At one time, loft living was reserved for the truly avant garde. The term calls to mind images of Andy Warhol and his collective lounging around on cushions, barely protected from a dusty concrete floor covered in paint splatters. But in recent years, lofts have become highly desirable, not just for artists but for anyone with an artists' spirit. The vaulted ceilings, massive windows, and inherently industrial design is attractive to all types of people who want to live a little differently. The three lofts in this post have their own distinct personality, but each transforms a simple open space into an inhabitable, and even comfortable home.
The first loft is in Milan, and we're featuring photos of it from Italian photographer Adriano Pecchio. It represents the best of loft living with its huge open spaces, cleverly divided rooms and warm, homey furnishings.
The first level of the loft houses multiple living and entertaining areas, including a spacious open dining room and an industrial-inspired bar. By using white for the walls, floors, and vaulted ceilings, the entire home has a clean and warm vibe in a space that could run the risk of feeling dingy and echoing.
Both the first and second levels are not shy about furniture, with an array of soft surfaces available to catch you when the desire to plop down and daydream strikes.
Upstairs, a bedroom and office area sit much closer to the ceiling. A loft-to-ceiling bookcase provides some sense of separation and privacy.
One of the most notable pieces in this loft is the suspended white bicycle, which hangs just next to a very creatively positioned bookcase. While you wouldn't want to be climbing that ladder very often, it's a great way to store those publications that you can't stand to get rid of but don't need to look at.
The second loft is an eclectic vision from designer Ilya Garbuzov, specifically designed for a male Muscovite with a cat.
Vaulted ceilings give away its lofty origins, but the rich leather furniture and the exposed brick have a distinctly European vibe that strays from the typical industrial loft designs.
Deep browns and reds, including converted trunks as coffee tables, are highly masculine while dangling glass light fixtures add a bit of trendy delicacy to the design.
A massive outdoor space is the jewel in the crown of this particular loft, bedecked in wood with its own separate dining area and oversized porch swing. It would be a shame if there weren't a party here every night (although perhaps they could bring in some space heaters for the Moscow winter).
The final loft comes from the team at Martins Architects and features a more traditional apartment design than the other two spaces.
The loft is divided into separate areas by its exposed brick walls, including a living area and screening room, dining room, and hidden bedroom.
A neutral color palette with a few splashes of brightness is nothing too off the wall but bring a nice warmth to the brick and wood design. Mismatched dining chairs and caged lightbulbs are the finishing touches on this quirky style.
