Western Living Magazine
Protected: Work where it feels like home, say goodbye to the commute
The Ultimate Home Design Guide: Top Designer Tips for Every Room
You’re Invited: WL Design Talks With Trish Knight and Nicole Varga
5 Incredible New Wineries Have Hit the Okanagan
The Grape Escape for Wine Enthusiasts
The Gin of the Summer (and Fall, Winter, Spring) Is on Sale
Dark Skies in Utah: Chasing Cosmic Connection on the Road
Cycling the Emerald Isle: A Windy Adventure on Ireland’s Greenway
Glamping Utah: Adventure Has Never Felt So Good
Trending Now: 10 New Furniture and Homewares for Fall 2023
Paint Trends 2024: No One Can Agree on the Colour of the Year
Discover California Closets – BC
Q&A: Meet the Texas-Based Contemporary Artist Dan Lam
5 Reasons to Enter the WL Design 25
Introducing Western Living’s 2023 Designers of the Year Award Winners
Think utilitarian for this design trend: emphasizing materials, textures and construction.
Seemingly at odds with the softer side of design, Brutalism is an architectural style known for its use of utilitarian concrete and steel, yet its emphasis on materials, textures and construction is also highly expressive. And inside the home, those blocky, monolithic-like shapes become art forms. The rough-hewn wood of Brent Comber’s Béton Brut collection—crafted from Douglas fir and scorched with black hardwax oil—plays into the perceived permanence of béton (French for concrete) while commenting on the transience of nature. In another expression, Lee Broom’s Vesper lights are inspired by monumental Brutalist design, yet they evoke stillness, reverence and contemplation.
Pictured above:
Chair (left): Handaxe chair by Seth Christou, $2,200, providehome.com
Rug (hanging): Laine rug in white by Sera Helsinki, $6,000, salari.com
Coffee table: Bates iron cocktail table, $3,222, onceatreefurniture.com
Floor lamp: Mei floor lamp from Roche Bobois, $2,075, roche-bobois.com
Chair (right): Béton Brut chair in Douglas fir by Brent Comber, $7,200, brentcomber.com
Rug (floor): One of a kind rug from Beni Ouarain, $16,900, salari.com
Karuma sideboard by Eric Jourdan for Ligne Roset, $4,860, livingspace.com
Vesper Duo suspension light by Lee Broom, $4,250, lightformshop.com
Mota burl-wood bar cabinet, $3,299, crateandbarrel.ca
Gulliver table lamp, by Pierre Dubois and Aimé Cécil for Roche Bobois, $2,020, roche-bobois.com
Arlo cocktail table, $2,553, onceatreefurniture.com
READ MORE: 3 More Design Trends You’ll Be Seeing Everywhere in 2023
Are you over 18 years of age?