Obsessed with...Reeding/Fluting
You may remember I started this series earlier in the year as a means for me to process my current interior obsessions. It’s a bit like therapy for me. By pouring over and collecting images and inspiration of the very thing I’m crushing on, it a) acts as a perfect opportunity to research potential future projects, and b) it helps to share my obsession with you because it almost makes me feel like I’ve actually got that reeded glass shower screen….almost.
This week’s obsession is all about reeded/fluted/ribbed glass. Whatever you like to call it, you know what I mean. The type that The House The Black Built had fitted in her pink pantry doors (below) and then sent the Instagram interiors community into meltdown. But it’s not just glass I’m crushing on. It’s anything with that smooth linear look. Marble, wood, concrete, candles…it’s all gravy to me, and I’ve noticed there’s a lot of it about at the moment so wanted to share some of my faves.
Now, it’s worth saying that this style often, but not always, lends itself to quite a masculine look. I say not always because well, see the pink perfection above. It’s minimal and elegant, never fussy. I love how reeded glass has been used in this bathroom (below) to lend some privacy between the shower room and the rest of the bathroom. This is something I’m investigating as a means of letting some light into the ensuite in the guest bedroom without having to completely open it up.
This bathroom is all about that industrial luxe look with a bespoke reeded glass shower screen, marble tiles, brass hardware and a Kast concrete sink (more on them later). It’s actually still pretty hard to get your hands on a reeded glass shower screen. Drench do them and you can choose a frame in any of the RAL colours which has the potential to be super fun.
I also love the idea of using reeded glass in upper kitchen cabinets. Glass on the top cabinets means they don’t feel so overbearing, especially in a small kitchen, but the reeded effect means your shelves don’t have to be perfectly styled at all times. Frosting would have the same effect, but it wouldn’t look nearly as good.
I mentioned at the start that this isn’t all about glass. And it’s not. This kitchen is actually the reason for me wanting to write this blogpost with it’s fluted marble wall and fluted kitchen island. OB-SESSED. The bespoke kitchen forms part of the apartment designed by Bella Freud and Retrouvius founder Maria Speake in the former BBC TV centre in White City. It’s very pared back for me, but I swear to god Instagram is making me a minimalist. I jest of course, I will never be a minimalist, but I’m certainly finding myself increasingly drawn to a more pared back aesthetic. But that’s a whole other blogpost! Back to this kitchen. Again it’s super luxe but quietly so. I love the added texture that comes from the fluted wood and marble. I want to hang some sexy lighting over the island and pop a fruit bowl on top of that counter but other than that I love it.
Here’s that fluted marble again, this time in a bathroom. We all know I’m a sucker for marble but again the texture of these tiles is what makes this bathroom that little bit special. I tried for over a week to track down the source of these tiles and got as far as Turkey but then hit a dead end. It will be sods law that as soon as I complete my project, everyone will start making them, but for now i’m afraid I haven’t been able to find a suitable alternative.
I’ve been seeing a lot more unpainted wood kitchens lately, and we are definitely seeing a return to earthy, natural materials. My favourite wooden kitchens are always the ones with this added reeded or slatted effect. I just want to run my hands along it. Not a kitchen but the House Curious bar Scotch & Ted has this detail and this is one home bar I would have no problem propping up.
Then there’s lighting. There are lots of ribbed glass lighting options out there. Soho Home do the Art Deco inspired Leonard lights, similar to the ones below, which are perfect for bathrooms and bedrooms with their soft glow. There’s also a bit of a reeded finish on that very lovely vanity unit designed by interior design duo Arent & Pyke.
And in case this was all a bit too understated for you and you’re craving some colour, let me introduce you to these new sinks by Kast. Curvy and colourful, they are really raising the sink game. I had a fairly clear idea of what our guest en suite was going to be like…until I saw these dreamy little numbers.
And in a final flourish of colour, I spotted this rainbow Matilda Goad candles earlier in the week and thought they suited my theme perfectly.
GET THE LOOK -
You don’t need to get a new kitchen to buy into the reeded and fluted trend. Here’s a selection from the high street and beyond. Oh and yes I do know that £530 for a cup and saucer is very, very punchy…but it’s so beautiful I couldn’t not include it.
Beeswax candles x 6, £42 Matilda Goad
Vase, £17.99 H&M Home
Bar cabinet, £799, West Elm
Vase, £17.99, H&M Home
Champagne Saucers, Ferm Living, £29 for 2, available at Amara
Pendant light, £107, Clippings
Planter, £49.95, West Elm
Teacup & Saucer, £530, Bethan Gray, available at Artemest
Wall light, £285, Soho Home
Glasses, Ferm Living, £49 for 4, available at Amara
Sideboard, £699, Swoon Editions
Sink, poa, Kast Concrete Basins