PHOTOS HERE: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1HR13DK-x6MxYhNhI78PewzFcpt7ac12G Brutalism's one of those styles people love to misunderstand. Say the word and people picture something cold and uninviting. What draws me to brutalism in living rooms is how materials like concrete, metal, and wood cut through all the decorative noise. This results in living rooms with furniture that has earned its place by being useful, which naturally creates these clean, uncluttered spaces that just feel right. With brutalism, the beauty is in the contrast. A massive concrete coffee table next to a buttery leather couch, or gorgeous vines and plants placed against a harsh exposed brick wall completely change the mood. It's about creating a stunningly raw space people actually want to spend their evenings in, and not just admire from a distance.
Brutalist interior design originates from an architectural principle—it's raw, unpretentious, and starkly minimalistic. It prioritizes raw concrete, steel, and glass over flourishes of ornamentation, not ornamentation over process. Its aesthetic tends to be monochromatic with geometric angles and textures accentuated by structural elements as designs. These upholstered elements - among the only soft and sculptural pieces - provide function in tonal expressions of charcoal, taupe or matte black (nothing light in tone). It tends to reduce a space to the essentials, yet still feels monumental (and thoughtful!) even when reduced to its skeletal elements. For example, in a living room, consider raw concrete walls and low-to- the-ground modular pieces and lighting (exposed bulb) elements in the space. Think bulky and squat - with natural textures - a jute rug, with polished concrete, distressed leather with crisp cold stone. Brutalism is not greyness or dark despondency - it speaks of depth, gravity and authenticity. It is aesthetic of minimalism that speaks loudly in empty space.
What defines a Brutalist style living room, and how should it be approached in design? Brutalism is not about coldness — it's about clarity. It's architecture boiled down to the bone and design that makes no apology for what it is. In a living room, that wellie is heavy weight, material veracity and no ornamentation.adjustIt's easy to romanticize the shacklessness of all this, to say that the right wellie secures a kind of vast absence in which anything might fit. Concrete, steel, raw wood, rough surfaces dominate, tone rules the roost- gray, charcoal, ash, tarnished bronze, occasionally olive or muted oxblood, for contrast without scream. The key is not to be dramatic. A description of Brutalism should never feel like cosplay. It should feel grounded — as if the building were carved from a monolith and the furniture had been taken straight from it. In this Des Moines home we took a 1960's split level and brought brutalist to life by exposing the poured concrete floor, getting a grounding scorching to the existing cinder block wall, and purely custom planning a slab walnut media console with exposed joinery. No trim. No polish. Just proportion, texture, and weight. Lighting is where a lot of people screw up — they go soft when they need to go sculptural. Brutalism embraces shadow. We have linear LED track lighting overhead and a floor lamp in the shape of a cantilevered I beam. Each piece contributes to the structure's dialogue with itself.
Answers from Peter Yera, Director of Design and Development at Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting (www.finearthl.com): "If you're looking for an ornate and delicate design aesthetic, then the brutalist style is not for you. If your goal is to a minimalist vibe with urban sophistication and rugged details, here's how you achieve the brutalist aesthetic. Aim for interior design pieces that are industrial, dark, and severe. You won't be using any flashy metal details or any big pops of color. Think Industrial Age with modern flair. To achieve this interior design aesthetic, start with the walls. Choose thick, gray concrete slabs, leaving in any imperfections- that just adds to the charm. For our clients who are looking to achieve the brutalist aesthetic, we recommend pendant lighting with dark metal tones of matte or brushed metal. Choose lighting with frosted, hammered or smoked glass, and textured materials including shagreen in natural tones of pebble, coco or black knight, or casted concrete. With lighting, the goal is to create shadows and moodiness; don't flood the room with bright even light. Floors should be concrete or medium to dark wood planks. Distressed elements are key to achieve this look. Choose carpets consisting of woven and natural fibers including wool or jute in earthy colors. Furniture including tables, chairs, and sofas should stay in the same color palate of neutrals, black clay, dark brown, and greys, with subtle decor elements including matte metal framing. The goal is to emphasize the texture of the materials in its natural state, rugged and raw. If you're looking for a minimalist vibe with urban sophistication and rugged authenticity, then this look is for you." Suggested lighting: Mirage 18.75"W Round Pendant - Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting https://finearthl.com/mirage-18-75w-round-pendant/ Image link: Mirage collection sconces and pendant lighting from Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/kodm2tgu7w2zsi4potil6/Mirage-collection-sconces-and-pendant-lighting-from-Fine-Art-Handcrafted-Lighting.jpg?rlkey=habac6g3xnacrvzza5ysfy7sj&e=1&st=1kbm4w26&dl=0 Photo credit: Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting Please let me know if you need me to email you the image directly. For further information on Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting, please contact Allison Brady at weisspr@aol.com or 305-968-2323. Sincerely, Allison Brady Publicist Client: Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting www.finearthl.com