Industrial Style

By Fiona Evans, Limited Editions

Concrete doesn't have to be ugly!

Who would have thought that concrete, corrugated iron and rusty metalwork could be beautiful, trendy and downright chic? Yet interiors incorporating Industrial Style using such raw elements can be exciting and inspirational. It's a look borne from warehouse and factory life where hard lines, exposed surfaces, function and utility ruled. Stripping the building to its bare bones and leaving nothing to the imagination is the key and philosophy. Hard lines generated from concrete beams and metal posts, reclaimed wooden boards, exposed brickwork juxtaposed with corrugated iron, metal furnishings and salvaged items resurrected from scrapyards create an interior which is fabulous, balanced and atmospheric. Add a neutral backdrop of greys, exposed brickwork and perhaps a few statement punches of colour. A large factory window will illuminate the space with plenty of natural light broken up by shadows created by the window framework. A funky spiral staircase composed of scaffolding and metal steps adds wow factor.

Take industrial elements  such as concrete floors or walls, exposed or painted floorboards, metal and glass pendant lighting, cables, exposed painted pipes and chunky Victorian radiators. The style incorporates furnishings such as metal cabinets (factory lockers would be great), up-cycled objects, for instance a sink made from an old cold water tank, salvaged wood units, leather and chrome seating from old cars and large vintage clocks. Inspirational furnishings that were once only functional like  vintage shop drawer units or old work benches added to the design creates a cutting edge interior. Industrial Style adds weight to the already popular trend of up-cycling and crosses all budgets. It's a style that wouldn't appeal to all but one which I personally love and could have a lot of fun with, re-using and turning something originally considered utilitarian and boring into one of beauty.

To achieve full on Industrial detail, ideally a suitable building would be required  such as a loft space in a disused factory, but here are some ideas you could take to use in your home especially the kitchen and bathroom if you want to take a step or two towards the style :-

Kitchen:

• If you were starting from scratch then concrete is a serious option, perhaps a work surface or floor.
• White metro wall tiles.
• Metal shelving with vintage supports instead of wall cupboards.
• An island feature, perhaps a vintage shop unit with lots of drawers or similar (if you're lucky enough to find one).
• Metal chairs or stools around the island.
• Chunky Victorian re-conditioned radiators.
• Metal pendant lights such as lanterns, a feature chandelier or exposed designer bulbs.
• Rustic metal baskets for storage within the island.
• Pale grey painted walls.
• A chalk board.
• Use drainpipes to store wine bottles.

Bathroom:

• White metro wall tiles.
• Vintage bevelled mirrors hung on chains.
• Chunky Victorian radiator.
• Wall mounted vintage taps.
• Exposed painted pipes.
• A vintage wooden ladder to hang towels.

New cricket pavilion opens at Cuckfield Park

A new chapter in the history of Cuckfield Cricket Club began last month with the official opening of the pavilion extension.

Three spacious new changing rooms have been added to the club pavilion at Cuckfield Park, funded with a grant from the English and Welsh Cricket Board and a generous legacy from Diana Cahill, a long-time club member and resident of the village. Work began last winter and was completed in time for the start of the season.

Club President Geoffrey Longfield said members were delighted with the new improved facilities which are already being well used, with two of the club’s four teams playing at home every Saturday and junior teams hosting matches during the week.

“Before the extension was built, the cricket pavilion had two small changing rooms and a cubby hole which we used as a third one!” he said.

But despite the inadequate changing facilities, the village teams have thrived and Cuckfield has become the only club in Mid Sussex at present playing in the Premier League.

Players now have the pavilion they deserve, as the extension has brought the facilities up to date with two new ground floor changing rooms and a third upstairs.

Plans are also being drawn up to increase the size of the main function room. “It can get rather cramped when 44 players get together after a match!” said Geoffrey.

The extension was officially opened during the club’s annual Cricket Week - a long-standing tradition when visiting clubs are welcomed into the village and games are played all day, every day. 

The opening ceremony was attended by Sir Richard Kleinwort, whose family has a long standing connection with the Club. After mentioning that his grandmother had opened the existing pavilion some 20 years ago, he congratulated the Club on the extension and invited Peg Swain to cut the ribbon. Her father, Ernest Stuchbury (known as Stuch), was the landlord of The White Harte till 1962 and, amongst other roles, was for many years the groundsman. 

Shortly after the opening ceremony a finishing touch was added when a memorial weathervane was mounted on the pavilion roof. This was in memory of the late

John Mole who died last year after giving tremendous service to the Club and providing three sons who continue to play.

What does a doula do?

Ali Norell is a Cuckfield resident who carries out reflexology, massage and is also a fertility, pregnancy and birth support for women. Here she explains what it is that a ‘doula’ does...

The full story is printed on page 28 of Sept/Oct 2013 issue of the magazine.

By Ali Norell

Back in 2007, when I undertook my first serious piece of doula training in central London where I lived, the awareness of doulas (pronounced ‘doola’) was low, and their presence at births often questioned. Basically, a doula is an experienced woman who offers practical and emotional support to a mother-to-be from somewhere around midway in her pregnancy to the birth itself, and often beyond. Two popular phrases which help to describe what a doula does are ‘holding the space’ and ‘mothering the mother’.

We are not medically trained and, contrary to some popular belief, neither are we there to challenge the medical profession. Rather, we are advisors to and advocates for an expectant couple; helping them to navigate the often tricky and confusing waters of birthing and hopefully enabling them to feel a sense of empowerment and confidence in what is unarguably one of life’s greatest challenges and achievements. We attend births in hospitals and homes, for however long or short a time that birth takes; we are a constant presence, we never leave our client’s side.

...read more in the magazine...