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| Design is Mine |
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| Decor8 |
Glam + Relaxing | Didn't think exposed brick could be glamorous? You thought wrong. To infuse some fabulous style into your space, bring in lots of white and metallic touches. This bed's duvet is kept clean, fresh, and white. An array of pillows in different patterns and textures, but in the same beige family adds texture and personality. A plush, upholstered headboard lends its luxury, as do the lovely rug and basket of extra linens. Metallic lamp bases, a reflective mirror-top and silver tacks add shine to the nightstand.
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| design*sponge |
Retro + Cool | Take your exposed brick back to the 60s. This Mid-Century Modern sofa isn't just plush and cozy (look at that luxurious velvet!)... but with its clean lines and rich color, it's darn handsome, too. Add personality with multiple different-patterned pillows. Top it all off with a display of vintage artwork and you've got yourself a groovy crash pad.
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| design*sponge |
Classy + Ladylike | Want your space to resemble an upscale loft a la Gossip Girl? You can dress up exposed brick to do just that! Look for luxury in your furnishings---these sofas are velvety and soft, plus their neutral hue flatters most decor and their sleek silhouettes offer a modern take on vintage. A fluffy rug adds texture and plushness beneath your feet. Linen curtains keep things simple and classic. A few patterned pillows and a hot pink throw bring carefully curated color into the space---pinks and oranges that are picked up subtly in the contemporary artwork above the fireplace. Pink tulips freshen up the room with a feminine pop of color. The coffee table and end tables are kept modern and sleek with glass or reflective tops and lean metal legs. And my favorite accent: the unexpected, rich purple of the metallic lamps and the matching abstractly floral shades.
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| Anthropologie |
Antique + Industrial | Exposed brick ideally compliments the eclectic but sophisticated aesthetic of Anthropologie. Choose industrial furniture: castors, galvanized metal, aged copper, and wire. Salvaged artwork, picture frames, and mirrors are perfectly at home in such a space. Opt for lighting that reminds you of old schoolhouses and factories. Work in lots of curiosities... like magnifying glasses, mannequins, antique medical objects, and other knick-knacks of bygone eras. Something a little worn out? Don't sweat it---wear adds character.
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| Apartment Therapy |
Contemporary + Handsome | Mimic a city slicker flat with this decor formula. Steel gray walls easy but skillfully add contrast to the warm tones of exposed brick and hardwood floors. White trim is the perfect touch that brings all the surfaces together. White bedding and ivory curtains keep things clean and simple. A sleek modern dresser stands as the centerpiece of the room beneath a sharp square mirror. And a round lantern hanging from the ceiling balances all of the clean lines with a little curve.
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| Apartment Therapy |
Crafty + Industrial | Using what you have and a little creativity, you can really make a space your own. This dining table, made using bold yellow sawhorses and an old door painted black, lives beautifully alongside modern chrome-legged chairs. A metallic-trimmed vase offers some sheen, while bright yellow flowers breathe freshness into the vignette. Short on art? Frame the brick! This antique frame, painted a cheery dandelion color, brings your eye to the beautiful brick. And a little owl sitting on the frame adds just the right itsy-bitsy bit of kitsch.
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| Sacramento Street |
Minimal + Tranquil | Sometimes you've gotta let the brick speak for itself. Less is more when you forgo heavy furniture and cluttered artwork. For a relaxing oasis, plop the bed on the floor and dress it in your brightest, crispest white linens. A tall, metal desk lamp with industrial sheen is the perfect bedside lamp on the floor. A galvanized wire basket turned upside down serves as a bedside table. Frame a favorite photo in unexpected gold for a finishing touch.
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| Design is Mine |
Feminine + Cozy | Exposed brick loves getting girly. For starters, blushing pink hues are very attracted to the warm red and brown tones in the brick. Go all out with pink. On the bed, on the wall art, on accessories. Amp up the feminine factor with fashion photos, floral artwork, and luxurious touches like plush pillows, elegant candles, and cute trinkets. An antique pendant lamp gives off warm, glowing light. And a black fedora carelessly tossed aside (like on the tv) brings in a surprising bit of masculinity to keep things interesting.
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| Source Unknown |
Eclectic + Vintage | Create a look all your own by mixing and matching against an exposed brick backdrop. A smooth tree stump stool/table brings nature indoors. A stark white chair lends its bold Mid-Century Modern airs to the room. A small, round antique table adds charm. Stacks of books are oh-so studious, especially wrapped in crisp white paper. Eclectic touches---like a dream-catcher (far left) and tiny collection of framed cameos---liven up the space with personality and conversation starters.
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| ApartmentLove |
Shabby + Romantic | Shabby has never looked so chic next to exposed brick! To avoid letting your shabby chic get too frou-frou and fluffy, leave the ruffles and lace to the bedding. A salvaged wood headboard adds rustic charm. A vintage chair acts as a perfect bedside table. A spindly ladder makes an ideal catch-all for books, blankets, and bags. Simple artwork, old signage, and a big single letter are lovely accessories.
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| SF Girl by Bay |
Urban + Elegant | Infuse a little museum elegance and artsy character into your dwelling. Pick up on the colors of exposed brick by limiting your furniture and accessories to similar hues---chocolatey browns, steely grays, antiqued whites. Blow up your favorite photography into large prints to display on the wall like your own art installment. Keep clutter to a minimum and lines clean and masculine.
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| The Pursuit Aesthetic |
Masculine + Rustic | Speaking of masculine, exposed brick can look oh-so-handsome when it mans up a little. Perhaps you're helping your boyfriend decorate his cave---or you like the sophisticated elegance and rough-edged coziness of a masculine space---check out this office. The old-school desk shows off a worn veneer and provides a huge workspace. Rustic shelving (benches stacked on top of each other) adds visual interest and storage. Books, graphic artwork, typography, industrial touches, and unexpected shiny metallic accessories are perfect in such a space!
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| Small Space Style |
Coffee House + Chic | When it comes to decorating with exposed brick, one of the best place to go to for inspiration would be a coffee house! Head to your local coffee hangout or check out this room for similar inspiration. Keep furniture and accessories as neutral---blacks like roasted coffee beans, toasted browns like baked goodies, and creamy vanillas like steamed milk. Pair sleek modern lines with natural textures and worn vintage wood. Put your clean white coffee mugs on display on open shelving. And keep the lighting soft for a glowing ambiance that you'll want to sit down and enjoy with a good cup of jo.
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| Pottery Barn Teen |
Young + Casual | Exposed brick can go with just about anything---even if you want a comfortable, casual vibe. Go for laid back looks with over-sized, super-comfy furniture, upholstered ottomans, and personal belongings on display. A trunk or big toolbox makes for great storage. Stack old books and display old signs for some visual interest. Pick one main color (such as the denim blue of this sofa) and throw it all over the room with neutrals that pick up on the brick---white, black, brown, cream, gray.
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| Scout & Catalogue BLOG |
Primitive + Modern | Get comfortable with this chic city style. All white bedding and an upholstered linen headboard makes a big, relaxing statement. Display fresh picked flowers in small mason jars. A big, unframed mirror leaning against the wall with give the illusion of a larger space. And an industrial-inspired, ode-to-Edison floor lamp illuminates the room with a cozy, golden glow.
So tell me! Do you live in a space with exposed brick? Love it or hate it? Struggle with decor? Is your head hopefully filled with new ideas after this round-up?! Hope so. ;)
