home: trend [ Rustic Utilitarian ]

Taking a slightly softer approach to the Industrial trend of last year, Rustic Utilitarian focuses on worn and textural finishes – combining hard working materials with a soft colour pallete.
In the 1900s utilitarian design was created for use rather than beauty, but now things have changed.
For example the practical use of enamel-coated tableware and light shades has now become desirable for the home as objects of beauty, but still maintaining the usefulness if needed.
Another example of this adaptability could be galvanized buckets which aren’t necessarily used for carrying water anymore, instead used for storage or as a planter.
The great thing about this trend is that traditional materials are there to be used, whether you choose to use them for function, for looks or both, it doesn’t matter.

Guide:
1. Falcon enamel dishes – amazon.co.uk [ from £12 ]
2. Rug – rockettstgeorge.co.uk [ £80 ]
3. Bucket – labourandwait.co.uk [ £28 ]
4. Leather chair – johnlewis.com [ £350 ]
5. Pendant light – artifact-lighting.com [ £60 ]
6. Copper shelf – grahamandgreen.co.uk [ £39.95 ]
7. Bar stool – vincentandbarn.co.uk [ £95 ]

Mix wood, metal and leather on furniture and seat covers, softening the look with linen and wool soft furnishings such as throws and floor rugs.
Wall colours to consider are cool grey, moss green and cream, which work really well next to metal and wood tones. You can also add small punches of colour like yellow and red – achieve this with chairs, lighting and accessories.

A couple of shops who do Rustic Utilitarian very well are Labour and Wait [ step back in time to find traditional products, from hardware to clothing ], and Rockett St George [ great selection of industrial furniture and lighting ]