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Sophisticated Loft Living: Packing Big Style into Small Spaces

June 15, 2015

By: Beth Rucker

From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

Designer Caitlin McCarthy makes the most of the square footage in this petite LA loft space, combining smart design choices with effortless, chic style. The carefully curated home impressed Fresh Faces of Design voters and judges alike, who selected Caitlin McCarthy as the Overall Winner for 2014.

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Designers Caitlin McCarthy and Caitlin Murray

Designers Caitlin McCarthy and Caitlin Murray met on the first day of interior design school at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, quickly learning they shared both a name and design sensibilities. The two vowed to launch their own business one day, a dream realized in Caitlin & Caitlin, an interior design firm in Los Angeles.

Small Kitchen With Teal Runner Leading to Narrow Dining Room

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Galley Kitchen With Pendant Lights and Exposed Brick

This galley kitchen connects two ends of the apartment, and in doing so, remains flawlessly neutral and unadorned. A small patch of exposed brick adds character and texture to the small space.

Kitchen With Brick Walls and Marble Countertops

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Traditional Cook's Kitchen With Marble Countertops

Brick walls ground the marble counters and stainless steel appliances in this kitchen, creating a modern yet cozy chef's kitchen.

Small Dining Table & Mismatched Chairs in Narrow Hallway

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Narrow Dining Room With Mismatched Chairs

With not much room to spare, this effortlessly cool dining room comes complete with a small table and mismatched chairs.

Dining Room With Small Table, Mismatched Chairs, Floral Centerpiece

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Narrow Dining Room Bursting With Personality

A festive dining area with mismatched chairs is located just off the kitchen. Architectural elements, pops of bright color and funky antiques work together to create a charming, offbeat space for entertaining.

Round Pendant Lights With Brass Trim in Hall

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Nautical-Inspired Brass Pendant Lights

Large globe light fixtures are a great way to make a big impact in a small space. The brass trim on these have warm nautical feel.

Gold Mirror Beside Bed in Tiny, Open Bedroom

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Small White Bedroom Features Gold Mirror, Ornate Headboard

Breakfast in bed takes on a new meaning when the dining room is right around the corner from your bed. Thanks to a gold-framed mirror and an unadorned window, the tiny bedroom feels a bit larger and brighter.

Corner of White Bedroom With Gold Mirror, Ornate Headboard

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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White Bedroom With Gold Mirror, Ornate Headboard & Moroccan Rug

A Moroccan-inspired rug softens the black-and-white tiled floor, while an ornate brass headboard dresses up simple, white bedding.

White Bedroom With White Linens Beside Dark Gray Door

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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White Bedroom With White Linens Beside Dark Gray Door

Crisp white linens keep the small bedroom feeling open and airy despite its tiny square footage.

Shoe Storage Closet

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Closet With Cabinet-Style Shoe and Accessory Storage

This closet is the dream of all well-heeled homeowners. Cabinets with glass doors and interior lighting showcase the shoes and accessories like artwork.

Upholstered Chair With Green Trim, Gray Throw Pillow

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Vibrant Green Trim on Upholstered Armchair

Kelly green trim on the armchair brings a refreshing pop of color to this bedroom.

White Galley Kitchen With Teal Runner Leading to Living Room

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Sophisticated Galley Kitchen With Teal Runner

Despite its size, this small apartment boasts a sophisticated galley kitchen packed with top-of-the-line amenities. Glass-front doors keep the cabinetry from weighing down the space, while a teal runner points to the eclectic living room just beyond the fridge.

Undermount Kitchen Sink Topped With Marble, Glass-Front Cabinets

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Glass-Front Cabinets & Marble Backsplash

A thick slab of marble tops the kitchen counter and extends across the backsplash to dress up the small space.

Small White Loft Kitchen With Stainless Steel Appliances

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Sophisticated Contemporary Kitchen With White Cabinetry and Marble Counters

A clean, white kitchen with classic touches will complement almost any home style. Stainless steel appliances and streamlined marble counters define this classy cooking space.

Small Modern Kitchen With White Cabinets

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Chic Loft Kitchen With Stainless Steel Refrigerator

This small, updated kitchen features crisp, white cabinetry and leads directly into a sophisticated, loft living room.

White Contemporary Living Space With Houseplant and Blue Chairs

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Stylish Loft Living Room With Exposed Brick and Deep Blue Armchairs

This bright, clean sitting area is just as perfect for visiting or lounging as it is for watching TV.

Living Room With Blue Leather Chairs

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Urban Living Room Boasts Chic Blue Club Chairs

Impactful blue leather chairs could easily make a space feel overly formal -- but not with the addition of funky camouflage throw pillows and a safari-inspired zebra-print rug. Unique design accents also fill the room with casual personality.

Art and Books

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Artistic Details

Personal touches -- like knick-knacks, books and art pieces -- make a home feel really personal.

Neutral Eclectic Living Room With Brick Walls & Multiple Seating Areas

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Eclectic Living Room With Exposed Brick Wall

Both eclectic and modern, this living area features multiple spots for grabbing a seat. With varying styles and materials, the chairs and lounge become an artistic expression in the room. The zebra-print rug adds a little funk while the TV occupies an unobtrusive space on the back wall.

Contemporary Living Space With Exposed Brick and Built-In Closets

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Loft Living Room With Contemporary Seating

Built-in cabinets provide both extra space and style in this sophisticated contemporary living area.

White Room With Gray Bed, White Bedding and Zebra Print Rug

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Murphy Bed in Chic, Urban Living Space

The hideaway Murphy bed in this urban living space is both practical and stylish. A custom closet with recessed lighting creates a dramatic feel, and clean lines give the sleeping nook a boutique hotel vibe.

Green & Gold Coffee Table In Front of Large Window

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Window and What-Nots

A molded gold base adds a touch of sophistication to this emerald green coffee table. The lacquered tray-like top securely displays houseplants, books and collectibles.

Small Black and White Contemporary Bedroom With Bar Cart

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Chic Loft Bedroom With Murphy Bed

Black and white design accents and elements give this loft bedroom a sophisticated feel.

White Hall and Black Bathroom

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Stylish Hall and Bath

A glimpse of an updated black-and-white bathroom from an eclectic hallway shows the homeowner's class and style.

Bar Cart

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Hallway With Fully Stocked Bar Cart

What might otherwise be unused space in the entry hall is outfitted with a fully stocked bar cart. The vintage-inspired cart and barware are as much a part of the decor as they are goods for use while entertaining.

White Modern Foyer

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Entryway With Art Deco-Style Furnishings

Welcoming guests with bold bursts of style gives them a great dose of your design personality. Large Nefertiti busts, an Art Deco table and a big hunk of coral are statement pieces that will interest and engage almost any visitor.

Entry with Accessories

Photo: Jessie Webster. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

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Foyer with Art Deco Flair

Talk about wow factor! This entryway is packed with Art Deco-inspired statement pieces. Keeping a simple black and white palette with gold accents keeps the space from feeling too cluttered.

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