Spotted! Denim Interiors From Around the World
No longer exclusively used for clothes, denim is hitting our homes in sophisticated and street-smart styles
It’s a good bet that you are wearing a pair of jeans while reading this – approximately half the world’s population is at any point in time. Every year, 3.9 billion pairs of jeans are manufactured in the global market, which is worth roughly $75 billion according to Amy Leverton, author of Denim Dudes. Denim has developed cult status in the fashion world, but now it’s sashaying out of our wardrobes and into our interiors.
Take a seat
The story of denim began in American Gold Rush territory in 1853. Jacob Davis, a Latvian-Jewish tailor, was asked to make a pair of trousers strong enough to withstand manual labour. He purchased denim from Levi Strauss, reinforced the pockets with copper rivets and, you guessed it, the first pair of jeans was born. Soon after, Davis and Strauss became partners and patented their invention.
Today, jeans have become iconic enough to be repurposed as statement pieces of furniture. Industrial designer Vedat Ulgen of Thislexik recycles these wardrobe staples in Brooklyn, USA, coats them with an eco-epoxy resin then applies a thermosetting technique to create lightweight, one-of-a-kind denim stools.
The story of denim began in American Gold Rush territory in 1853. Jacob Davis, a Latvian-Jewish tailor, was asked to make a pair of trousers strong enough to withstand manual labour. He purchased denim from Levi Strauss, reinforced the pockets with copper rivets and, you guessed it, the first pair of jeans was born. Soon after, Davis and Strauss became partners and patented their invention.
Today, jeans have become iconic enough to be repurposed as statement pieces of furniture. Industrial designer Vedat Ulgen of Thislexik recycles these wardrobe staples in Brooklyn, USA, coats them with an eco-epoxy resin then applies a thermosetting technique to create lightweight, one-of-a-kind denim stools.
Fabric furniture
Originally used for manual labour, jeans came to represent blue-collar workers. In the 1950s they evolved into a symbol of defiance and were popularised by the denim-clad James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause. These days they are considered sartorial essentials, with rare collectors’ cuts selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
This denim-inspired bathroom vanity features stitching details similar to those on your favourite pair of jeans. The vanity’s handles are also a reference to jeans’ characteristic copper rivets.
Originally used for manual labour, jeans came to represent blue-collar workers. In the 1950s they evolved into a symbol of defiance and were popularised by the denim-clad James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause. These days they are considered sartorial essentials, with rare collectors’ cuts selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
This denim-inspired bathroom vanity features stitching details similar to those on your favourite pair of jeans. The vanity’s handles are also a reference to jeans’ characteristic copper rivets.
Denim: the colour of 2017
The good folk at Dulux in the UK recently announced ‘Denim Drift’ as the colour of the year – a testament that a denim blue wave is washing into our homes.
Dulux expects denim blues to dominate the interior and fashion agendas in 2017, and has named this moody blue the defining colour of the year.
Tip: Can’t decide which blue to paint your interior? Take inspiration from Dulux’s dot wall and use a tonal palette of complementary denim hues ranging from muted and dark to light and bright.
The good folk at Dulux in the UK recently announced ‘Denim Drift’ as the colour of the year – a testament that a denim blue wave is washing into our homes.
Dulux expects denim blues to dominate the interior and fashion agendas in 2017, and has named this moody blue the defining colour of the year.
Tip: Can’t decide which blue to paint your interior? Take inspiration from Dulux’s dot wall and use a tonal palette of complementary denim hues ranging from muted and dark to light and bright.
Denim tiles
Can you spot the denim injection in this interior? Look closely at the tiles. In response to the current denim craze, Beaumont Tiles has released a denim collection of tiles that look like fabric. The tiles’ soft, textural structure and sheen evoke an unconventional but fashionable ambience and can be used on your walls or floor.
As well as the grey and off-white tiles pictured here, this denim tile collection comes in beige, dark and, of course, the distinctive indigo blue so characteristic of denim.
Can you spot the denim injection in this interior? Look closely at the tiles. In response to the current denim craze, Beaumont Tiles has released a denim collection of tiles that look like fabric. The tiles’ soft, textural structure and sheen evoke an unconventional but fashionable ambience and can be used on your walls or floor.
As well as the grey and off-white tiles pictured here, this denim tile collection comes in beige, dark and, of course, the distinctive indigo blue so characteristic of denim.
The joys of Japanese denim
Enthusiasts often praise Japanese denim above all other types for its thickness (which makes it more durable) and texture. Japan boasts a rich history of textile weaving and dyeing, so it’s no surprise that the country’s thriving denim industry has started expanding into homewares and upholstery. Here, a plush denim sofa takes pride of place in this Denim Loft in Tokyo, Japan.
Tip: See the denim wall art? It’s yet another creative way to repurpose old jeans.
Enthusiasts often praise Japanese denim above all other types for its thickness (which makes it more durable) and texture. Japan boasts a rich history of textile weaving and dyeing, so it’s no surprise that the country’s thriving denim industry has started expanding into homewares and upholstery. Here, a plush denim sofa takes pride of place in this Denim Loft in Tokyo, Japan.
Tip: See the denim wall art? It’s yet another creative way to repurpose old jeans.
Cushioned cloth
Here’s one for denim devotees who lament the loss of their favourite jeans when they reach the end of their lifespan. Denim jeans and jackets usually only wear out at the knees or elbows, so why not repurpose the rest of your garment if it’s still in good nick?
Denim cushion covers such as this one are easy to make if you fancy a DIY project and have access to a sewing machine. For a more subtle style, you can also apply a denim trim to new or existing pieces.
DIY Cushion Covers
Here’s one for denim devotees who lament the loss of their favourite jeans when they reach the end of their lifespan. Denim jeans and jackets usually only wear out at the knees or elbows, so why not repurpose the rest of your garment if it’s still in good nick?
Denim cushion covers such as this one are easy to make if you fancy a DIY project and have access to a sewing machine. For a more subtle style, you can also apply a denim trim to new or existing pieces.
DIY Cushion Covers
Blind ambition
Denim’s thickness makes it an ideal fabric for providing privacy and shade in the form of blinds and curtains. The windows of this residence are dressed in blue Roman shades evocative of denim.
Tip: Upholster multiple pieces with the same fabric similar to these complementary blinds and cushions.
Denim’s thickness makes it an ideal fabric for providing privacy and shade in the form of blinds and curtains. The windows of this residence are dressed in blue Roman shades evocative of denim.
Tip: Upholster multiple pieces with the same fabric similar to these complementary blinds and cushions.
Stylish storage
This children’s nursery uses reinforced denim storage boxes as a trendy solution to organising objects.
This idea works wonders, particularly if you need to declutter open (so visible) shelves as you’ll get to show off your denim-inspired decor. Extra brownie points go to the repurposed jeans pockets on the front of the storage containers for safely stowing little treasures.
This children’s nursery uses reinforced denim storage boxes as a trendy solution to organising objects.
This idea works wonders, particularly if you need to declutter open (so visible) shelves as you’ll get to show off your denim-inspired decor. Extra brownie points go to the repurposed jeans pockets on the front of the storage containers for safely stowing little treasures.
Denim dreaming
If you spend your days wearing denim and your nights dreaming of it, bedding like this might appeal. Denim’s durability makes it well suited to quilt covers, which keep you snug as a bug by virtue of the fabric’s thick weave.
In this Sydney bedroom, a raw light fitting with a visible cord complements denim’s industrial history.
See more industrial bedrooms from around the world
If you spend your days wearing denim and your nights dreaming of it, bedding like this might appeal. Denim’s durability makes it well suited to quilt covers, which keep you snug as a bug by virtue of the fabric’s thick weave.
In this Sydney bedroom, a raw light fitting with a visible cord complements denim’s industrial history.
See more industrial bedrooms from around the world
Deck the walls
As a sign that this coveted cloth is weaving its way into the world of interior design, denim-like wallpaper is nothing new. What has changed is the ambience of elegance – rather than rebellion – that denim is beginning to evoke, which this sophisticated bedroom attests to.
As a sign that this coveted cloth is weaving its way into the world of interior design, denim-like wallpaper is nothing new. What has changed is the ambience of elegance – rather than rebellion – that denim is beginning to evoke, which this sophisticated bedroom attests to.
Demin rugs
Have you ever wondered where all the pockets from old jeans go after they’re recycled? Well, this home gives us a hint as to one of their uses. This large denim rug offers an edgy take on traditional patchwork, which is normally found on quilts of a more conservative style.
Here, however, scores of denim pockets have been sewn together to form an expansive rug.
Have you ever wondered where all the pockets from old jeans go after they’re recycled? Well, this home gives us a hint as to one of their uses. This large denim rug offers an edgy take on traditional patchwork, which is normally found on quilts of a more conservative style.
Here, however, scores of denim pockets have been sewn together to form an expansive rug.
Tag style
Here’s a floor covering that collectors of the embossed leather labels found on the backs of jeans are bound to love.
Hailing from Stockholm in Sweden, these 100-per-cent recycled rugs and carpets are made from masses of jeans labels to create an industrial, patchwork effect.
Here’s a floor covering that collectors of the embossed leather labels found on the backs of jeans are bound to love.
Hailing from Stockholm in Sweden, these 100-per-cent recycled rugs and carpets are made from masses of jeans labels to create an industrial, patchwork effect.
In the frame
If you’ve ever been reluctant to recycle a child’s first tiny pair of jeans, framing these treasured garments could be an artistic solution.
Framed fashion usually works best with smaller pieces, such as children’s clothes, though an adult’s denim jacket can also fit neatly in a frame. Regular photo frames usually suffice for smaller garments, though you may need to use a box frame for larger, bulkier clothes.
Tip: When framing a garment, always use rust-proof pins to fix it to the backing paper or board in a frame.
Idea to Steal: Framed Fashion
If you’ve ever been reluctant to recycle a child’s first tiny pair of jeans, framing these treasured garments could be an artistic solution.
Framed fashion usually works best with smaller pieces, such as children’s clothes, though an adult’s denim jacket can also fit neatly in a frame. Regular photo frames usually suffice for smaller garments, though you may need to use a box frame for larger, bulkier clothes.
Tip: When framing a garment, always use rust-proof pins to fix it to the backing paper or board in a frame.
Idea to Steal: Framed Fashion
Hip (pocket) murals
This jeans-inspired mural brings a lightness and sense of humour to what would otherwise have been a dim basement. Used as a children’s play space, the wall mural includes painted pocket details – the artist even included some rips in the spirit of verisimilitude.
This jeans-inspired mural brings a lightness and sense of humour to what would otherwise have been a dim basement. Used as a children’s play space, the wall mural includes painted pocket details – the artist even included some rips in the spirit of verisimilitude.
Denim do-over
Want to incorporate denim into your interior but can’t decide on a single feature? There’s no need to stick to just one, which this bedroom in the UK proves. Here, indigo dominates the accent wall, light fittings, bed, sofa and wardrobe in perfect concert without weighing down the room’s ambience, thanks to the strong injections of white.
Want to incorporate denim into your interior but can’t decide on a single feature? There’s no need to stick to just one, which this bedroom in the UK proves. Here, indigo dominates the accent wall, light fittings, bed, sofa and wardrobe in perfect concert without weighing down the room’s ambience, thanks to the strong injections of white.
Camp culture
When we consider that denim was originally used to make tents and other industrial goods, this secluded nook marks a point where we’ve come full circle in the fabric’s history. We can only guess what is yet to come, though we won’t be surprised if more denim interiors surface in the future.
Tell us
How would you like to use denim in your home? Upload photos of your designs and share your ideas – join the conversation… and the history.
More
Browse more decorating stories
When we consider that denim was originally used to make tents and other industrial goods, this secluded nook marks a point where we’ve come full circle in the fabric’s history. We can only guess what is yet to come, though we won’t be surprised if more denim interiors surface in the future.
Tell us
How would you like to use denim in your home? Upload photos of your designs and share your ideas – join the conversation… and the history.
More
Browse more decorating stories
Before the first pair of jeans was made, denim was used for wagon covers, tents and horse blankets, so it’s fitting that this distinctive cotton cloth is now creeping into the world of interior design. The upholstered denim blue chairs in this Clovelly home in Sydney by Brett Mickan Interior Design give a proud nod to the origins of denim culture, which are rooted in industrial design.