Industrial floor lamps, bar stools, desks and other industrial-style furnishings have experienced a resurgence in popularity with the rise of interest in minimalist design.
It's a look that celebrates the past even as it suggests vigor, productivity and brawn. The newly chic industrial style of decor repurposes the simple, sturdy furniture of an earlier world of commerce — brushed-metal storage cabinets and display shelves, task lamps and pendant lights with enameled shades, work tables with worn wooden tops and cast-iron bases — and couples them with aesthetic touches emblematic of energy and optimism, from bright upholstery fabrics to flowers.
The rise in prominence of the industrial style has come hand-in-hand with the residential repurposing of former manufacturing and warehouse districts throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. In many loft apartments created in shuttered factories, the architectural envelope has been left intact.
Industrial-style interiors feature elements like raw brick walls, exposed steel beams and oak floors whose history is written in every pit and gouge. Iron and glass transom windows give definition and interest to small kitchen areas anchored by kitchen islands made of marble, steel and brass, while taxidermy or vintage neon signs serve as wall art in living rooms dotted with leather club chairs. Patina is the keynote to a decor in sync with such surroundings.
On 1stDibs you will find industrial furniture designs that wear their age beautifully — and were built to last.
Vintage Brass & Hardwood Ships Wheel C1950
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Brass ships wheel with hardwood handles. Cast in pieces and assembled. Castings are precise and the brass has mellowed. Great nautical themed decoration.
Brass
English Type GSR Nautical Binnacle in Copper/ Brass and Mahogany Housining
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Made by John Lilley & Gillie Ltd., England. A standard binnacle form in copper/brass housing with arms set with red and taupe painted iron Kelvin's balls (the taupe one with open hol...
Brass, Copper
Vintage Nautical Spot Light by General Electric
Located in New York, NY
Vintage small nautical searchlight by General Electric, USA, circa 1950. For decorative display purposes only, not operational.
Metal
Large 20th Century Double Wooden Pulley Block Industrial Maritime Nautical
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A striking relic of early 20th‑century maritime industry, this large double wooden pulley block embodies the rugged engineering and functional beauty of nautical equipment from the e...
Metal
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
Large European 1930's Nautical Map Reader Magnifying Glass
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This European set of two nautical magnifying glass map-readers are quite unusual and rarely found. It is fully encased in it's heavy wooden and metal enforced box. Hailing from betwe...
Metal
Nautical Folk Art Hand Carved Wooden Whimsy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American whimsy with traditional 'ball in cage' decoration, all carved and whittled from one continuous piece of wood, circa early 20th century. The bottom tip suggests that this pie...
Wood
$6,500
H 10 in W 10.5 in D 8 in
American Nautical Brass Yacht Binnacle Mounted in Mahogany Case, Circa 1890
Located in Charleston, SC
American nautical mahogany yacht binnacle with a hinged locking oval glass viewing port, original removable brass side light burner with font, brass carrying handle, and fitted with ...
Brass
Varnished Ship Pulley with Varnish Finish
Located in Norwell, MA
Varnished boat pulley that has been polished, lacquered,and varnished. Two brass pulleys operate smoothly. X-126
Brass
$1,650
H 30 in W 20 in D 5 in
Vintage Thomas Walker & Sons Nautical Trade Sign with Ship Log Instrument
Located in Morristown, NJ
A vintage trade sign from the esteemed Thomas Walker & Sons Ltd, renowned makers of ship’s logs and chronometers in Southampton, UK. The sign is be...
Metal
Vintage Nautical Flower Pots: Folk Art Sea Shell Encrusted Planters
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Lovely almost pair of sea shells encrusted flower pots / planters.
Shell
$2,202
H 24.51 in W 38.19 in D 10.63 in
Late 19th Century Cased British Sailing Vessel Folk Art Maritime
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A late 19th/early 20th century cased display of a painted British sailing vessel, built by Joseph Packer, who was a carpenter in Ramsey The detailed s...
Blown Glass, Pine
$6,000
H 13 in Dm 11.5 in
English Brass Yacht Binnacle Mounted on Mahogany Rope Base, Southampton. C. 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
English Nautical brass yacht binnacle mounted on a mahogany rope base with an oval glass viewing port, gimballed compass, central carrying ring, and the original brass vented side li...
Brass
$683
H 5.91 in W 12.21 in D 7.88 in
Early 20Th Century English Maritime Sailors Gambling Game Box ‘Crown & Anchor'
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A early 20th century sailors ditty box, with painted ‘Crown & Anchor’ lid and original dice. C & A was a gambling game, its origins can be traced back to the beginning of the 18th c...
Pine
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.5 in W 7.25 in D 7.25 in
Vintage Large Nautical Maritime Brass Glass Ship's Hourglass Display Model Timer
Located in San Diego, CA
Very unique large maritime/nautical brass and glass hourglass. Wonderful dorm and design. Brass has a wonderful patina and can be polished if desired. H...
Bronze
Victorian English Nautical Diorama Ship Wall Plaque
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style Victorian diorama in oak case of sail/steam ship with small lighthouse.
Oak
$4,069
H 13.8 in W 24.4 in D 3.7 in
Nautical diorama in glass and wood case of a Brigantine signed A. De Gasperi
Located in Milan, IT
Nautical diorama in wood and glass case depicting half hull of a brig with unfurled sails in very well defined wood with cloth sails, signed lower right G. De Gasperi. Ligurian manu...
Wood
19th Century Double Sailor's Valentine
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Double Sailor's Valentine, circa 1880, a pair of handcrafted shell collages mounted in mahogany octagonal shadowboxes, hinged together and mounted with a clasp and a chain for hanging. This valentine features a heart and the message "Forget Me Not." The valentine is in great condition, but does of course have a few shells that have come loose over the past century and a half. The cases remain in great condition as well. Each Measures: 9-1/8 in H x 9-1/8 in W Victorians in the Age of Exploration and its accompanying Eclectic Movement embraced arts and crafts from around the world. Shell boxes are frequently seen, and even the odd shell diorama...
Shell, Mahogany
Impressively Large Antique Ocean Liner Air Vent, circa 1900
Located in Beerse, VAN
Meet the “Gooseneck,” once used aboard an ocean liner to draw in fresh air. And as it once stood on the deck of that ocean liner, drawing in fresh sea air, it’s now ready to bring t...
Metal
Binnacle Compass 100% Original condition
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique 100% Original finish Ships Binnacle Compass house.
Brass
Massive Antique Half Hull Ship Model
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A rare and important massive late 19th century half hull model ship of the steel screw steamers "CZAR" and CZARITZA" built by Sir W. G. Armstrong, Mitchell & Co. Builders, Newcastl...
Wood
Brass, Chrome and Teak Steering Column and Wheel, Norwegian, Midcentury
Located in Nantucket, MA
A rare find, this Norwegian teak, brass and chrome steering column with teak ship's wheel. Midcentury. The 12" teak base has been added by us. The whee...
Brass
Fine Pair of Antique Nautical Brass Bollards
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of antique brass bollards. A spherical top over a short turned standard and raised on a circular stepped base. Drill holes along base allowing to b...
Brass
Pair of Ship's Chrome Sampson Posts, 1970s
Located in Nantucket, MA
A pair of sampson posts, two large and one smaller. Chrome over iron. The chrome has been reapplied. Working cleats from a large ship. 1970s. These can be mounted on teh wall making...
Chrome
Very Large and Rare Nautical Brass Ship's Cleats
Located in Nantucket, MA
A true collectors item to find cleats this large in solid brass. Great patina from a very large, decommissioned ship. As of this writing I have two but am listing them singly. Just o...
Brass
Sold
H 13 in Dm 29.75 in
Antique 19th Century Hand Made Architectural Mold Ships Engine Cocktail Table
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Antique architectural mold in the form of a wheel. All handmade and entirely intact. Can be hung on a wall for a unique piece of industrial sculptur...
Oak
Very Large Chrome Ship's Cleat
Located in Nantucket, MA
A very large chrome over iron ship cleat. Great form. Re-chromed recently. As of this writing I have two. circa 1970s.
Chrome, Iron
Nautical Campaign Bench, circa 1930s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Nautical Campaign bench, American, circa 1930s. These benches were made for use on U.S. Navy ships in the 1930s. It is constructed of solid pine and galvanized metal. It easily folds down for flat...
Metal
Pair of Solid Brass Ship's Cleats
Located in Nantucket, MA
A pair of solid brass ship's cleats from the late 1900s. Makes a great door stop, bookends, maritime accessory or perfect for bicep curls. Nautical antiques on Nantucket Island.
Brass
Pair of Nautical Enamel and Chrome Ship Lights
Located in Nantucket, MA
Pair of enamel and chrome ship lights from the mid century in a great scale. Takes an extra large light bulb. They are priced as the pair but could sell separately.
Enamel