A Midcentury Industrial Loft in Atlanta's Sweet Auburn Neighborhood
This loft update maintains the iconic industrial feel while offering softer, more personal touches and providing flexible live/work space.
Sweet Auburn Neighborhood
Putting Up Walls
Playing up the height of the room, fresh white planks were installed atop the loft's original concrete walls to give the entire space a bright and breezy feel. It also made it easier to conceal any new wiring for light fixtures. A pair of minimalist sconces casts a dramatic, gorgeous light on the homeowner's artwork in the evenings.
Triple Duty Desk
No small feat, this sleek desk pulls triple duty as entry table, entertainment console AND work space. The proximity to the loft’s entry was key. The area gets great light so it’s ideal for working from home and thanks to three drawers, the table was the perfect drop zone for keys and mail. It was also large enough to anchor a large wall-mounted TV hung above it. That’s a win-win-win.
Noise Control
As with any modern building built primarily of steel, concrete and glass, the interior could generate a fairly massive echo, especially when the homeowner had guests over or her dogs decided to say "hello" to the postman. Beautiful wide plank cork floors were selected not only for their color and softness underfoot, but for the wonderful sound insulation they provided the homeowner (and neighbors!).
Style Mix
Mixing a few unexpected and more traditional pieces in with the homeowner's more modern furnishings helped to give the loft a well-traveled and relaxed vibe.
A Nod to the Industrial
Space to Work
Flexible Gallery
The homeowner makes the most of fresh white backdrop by using it to display her extensive collection of art, photography and fleas market finds. Extra seating along the wall also serves as a place to display books or store frequently used items.
Functionality is Key
When it was time to rethink the loft's original kitchen, the primary focus was making it more functional and MUCH larger. With the plumbing luckily located in all the right places, the reno was relatively painless. Cabinetry in a washed gray topped with butcher block looks clean and inviting. A nice mix of metals feels right at home. A trio of over-scale pendants hovering above the elevated breakfast bar adds just the right amount of drama to the space.
Smart Applications
Tread Lightly
On Top of the World
The upstairs sleeping space is arranged to showcase the building's beautiful bow ceiling truss. The area behind the truss was painted in a blue ombre to give the illusion of floating in the sky. While the original building housed a cabinet shop and architectural firm, current guests love feeling like they're on top of the world.
Cozy Cocoon
Room With a View
The lack of a view in the downstairs bedroom was the catalyst for this large-scale photography being hung in the space. The photo is a memento from the homeowner's recent trek to Iceland with good friends. It holds a special place in her heart and was the perfect image to wake up to every day.
Pre-Fab Spruce Up
The homeowner hoped to gain a more functional closet space that could eventually accommodate two people. Rather than go with standard louvered doors, they took it to the next level by customizing several pre-fab doors with a sophisticated plaid. It looks super-polished and helps to soften the space.
Lofty Limitations
Of course, there are certain limitations to renovating in a big city and/or shared building. Whether it's a condo, loft or town home, parking rules, load-in limitations and noise ordinances will present designers, contractors and delivery people with a few extra challenges during your remodel. It's smart to budget a little extra money and time with this in mind.
