Chemetal is known for metal designs and laminates for interiors, with a collection of more than 200 materials to choose from. The company’s Waterworld styles feature a watery look that gives panels an organic texture. Made in-house, the flowing design was created while the team experimented with decorating their metals. “We did some pressing on a lot of sheets of anodized aluminum, and we were able to get that rippled, water-like effect,” said Geoff Schaefer, president and creative director, Chemetal.
Waterworld is available in standard finishes like polished, mirrorlike, and satin in clear, brass, and black options. The effect can be created on more than 35 metals in the existing line. Schaefer explained that he’s seeing a return of metallics with more sheen, which adds a brightness to a range of surfaces. “Waterword is offered in different colors, but the clear style has been one of the most popular. It is similar to a mirror, but there’s a softness, not that hardness, which can be off-putting and cold in a space.”
Schaefer added that unlike other metals including stainless steel, aluminum is easier to fabricate, which makes it ideal for feature walls, backgrounds, and counter fronts. “It is a softer metal that can be cut with woodworking equipment. So people are using it to make panels or installing it into a grid system. There are more uses for it, and it is just easier to handle.”
For those specifiers who want a glass-and-metal type combination, Chemetal’s Flux is comparable to Waterworld but on an HPL backer, for those more comfortable working with another material. These 4-by-8-foot sheets are available in Flux, a clear polished design, and Flux Smoked, a darker, reflective polished metal.
Schaefer noted that he’s not surprised that clients are requesting mirror-like effects. There’s a desire to have expansive environments and bring in natural elements, a result of spending so much time indoors during the pandemic. Because the sheets capture and refract light, there’s more openness. “Waterworld makes rooms seem more spacious. The effect is like flowing water, or even the sky, and you don’t feel like you are so confined.”
Waterworld is a departure from Chemetal’s Transparency, which was introduced last fall. The laser-cut designs on powder-coated aluminum come in a bright range of colors like Sky Blue and Saffron. Vibrant tints continue to be important, as people want to refresh their offices or certain areas in the workplace, but metallics serve as a counterpoint and can also be used with a range of other tones. “I am seeing a lot of silver, but brass works well with pastels,” Schaefer said. “The Waterworld metals and finishes balance the colors of the room itself. They don’t compete with or ruin the main color palette,” Schaefer said.
The aluminum also complements natural wood, or the real wood veneer laminates from Chemetal’s brand, Treefrog. Wood products are a staple in the workplace, from furnishings to flooring. When placed alongside a warm or cool metal, these grained surfaces are enhanced. Such visual and tactile variations have the added appeal that employees want as they return to work.
In hotels or restaurants, brushed sheets can be placed overhead and paired with LED lighting to create a dramatic focal point. “Again, it is really about opening up a room and making it seem larger. The aluminum is lightweight, and it can be put up pretty easily. So there’s an opportunity to use this in hospitality lounges,” Schaefer noted.
In corporate environments, greenery and Waterworld panels can provide a new twist on biophilic elements. Rather than just putting up a basic greenwall, Schaefer envisions a Waterworld sheet with cut-outs, where plants can peek out in an interplay with the burnished material. “Indoor plants always need a little more sunlight, and with the reflectivity, you are almost surrounded by it.”
He also admits that while trends come and go, metal styles are perennial favorites because of their versatility. Whether in full panels or accent strips, they can transform any interior. “Because it reflects the light nicely, it creates the illusion of more space, and that’s what designers are always trying to do.”