To be honest I really did not have any inspiration when creating this project. Most of my projects revolve around making my room cozy, and implementing things that I need or would like in my room. I think one of the enjoyments of the industrial aesthetic is that it is all about reclaiming old pieces of technology and reusing them in daily life. When I found these rustic grain pails I had not clue what I wanted to do with them but decided to keep them, as when I bought them I thought they could be used for something cool. I knew that I would probably use them to hold something, but other than that it became more hoarding material, and I was following in my mothers footsteps. I also had the reclaimed wood for a while. It came from an old abounded barn that collapsed on our property decades before we had purchased it. The main inspiration for this piece was that I knew my room needed plants. the industrial aesthetic can be rather cold and barren if certain aspects of it are entertained more than others but there are ways of brining a softness to the room while supporting the aesthetic. I think finding that balance was important for me as I hate bare aesthetics such as minimalism and brutalism because they lack in soul. I knew that lush greens would help bring that cozy aesthetic into the industrial aesthetic and also support it as well. The warm greens against the soft yet dark coffee browns would really bring a great supporting contrast.

The Industrial aesthetic serves as the muse for my upcycling project, and my decision to embrace this style stems from a deep sense of familiarity and a history of crafting industrial-inspired furniture for my living space. This chosen aesthetic not only resonates with my personal taste but also provides a solid foundation for me to unleash my creativity. One of the primary reasons I am drawn to the Industrial aesthetic is my existing familiarity with it. Having already crafted various industrial pieces of furniture for my room, I find comfort and confidence in this aesthetic. This familiarity equips me with essential skills, knowledge of materials, and a sense of design that will undoubtedly enhance the outcome of my upcycling project. Most materials used in the industrial aesthetic are wood and metal two materials that I have been working with since a young age. Another important reason that I chose the Industrial aesthetic is because it aligns seamlessly with the concept of upcycling. At its core, this aesthetic revolves around repurposing artifacts and elements from the Industrial era, transforming them into functional and aesthetically pleasing items. The very essence of the Industrial aesthetic embodies the spirit of upcycling, breathing new life into discarded materials and turning them into integral components of a cozy home. In conclusion, my choice of the Industrial aesthetic for my upcycling project is rooted in familiarity, creativity, and a profound appreciation for the ethos of repurposing. Through this aesthetic, I aim to breathe new life into discarded materials, embodying the essence of sustainability and craftsmanship in each meticulously crafted piece.

I have decided to create an industrial planter for my plants. My decision came from a simple desire, I recently have become a plant mom, and Love the contrast and energy that plants bring into my industrial style bedroom. I wanted something that could not only house my lovely plant collection, but also support my industrial style bedroom. In true upcycling and industrial style, I  decided to look around, I searched Facebook marketplace and found some phenomenal reclaimed wood. I was also told about this neat little antique shop down in Franktown that my friend recommended it was there where I found some beautiful, yet horridly rusted  grain pails. I decided that I could combine the two to create a beautiful industrial style planter inspired by some planter research and designs. With some shellac and hard work, I know that this will come out phenomenally.

The Final artifact came out spectacular. In terms of functional goal achievements, I think the functionality was perfect. The grain pails are supported well by the reclaimed wood and they all fit in together. In terms of functionality an important aspect for the plants is drainage which I was lucky enough to have found some grain pales that have holes in them, so all the excess water has a way of leaving rather than being trapped and creating mold or mildew. Overall I would say that functionality was definitely a success and it has everything a beautiful planter needs. In terms of artistic goals I also think a lot was obtained. I have never seen or found a piece as unique as this, and it fits the industrial aesthetic phenomenally. I love the way that the reclaimed wood had moss growing on it and I was able to keep that moss on it and shellac over it., It makes it feel as if I grabbed a piece of nature with me. I love the way the grain pale supports the industrial aesthetic and and fits perfectly with all the other industrial pieces in my room.

What next is that in the final project the shine became a bit dull, I think I want to refine that as it helps bring the texture and character out of the grain pales. I also need more plants as my jade plant became to massive and I decided to do a bunch of work on that poor plant.

2 Comments. Leave new

  • Hi Adlai, this is an awesome project and a great use of the rustic grain pails! The rusted metal of the pails really brings the industrial aesthetic characteristics to life. I also really like the plant selection you planted in the pails. The green contrasts really nicely with the dark wood. Do you have any plans to hang or mount this project on a wall?

    Reply
  • Hello Ablai!
    This is one of the coolest usage of upcycled wood I have ever seen! I think you did an amazing job integrating the wood in with the grain pails as well. Honestly, your project looks professionally done and the contrast between the rust and the wood is simply phenomenal! I have a question for you, if you could change one thing with your process what would you have done differently?

    Reply

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