Tough luxe: the new take on the industrial interiors trend

Tough luxe - it's a softer version of the harsh and cold elements we normally associate with industrial interiors. It bases itself on similar foundations but it has a more delicate approach and brings in elegance and sophistication without taking away from the more raw aspects.

Materials such as steel and concrete can be paired together with luxurious velvets and deep colours to merge two contrasting styles, creating a serenity that's perfect for large loft-style apartments or converted warehouses.

Tough luxe is all about the detail. When the setting is pared back and more stark, as is common with the industrial feel, small touches can be brought in to add a sense of luxury into the space. This can be done in the simplest ways and the smallest details can make the biggest differences.

The lighting

Lighting, by adding mood and atmosphere, is a great way to soften the industrial edge on a room. Buster + Punch, the cutting edge lighting designers, have previewed their two latest collections, "Stoned" and "Caged" and they add such elegance into a room but with the use of industrial design. The marble and granite bases make them perfect for many settings.

The bulbs used are all LED created by Buster + Punch, using just a fiftieth of the energy of a conventional light bulb and built to last for more than 27 years. Buster + Punch founder and creative director, Massimo Minale, says: “I have always been obsessed with new technologies in LED lighting, but when night falls it's hard to beat the ambience of candlelight. STONED is my remedy, a Victorian night-light for the 21st century.”

At £345.00 the Stoned table lamp is a great option for bringing tough luxe into the home.

The kitchen

Industrial style kitchens have also been popular over the past seasons. Materials such as concrete and steel provide excellent work surfaces and are a contemporary way of designing a kitchen which is as much practical as it is aesthetically pleasing. After 25 years of working with wood, Plain English has launched a new range of kitchen cupboards, only this time they are made of metal. Creating a beautiful contemporary look they have used curved steel handles to bring an elegance to this industrial design.

The tallboy

Found by expert curators at FindDesign, the Rankin Tallboy is a gorgeous example of tough luxe design. Made from wrought iron with toughened Georgian glass, this is a beautiful twist on the industrial trend. The ample storage space makes this practical as well as stylish, and at £499 this is a great price for a piece that will create an opulent feel in any interior.

The table

The use of steel, copper and brass has been prominent in the industrial interiors trend. The Oki table by world-renowned designer Walter Knoll uses these materials but the elegance of the shape softens the otherwise sharp edge. The rounded corners are subtle but help to add a beautiful finesse to a room. It is details like this which define the look.

The candelabra

Tough luxe can also be added into rooms in unusual and different ways. This playful candelabra by designer Nick Fraser uses brass pipe fittings uniquely and elegantly. It can be purchased from Wolf and Badger for £65.

The pendant light

This beautifully chic pendant light embodies the look perfectly. The use of brass and the exposed filament bring out the industrial side but the attention to detail to the design and shape merge in a sophistication which creates a centrepiece of a room which suits many styles. It is created by Mullan Lighting Design and is available on Clippings.com for £115.00.

You can stay current with industrial interiors by embracing the warmer tones of tough luxe. Remember, the smallest details can make the biggest difference.

Roddy Clarke is a Pop Up store and interior stylist and founder of Concept Creatives. Email him at roddy@conceptcreatives.com or follow him on Instagram @conceptsbyconcept