Come on, mInd out of the gutter…embrace the nakedness of brick walls.
I’ve been in love with exposed brick walls for a while now. I love the rawness. Brick’s don’t need to be hidden under a layer of paint. Bricks too, can be beautiful.
My current module (completing a Diploma in Interior Design & Decoration for fun!) called Research & Apply Natural and Manmade Materials. In all honesty, I though the module would be a bit dry…however, I have been pleasantly suprised.
I never realised the various property differences between manufactured materials (ie. tiles, concrete, bricks, glass, rubber, plastic, paper, paint etc) vs natural materials (bamboo, timber, cork, gold etc). Strength, thermal, aesthetics, accoustic, moisture content, water resistance…all things they need to be taken into account when working an interior space. No point have a non water resistant bench top!
One part of my assessment, was to analyse all the materials used in a public space. I chose to do Mecca Expresso (the cafe in the bottom of my apartament block, which also happens to have been voted Sydney’s Best Coffee by Sydney Morning Herald in 2011 – click here for more info….I DEFS recommend you go there if you haven’t already)
Anyways…long story short. Mecca has a beautiful exposed brick wall – I love the rawness of it and the way it adds to the modern industrial theme. Brick walls immediately mentally transport me to a New York converted warehouse loft apartment.
To me, a single brick seems cold and lifeless. However, put them all together and I believe that (with some dim lighting) they exude a sense of warmth. They add a character to a space.
Mecca
Fresh. Rustic. Beauty. The addition of the lamp with well-worn wooden floorboards – creates a gorgeous industrial feel.
(Image via Modern Hepburn)
My two loves in one photo – tram rolls against a brick wall. No words can express the beauty of this combination.
(Image via Dooby Brain)
This brick wall has been white washed, so is not 100% raw, but still there is something so soothing and serene about it.
(Image via
(Image via Apartment Therapy)
Brick walls not just for the home. A fresh and neutral backdrop for a retail store.
(Image via Retail Design)
See bricks just ‘work’…even in the bathroom. P.s. love that tub!
(Image via Dreambook)
Moral of the story: Don’t paint over those brick walls. Embrace them…naked.