Life in a loft is a study in cool sophistication
Don’t you think it would be cool to live in a loft? I do, and so do many other folks. Lofts are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners of all ages.
Lofts have a sophisticated and hip image, sort of like me. The characteristics of loft living include an urban setting, large open spaces, huge windows, beams or columns and 14-foot or higher ceilings.
Loft owners are a mixed group: young, old, male, female, single and married. But they all share two things: envious friends and a huge decorating challenge.
One of the best things about loft living is the large open space. Unfortunately, all that space can be a little overwhelming when it comes to decorating. Fortunately, my co-host, Shari Hiller, isn’t the least bit intimidated when it comes to decorating large spaces. In fact, her philosophy is the bigger the better!
The first step in decorating a loft is to determine the function of the space. Walk around your space and decide the best areas for working, relaxing and entertaining. Once the functional areas have been mapped out, it’s easy to divide the open space into “rooms” with the placement of partitions, large pieces of furniture or area rugs. Who needs walls?
One of the unique things about lofts is the way architectural features are included in the design. Normally, exposed ceiling pipes and duct work are considered an eyesore, but in a loft, they are desirable.
Because of the industrial feel of lofts, they are usually decorated in a contemporary style. Contemporary style is sleek. It incorporates clean lines and smooth surfaces. I like the way contemporary furnishings combine wood, glass, chrome and stainless steel to create a really interesting look.
Chairs and sofas are usually upholstered in natural fabrics like silk, wool, linen and cotton. Leather is also a great choice — especially if you’re like me and want to channel surf in comfort.
Good fabrics for a loft include textures and weaves in solids, stripes and patterns. The colors are often tone-on-tone and fairly neutral, but animal prints also make a very cool addition to a contemporary space.
The color palette in a contemporary design is frequently a mix of neutrals. Creams, browns and taupes are a few possible choices, but pure white is a standard.
To make sure the room isn’t too bland, you can introduce some bold, bright colors and a few, well-chosen accessories. You notice I said a few accessories. That’s another reason I like contemporary décor — you don’t have to spend a lot of time or money finding a bunch of stuff for the room.
Area rugs are another way to add color and texture, and they can help to visually define a space. Low-pile commercial carpeting is also a nice addition to help soften the look of a loft.
The right lighting is especially important. Suspended pendant lamps can be used to provide general lighting. A mix of up and down lighting is a good idea, but you might want to avoid using torchiere lamps if your ceilings are too rough. Canister lights are also very effective.
Maybe I should think about buying a loft. I’d be living in the city, close to all the action. Living in a loft is so cool that all my friends would be jealous. The space is so big that it practically makes a big leather couch and a big-screen TV necessities. Cracks in the walls and ceilings don’t have to be repaired because they add architectural interest. You only need a few accessories and hardly any decorative pillows. This is sounding better and better. I’ve got to go — I need to call my Realtor.
Matt Fox and Shari Hiller, authors of “Matt and Shari’s Great Weekend Projects,” also appear together frequently on HGTV. For more on Matt Fox & Shari Hiller, visit www.hgtv.com or www.mattandshari.com.
