Dare to bare..
There’s no denying, bare brick walls add warmth and character to a space and it’s an interiors trend that’s as strong as ever. So if you’re lucky enough to find good internal brick walls in your home, leaving them exposed is a simple and stylish basis for a room scheme.
But what to do if beneath the plaster your brickwork is less than perfect? Sourcing reclaimed bricks from an architectural salvage yard or re-using bricks from walls taken down elsewhere within your own home is a great option. If the latter is your intention, just make sure your builder is aware, so that they remove them with a little more care than they might otherwise and they leave them behind for you.
If you’re using reclaimed bricks, aim to source those similar to any exposed external brickwork for continuity – and if your aim is to connect your home and garden with glass doors, using the same bricks inside and out will create a seamless connection.
Teaming exposed brick with other raw materials in your interior, such as timber flooring or concrete surfaces will look grittily gorgeous and will bring about an earthy or industrial edge. For the New York loft-style look, Crittal windows and bare brick make a cool combo.
Where colour is concerned, neutrals and monochrome work well with brick – and leafy green is a natural partner. Interior decorator, Sera Hersham-Loftus, aka Sera of London, has grounded her beautiful boho space with a barely black dark and decadent ceiling; it perfectly offsets the warmth of the bare walls and rustic reclaimed floorboards in her sophisticated sitting room, while plenty of plants enliven the look.
At the opposite end of the monochromatic scale, a whitewashed brick wall brings rustic texture to a smart modern kitchen. Next to the smooth white plaster wall and blond wood floor it’s a design idea that looks both cool and characterful.
MATERIAL MAGIC
The exposed brick wall in this kitchen is glammed up with Magnus Hastings’ photo of drag artist Vanity Faire, aka ‘Dorothy’. Concrete pendants complement the urban style.
Get the look: The kitchen was made bespoke with a Miele oven and hob and a Samsung fridge-freezer. For a kitchen like this, go to Kuche. For similar chairs, try Alexander & Pearl. The Heavy concrete pendant lights are by Benjamin Hubert for Decode.
good connection
The huge double height Crittal-style windows offer great views of the garden. Using the same bricks in the kitchen and garden connects the inside and outside.
Get the look: The tap is from Barber Wilsons, made bespoke. Wall light is from Lampe Gras. The marble for the worktops came from Marble City. The table is from Belgian company Heerenhuis. The moulded plywood chairs are by Eames for Herman Miller, bought in the US and shipped over. The island is painted in Off-Black eggshell by Farrow & Ball.
BARING ALL
Bricks were salvaged from the demolition of the building’s interior to create the wall of the side extension. Similarly, the wood ceiling joists are left exposed, giving an indication of how the structure fits together.
Get the look: The Terence Woodgate sofa is upholstered in a Kvadrat fabric. The Crawford coffee table and Corona oak side table are from Swoon Editions. The artwork behind the sofa is Exodus IX by Marcus Lyon.
RUSTIC RESTORATION
Many of the original features in this French farmhouse were hidden. It was the owners’ mission to open up the space and restore it back to beauty. They spent quite a bit on the new brickwork in the kitchen to make it look authentic.
Get the look: The kitchen is from Sieline and the work surface is porcelain. The table is a French antique from Phoenix Antiques. The chairs are a Hans J Wegner design, made by Carl Hansen. The ceramic plate is by ceramicist, James Hake.
KITCHEN SINK DRAMA
In this dark grey kitchen, the exposed brick wall exudes warmth, while the roof light makes the space feel brighter.
Get the look: The Stanbury bespoke kitchen is by DIY Kitchens. The Island units are from Ikea. The tin tiles on the island are from Rockett St George. The dining table is by Urban Grain. The Mia Spindle chairs are by Graham and Green. The Olde Bayswater Blend brick slip wall tiles are by Brickslips.
LUCKY FIND
This amazing brickwork was spotted during the building work, so the owner asked for it to be left on show. It adds a rawness to this modern dining space.
Get the look: The Tulip dining table is by Eero Saarinen. The Eames chairs are from The Conran Shop. The candles are by Normann Copenhagen. The pink cupboard is painted in Cinder Rose estate emulsion by Farrow & Ball.
ALL WHITE NOW
A smooth plaster finish contrasts with the whitewashed brick wall to add an element of industrial chic.
Get the look: The Ercol sofa was bought on eBay – and its cushions were later reupholstered. Find Ercol sofas at John Lewis. This is the Perfect Day cushion by Jessica Zoob for Black Edition by Romo. The mop and bucket are from Cox & Cox. The clock is from The French House. This is a stretched-canvas print of Eat, Halloran Springs by Christopher Griffith at Surface View.
BOHO LUXE
Designed by interior decorator, Sera Hersham-Loftus, this beautiful home is hard to categorise. Sophisticated bohemian comes close, but in truth it’s a lot more decadent, sexy and exotic than that. To keep the look creative rather than confused, Sera artfully employs colour, with a dark ceiling to ground the space. Exposed brick and reclaimed wooden flooring create a handsome, earthy backdrop, too.
Get the look: Fibreglass shell lights, from 1950s. Green armchairs, sofa and stools, all Sera of London Privee. Ceiling in Off Black Estate Emulsion, Farrow & Ball.
