Interior designer Nate Berkus is known for his old-meets-new, transitional design style, and his taste in furniture is impeccable. His latest furniture obsession, which he shared to Instagram this week, is a one-of-a-kind take on stainless steel. This bent and molded French furniture from the 1960s is sleek and stunning, a welcome addition to any transitional space.
For fresh decor inspiration, Nate told his followers to search up '1960s French furniture,' and we followed his cue. The results did not disappoint, and it's clear that this era's furniture is due for a comeback. Here's what Nate had to say about his fascination with this French furniture trend, and how it fits into his own home.
'One area of furniture that I haven't really talked about on here before, but has become a complete obsession for me, at least in the last three, four or five years, is stainless steel, specifically molded stainless steel or bent stainless steel furniture from France, 1960s. There's the search engine [term] if you're interested as well, this console being a perfect example,' pointing to a sculptural side table in his home.
The console's angular shape allows for several storage nooks while still making a strong style statement. And its classic material brings a balance of old and new to a crisp white wall. With a glowing table lamp and stacks of aesthetically pleasing interior design books, the whole look is pulled together seamlessly.
'This was a moment. Picture Paris in the '60s and '70s – this was the rage. It was usually mixed, of course, with really interesting Louis XV, Louis XVI French furniture ... I love how this shifts the tone in a room to something really modern,' Nate says in the video.
Though the piece is undoubtedly vintage, it also feels modern and fresh, an indication of the style at the time. Nate says the look is 'very unexpected,' adding that very few producers are making furniture out of stainless steel at the moment. Usually, the material is reserved for kitchen appliances and workspaces.
'If you want to go into this kind of look, search French 1960s molded stainless steel or bent stainless steel furniture. There's a ton of it out there. This is obviously a corner of our own home, and I really, really love this piece,' he says.
Furniture from this era has nontraditional lines, eye-catching silhouettes and creative layouts that liven up a space. Though a bit industrial in feel due to their material, these furniture pieces are suited for a wide range of design styles.
To add a bit of visual interest and stainless steel appeal to your space, give this search term a try. You'll be left with a lovely transitional living room, with a touch of history to boot.
