Today I’m excited to welcome guest blogger Kim Barnes to Mirror80. Here on the blog, we spend a lot of time focusing on ’80s Deco, Neon Noir and other styles from the Decade of Decadence, but today Kim takes a refreshing perspective by shining the spotlight on ’70s/’80s industrial design and how we can get the look at home! I love her unique perspective, and I’m thrilled that she’s sharing her design expertise with us today. Take it away, Kim…
First of all, I am honored to be guest writing for Mirror 80! Retro design holds a special place in my heart. Today, I would like to share my love of retro industrial design, along with a dining room design that I feel creates that look through the use of clean lines and bright colors. It is inspired by the industrial aspects of the Pompidou Centre in Paris, France (which opened in 1977).
If you visit Paris, one of the must-see museums is the Pompidou Centre. I had the opportunity to see this wonderful industrial building, and I have to say that the exterior is hard to miss. Glass is enveloped by steel threaded with brightly-colored pipes.
photo by Hal Werner
The steel exterior of the Pompidou Centre is not only functional by providing support to the building, but also a visual maze of zig-zags. Striking blue, red, green, and yellow pipes add interest.
photo by Hal Werner
What might look like a bright red slide from the outside is actually a series of escalators and walkways inside. Again we see an emphasis on function, while using bright and playful color.
Industrial Dining
You can create a look inspired by the Pompidou Centre. The following interior selections capture the modern, playful look with chrome, glass, and color.
DESIGN SOURCES:
1. A pair of pendant lights in vivid yellow would fit well over the rectangular table, and the seller on Etsy says that they are authentically ’80s!
2. Checking the time is so much fun with this clock! You won’t miss this color inspiration in the Pompidou Centre.
3. The top of this glass table mimics the glass walls beneath the steel and colored pipes of the Pompidou Centre. Chrome legs imitate the steel exterior.
4. Like the Pompidou Centre, the design of these chairs puts function first, with playful color options. The colors bring this look to life!
Thanks to Hal Werner for providing a few of his photos. Check out more of his photography on Instagram and Flickr!
About the Author
Kim Barnes loves the ’80s! Kim gravitates toward architecture and furnishings from Art Deco to Contemporary periods. As an interior design student, she won a scholarship for a design study in London and Paris where she and other students visited textile producers, design studios, and as many of the top museums as the schedule would allow.
Kim has a versitile career, including almost a decade working in advertising as well as work experience with an architecture firm. Contact Kim for services ranging from advertising to interior design!
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