. The Found Objects of Industry website allows you to shop and browse the collections at your convenience. 

Medical Showcase - photo courtesy of Found Objects of Industry

Numerous items can be salvaged: doors, windows, mantels, stairways, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, hardware, fencing, wood, brick, stone, tile, machinery, valves, gears, pulleys, church pews, showcases, workbenches, industrial furniture, etc. Many of these items were originally constructed of sturdy materials such as metal or concrete which is why they are still serviceable today. The brick, stone and wood that was used to construct these buildings is so aged and worn by time that it has developed a rich patina. The gears and other mechanical devices are often intricate or oversized, and can be used to create wall art or accessories. Using these reclaimed treasures as components has resulted in an abundance of creative projects and useful items.

Bronze Screen from the 1920's - photo courtesy of Found Objects of Industry

Concern for the environment continues to increase. Architectural and Industrial salvage provide sustainable solutions for several of the issues. If salvaged materials are used as a component in a new item, it reduces the harvest of the earth’s resources. It also keeps the reclaimed materials out of the landfills. Industrial Chic objects can be mixed with a variety of other styles to create personalized interiors. 

Hardware Store Screw Display Cabinet - photo courtesy of Found Objects of Industry

One of my favorite found objects is this Hardware Store Screw Display Cabinet from the Victorian era. This piece is absolutely perfect for designing a "Steampunk" home. 

Industrial Chic part one: How did this style of Architecture and Interior Design evolve?

Bethlehem Steel Works - Photo courtesy of Chuck Kuhn

With the Industrial Revolution society shifted away from hand crafted items produced in the home or village. Household goods, textiles, and a variety of parts and products could now be made by machine, in a factory setting. Mass production made goods more affordable, which increased demand. New mechanical designs were invented both for machinery in the factories and advanced modes of transportation. These changes supported continuing expansion and fueled the need to build more factories throughout the 19th Century. 

During the 20th Century America shifted into a post industrial society. Many formally developing nations are now capable of mass producing products and their wage rates are significantly lower. Transportation made it possible to reside beyond the city limits. During the second half of the 2oth century suburbia expanded and eventually the population of some major cities decreased. These are just a few of the factors that contributed to the abandonment of many mills, warehouses and factories. 

Eventually these abandoned buildings would be repurposed, loft living was one of the first adaptive uses. The loft living trend started in the SoHo district of New York in 1968. SoHo was once described as an “industrial wasteland” of sweatshops and small factories. SoHo is also home to an unsurpassed collection of 19th Century Cast-Iron Architecture. Early Historic Preservation efforts and local artists looking for affordable living and studio spaces converged. Many exceptional buildings in SoHo were preserved and loft living became a new trend. 

Artists were drawn to the SoHo area because the lofts offered large spaces for living and working. On the other hand the neighborhood had been neglected, so rents were affordable. High ceilings and large windows provided plenty of natural light, which is ideal for an artist’s studio. These spaces also offered improved acoustics and interesting structural elements, such as exposed brick. Some people choose to leave ductwork and electrical conduits exposed. The loft lifestyle has become so chic that some structures are re-outfitted for luxury living. The loft lifestyle is still pursued by artisans, but also sought out by urban professionals from all walks of life.

The lofts were only the beginning, since then these abandoned buildings from the industrial age have been morphed into restaurants, office spaces, retail outlets and a multitude of other uses. Locally we have the Steel Stacks campus, a renaissance at the former Bethlehem Steel Works. This site will serve cultural, educational and historical interests as well as the tourism, entertainment and retail industries. 

Check back in a few days for part two, or subscribe to this blog by clicking the Follow button above.