Decorating Guides
9 Unusual Materials For Custom High-End Interiors
Express your personality more easily than ever with laminates, wovens and resin all around the home
The more unusual the material, the more personal a space can be. Unique materials aren’t just fun – they can help a home become a personal expression of its owner.
Some of these products have been around for ages but were previously used in different contexts or environments; today’s production techniques have helped simple materials achieve sophisticated designs. Other products are newcomers, still on the cusp of recognition.
Learn about the options below so you can make well-educated design decisions.
Some of these products have been around for ages but were previously used in different contexts or environments; today’s production techniques have helped simple materials achieve sophisticated designs. Other products are newcomers, still on the cusp of recognition.
Learn about the options below so you can make well-educated design decisions.
Three-D gypsum board
Fibre glass-reinforced gypsum board panels come in tiles and are screwed to a substrate. The seams are mudded and sanded by a skilful dry-waller to create a continuous effect.
Fibre glass-reinforced gypsum board panels come in tiles and are screwed to a substrate. The seams are mudded and sanded by a skilful dry-waller to create a continuous effect.
Faux leather
This leather look-alike rubber product has a beautiful tactile warmth and is available in three different hues: Natural, chocolate (shown here) and black.
Since it’s a rubber product, it’s easy to maintain and suitable for kitchen and bathroom cabinetry.
Browse through images of faux leather cabinets
This leather look-alike rubber product has a beautiful tactile warmth and is available in three different hues: Natural, chocolate (shown here) and black.
Since it’s a rubber product, it’s easy to maintain and suitable for kitchen and bathroom cabinetry.
Browse through images of faux leather cabinets
Stainless steel
Steel has amazing potential and can take on many different personalities, from modern and stark to tactile and warm.
Stainless steel isn’t used just as a sheet metal today. In new applications, stainless steel pieces are linked together like chain mail or woven into screens.
This photo shows a woven stainless steel stairwell screen, accentuated by LED lighting at night.
Steel has amazing potential and can take on many different personalities, from modern and stark to tactile and warm.
Stainless steel isn’t used just as a sheet metal today. In new applications, stainless steel pieces are linked together like chain mail or woven into screens.
This photo shows a woven stainless steel stairwell screen, accentuated by LED lighting at night.
Chain link stainless steel "fabric" displays the metal's potential softness.
Sheet metal has been perforated with a laser-cut design here.
Laminated glass
Laminated glass is made of various flat products sandwiched between two sheets of glass; it has a high-end, pressed look.
Coloured glass works beautifully with this application, too. Mirror can be used as a backing for an opaque, reflective insert in a closet door. You can try playing with frosted glass, Starphire glass or different fabric inlays.
Laminated glass is made of various flat products sandwiched between two sheets of glass; it has a high-end, pressed look.
Coloured glass works beautifully with this application, too. Mirror can be used as a backing for an opaque, reflective insert in a closet door. You can try playing with frosted glass, Starphire glass or different fabric inlays.
Laminated resin
Laminated resin is often used as a cabinet door insert or for lamp shades, but it can also be applied on a larger scale. The skilful mix of laminated resin in this photo gives a workspace the calm quality of a Japanese tearoom.
Laminated resin is often used as a cabinet door insert or for lamp shades, but it can also be applied on a larger scale. The skilful mix of laminated resin in this photo gives a workspace the calm quality of a Japanese tearoom.
Here's another great laminated resin application at the end of a stairwell. The patterned material filters light, creates privacy and adds a little mystery, too.
European laminates
This bathroom’s curved cabinet has high-pressure laminate fronts that show just how far laminate has come in the past few years. The Italians have been laminate masters since the 1950s. Today’s laminates mimic textured faux woods, have 3-D effects and come in a range of colors and metallic surfaces.
Unfortunately, not all of these products are easy to find if you’re not working with a design professional. I’d suggest getting samples from companies online and then taking them to a cabinetmaker who’s open to working with these products.
Textured glass counters
Laminated layers of glass can be built up to 4 inches thick, with a wide range of textures for the bottom layer. The texture on the bottom creates an appealing visual effect and hides any surface scratches.
Confused between wood veneer or laminate?
This bathroom’s curved cabinet has high-pressure laminate fronts that show just how far laminate has come in the past few years. The Italians have been laminate masters since the 1950s. Today’s laminates mimic textured faux woods, have 3-D effects and come in a range of colors and metallic surfaces.
Unfortunately, not all of these products are easy to find if you’re not working with a design professional. I’d suggest getting samples from companies online and then taking them to a cabinetmaker who’s open to working with these products.
Textured glass counters
Laminated layers of glass can be built up to 4 inches thick, with a wide range of textures for the bottom layer. The texture on the bottom creates an appealing visual effect and hides any surface scratches.
Confused between wood veneer or laminate?
Woven vinyl
Although it’s marketed as a commercial-grade product, Plynyl would make for great low-maintenance headboards or kitchen banquette upholstery.
Read more:
Material Combos That Are a Match Made in Heaven
Tell us:
Have you experimented with any unique materials for your furniture? Tell us in the Comments below.
Although it’s marketed as a commercial-grade product, Plynyl would make for great low-maintenance headboards or kitchen banquette upholstery.
Read more:
Material Combos That Are a Match Made in Heaven
Tell us:
Have you experimented with any unique materials for your furniture? Tell us in the Comments below.
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This woven 3-D surface wall treatment is available in many colour options. It was once only seen in commercial projects but has become more popular in residences.