DESIGN WE LOVE: Loft Interiors
Lofts inspire us. Maybe they inspire you too.
Lofts are inherently cool. And creative. And spacious. And Goodies loves them.
A true loft was originally a building created for an industrial purpose. The name 'loft' is now synonymous with modern urban style in interior design.
Lofts often feature high ceilings with exposed pipes, beams, and brick walls. This style is a major trend that became extremely popular both in the US, where loft living originated, and in Europe. Loft homes are mainly chosen by creative, freedom-loving people who appreciate practicality, creativity, and minimalism. Despite the fact that this type of decoration should not imply 'high budget,' it is considered to be one of the most expensive styles in design.
Lofts differ from traditional one or two-bedroom apartments because (generally, depending on the layout) no interior walls divide up space. Lofts are open-areas with no defined bedroom, living room and kitchen. A regular apartment will have a clearly-defined bedroom, closet, kitchen and living room. Traditional lofts do have a private bathroom, though.
The roots of loft living originated in Manhattan factory districts of the 1940's. Together with the rapid increase in land prices in downtown, industrial enterprises were forced to move production to the suburbs. Empty buildings were sold for pennies, and representatives of New York bohemia immediately took advantage of it.
In these gritty spaces, young artists and musicians held exhibitions, created their art and settled down in huge open spaces with their creative approach. It didn't take long for these apartments to become very popular and in recent years lofts have risen significantly in price due to of the convenient and prime location, spaciousness and unique urban charm. Thus, the abandoned factory and warehouse areas turned into luxury loft-style dwellings.
The word ‘loft’ literally means attic, mansard, the top floor of a warehouse or factory building. And indeed, loft interiors initially resembled a workshop or factory. It's not difficult to notice special unique features of this style and appreciate the bold taste of its owners. Usually, a loft totals not less than one hundred square meters and is abundantly filled with natural sunlight, making its way through the wide open space. The two most primary and distinctive features of lofts are high ceilings and wide, floor to ceiling windows.
When you are in a loft interior, you can easily see the opposite corner of the room. In the industrial space, only the bathroom and utility rooms are isolated with partitions or walls from the main space. The toilet is (almost!) always hidden, while the bathtub can be located directly in the sleeping area. Often the sleeping area is exposed and open to the rest of the loft, depending on the creativity and style of the owner/tenant. It's common to use of heavy drapes, beads, bookshelves, or glass to divide the bedroom sleeping area.
A harmonious mix of various architectural solutions is the basic concept of this style. In a loft space, elements of the past (raw brick walls, aged frames, metal ladders and ventilation systems that are seen) look perfectly naturally next to modern equipment, practical lighting systems, chrome details and mirrors. The exposed interior adds charm and detail that traditional apartments often lack, turning exposed brick and beams into the aesthetic.
Lofts are perfect for dwellers who love unique charm, urban living, and expansive space. Depending on the layout of the loft apartment, you can usually house more roommates in these expansive spaces. You can grow into your loft space, add those roommates to keep costs manageable, or just keep it all to yourself.
Because lofts are so open and big, look at the loft apartment like a blank canvas. Lofts allow plenty of freedom for creatives to design the place exactly how they like.
All photography credit goes to the artist.