Wrought iron may not have the class advantage, but it has always fared well on the chic and trendy scales. The black sleek frames coupled with bright upholstery for cushions, tablecloths or bedspreads, add youth and vibrancy to any room.

The look is still in vogue, and it has spread its influence from small apartments to the sprawling interior spaces of leisure spots on the city outskirts.

As more and more people opt for a second home for a weekend getaway in the form of either a country house or a cosy cottage, wrought iron furniture is taking over, allowing owners to keep to a modest budget and ensuring low maintenance over the years.

Leisure spots

?We are doing up interiors of a few bungalows near Vidyasagar Setu and wrought iron is the hot favourite in furniture,? reveals Indranil Dey of Irony, a wrought iron furniture company. It?s the sense of space provided by wrought iron that makes it a big hit for getaway homes, he adds.

?Iron has a very playful and casual feel that adds to the relaxed setting of a country home,? feels interior designer Manjari Sahai.

That?s why the pieces are popular for informal areas of the home like the veranda or lounge.

Its advantages over wooden furniture, besides being easier on the pocket, are low maintenance and easy transportation. ?Even if you leave a piece of wrought iron furniture without spending any time or money on maintenance for five years, it will still look as good as new,? adds Dey. This makes it a favourite for restaurants as well.

Best buys

Furniture designers are innovating to create multipurpose pieces. Take for instance the layered dining table meant for those with a small dining space. A glass layer underneath the tabletop can be used to store the food bowls during meals to avoid clutter. The usual range of beds, dining sets and living room furniture is available at most stores.

Add-ons

Furniture can also be teamed with accessories made from the same material. The options extend much beyond candlestands ? from stylish hooks that can hold anything from wall hangings to your tennis racket, to shelves that can be placed across a wall to be loaded with knick knacks. Some brands are even coming up with window grills.

Colour code

The brighter the better is the mantra when it comes to dressing up wrought iron furniture. ?Since the frame is usually black, it provides an excellent base for the use of bright colours in upholstery,? adds interior designer Gopa Ray. The latest trend in furnishings is loud and vibrant. ?We even get orders for cushions in two different colours for chairs of the same set,? adds Dey.

Price points

From Rs 500 for a medium-sized round table for the living room to fancy dining sets worth thousands, you can find something for every budget. Most well known brands also offer packages for the entire house, starting at about Rs 35,000. Price depends on the fineness of the metal and intricacy of work.

Pictures by Pabitra Das
Courtesy: Irony and Country Roads