Amal and George Clooney's former townhouse makes industrial design soft and liveable – interior designers are obsessed

Urban chic spaces are popular for their clean and contemporary look. However, without the right treatment, popular industrial elements like concrete, steel beams, and garage windows can end up looking uncomfortably clean and sterile. In the SoHo, New York townhouse once owned by George and Amal Clooney, industrial design takes on a softer and more liveable edge. 

The industrial home, which is now inhabited by a family of six, incorporates elevated garage doors, glossy cabinets that lead into a fireplace, and a blue velvet sofa for a warm and cozy look. The living room decor created by White Arrow is absolutely stunning.

Designers explain that the excess of natural light in the industrially decorated space helps to create its warm feel. Vivianne Chow, interior decorator and founder of Viv and Tim Home states: 'The elevated garage doors as windows bring in so much light to the space creating an inviting feel to the main living area.'

Vivianne Chow

Vivianne Chow is an interior decorator and the founder of the home decor blog Viv and Tim Home. Vivianne, along with her husband, Tim, recently built a dream custom home and are tackling decorating room by room and sharing design tips and everything they’ve learned along the way.

Jennifer Ebert, the digital editor at Homes & Gardens says, 'Increasing natural light in your living room is a surefire way to create a warm and cozy atmosphere. It instantly makes a space feel much more welcoming. In this room, the industrial garage door is softened by the amount of light it lets into the room.'

Jennifer Ebert

Jen is the Editor (Digital) of Homes & Gardens. Before starting this position, she had completed various interior design courses at KLC Design School, as well as working across Ideal Home, LivingEtc, 25 Beautiful Homes and Country Homes & Interiors as an interiors writer.

Experts further admire the home's innovative fireplace design. Vivianne says, 'I love how they designed the industrial living room cabinetry and fireplace surround. The polished glossy cabinets that span the fireplace wall create a seamless and cohesive look.' Jennifer adds: 'The shimmery surface of the cabinets elevates the steel and brick wall with a bit of understated elegance.'

Soft furnishings like the velvety living room sofa further ground the look. 'The sofa warms up the space with an unexpected pop of color and the curved shape of the sofa softens the room's clean lines,' says Vivianne.

Amal and George Clooney's former SoHo townhouse provides excellent design inspiration for putting together a space that is both industrial and liveable. If you love this look, our list of interior design trends to curate your own look that is both stylish and warm.