Posted by Jared on October 8th, 2008 in tips
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* Define then Divide the Space. Walk around your loft to determine the best spot for the living and sleeping area and the dining room but don’t forget where the kitchen and bathroom are and how the windows are arranged.
Now you can divide the room into different areas using furniture pieces like a book case or tables that will double as dividers. Other choices would be screens or room dividers. You could try putting your bed on a raised platform to separate it from the other rooms. You can also hang fabric screens from your high ceilings which doubles also as makeshift dividers. Choose a decorating style you want. What is the color motif of your loft? It is up to you how to successfully mix neutral and bold colors and still create a pleasant effect. Most lofts go for a contemporary decorating style. You can use natural materials like wood and stone blended with stainless steel furniture. Throw in a plant or two to soften the look of say, your living area. Furnitures and Accessories. The best kind of furniture you can use in lofts are those that have a functional as well as aesthetic value like a platform bed which has lots of storage area underneath it. Tall dressers are also good for storage and as dividers. Furniture pieces with wheels can also come handy in your loft for easy maneuvering in case you need to move furniture from one area to another.
Posted by Jared on September 8th, 2008 in Design Tips, Furniture, Information, Interior, space, tips
Having problems trying to keep your condo neat and clutter-free? Here’s some tips to organizing your space:
Make a commitment to live clutter-free. If you haven’t used it, or even missed it in a year, then you don’t need it. If you don’t need it, sell it, give it to charity or throw it out. And if you don’t know where to put it, don’t buy it. Remember, less mess, less work!
Maximize your space by installing built-in closets and shelves. Make every inch count! Buy those plastic boxes which come in all sizes, they can go under the bed, in place of a coffee table, etc. Invest in drawer organizers and closet savers.
Choose furniture that can do double duty. There are a lot of cool, new furniture in the market today that are designed to have multiple uses. Such as an ottoman that can be a coffee table, extra seating and has room for storage. Or sofa beds that can transform into a comfy bed at night, with storage space for beddings. Or dining tables that can expand to accommodate extra guests.
Posted by Jared on August 13th, 2008 in Decor, Design Tips, Exterior, Furniture, Gardening, Information, Interior, Loft designs, Quiz, Safety, space, tips
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For many Americans, moving to an urban apartment is about tapping into the excitement and cultural opportunities of the big city and can also mean a shorter commute to work. But finding a place in the city can mean sacrificing the larger living spaces found in the suburbs or country. Increasingly, urban dwellers are finding that loft apartments offer the location and opportunities of city life with far more space than average condos or apartment homes. he term loft began in New York and Chicago when renters and owners began turning old industrial buildings into living spaces. The original tenants were artists who craved the high ceilings, large windows and open floor plans typical of converted warehouses and factories. The primary benefit of loft living is the large open spaces that allow you to live and move how you want, rather than having your movement defined by a permanent floor plan of walls, doorways and rooms.
Posted by Jared on July 3rd, 2008 in Remodeling
One of the main issues that many potential loft apartment dwellers have is the noise. It’s a valid concern since many lofts are built with sloping ceilings and a single layer of wood placed on exposed beams for flooring. This structure can easily carry noise from below to the loft area while the wood ceiling bounces the noise right back below. The easiest but not the most effective solution is to layer the loft floor with carpet. Unfortunately, this only blocks muted sounds. As an added provision, you may also want to install a layer of sound-deadening drywall above the floor decking. This could be simple especially if you ask your trusty builder for specific advice.
Posted by Jared on June 1st, 2008 in Furniture, tips
I know the feeling of part excitement and part anxiety when finally moving out of the ‘rents’ house. For once, you know you’ll have all the freedom you’ve been craving since you’ve hit the teen mark, but at the same time there is that twinge of worry about the responsibilities that comes with independent living you’ll have to face.
Don’t worry. We’re here to help you with exactly that. But let’s take it one step at a time.
Let’s start with the furniture basics. If you’ve just graduated from high school or college with very little money of your own to buy from Ikea, then it wouldn’t exactly hurt if you
a) Borrow from family and friends
b) Buy from flea markets and thrift shops
c) Recycle your old stuff
These are some of the stuff that you might want to start with:
* sofa bed/ a sofa and a bed
* one comfortable upholstered chair
* two stackable chair, just in case you’ve got company coming over
* book case or mounted shelves
* a multi-purpose table ( i.e. coffee/study/dining)
Don’t pout yet, the next posts will focus on adding life to old furniture.
Posted by editor on May 25th, 2008 in Decor, Information
Before, loft spaces are inhabited by artists but nowadays, young and old, artist or not are in search of loft living for many reasons. Lofts are not just former industrial spaces converted into a dwelling place that only exists in New York and Los Angeles or any other cities in US. What comprises loft spaces is something that many housing experts are disagreeing about. But whatever the concern is, it is a known fact that whether you are a fresh out of college graduate who is relocating to the city or a middle aged couple in search for something other than the tedious, serene feel in the suburbs, a lot of people are being drawn to the glamorous lifestyle of loft living.
Posted by editor on May 22nd, 2008 in Information
Lofts can serve as a great home for families but you should be aware that nature of a loft’s position when it is above a store or other industrial structures is that it usually has stairs. See if it would be too hard or risky for your children or pets for daily use. If you have a pet, you also have to consider the fact that pets need to do their “business” quite often and using the stairs can be an inconvenience. But nowadays, many cities provide parks and green spaces where people can take and walk their dog. To be more sure, ask around the neighborhood about this concern regarding your pets.
Posted by editor on May 18th, 2008 in Information
One of the first things you have to consider about living in a downtown loft is the security and privacy it can provide you. If it is too important for you, then lofts are very sensible choice for you since you can make noise without fearing for neighbors to complain about it and you can have much freedom in making decorative alterations. Your friends and acquaintances can come by any time with lots of space to move around and party. Concerning parking spaces check the options available for you and ask about the payment for such amenity. Cities do have a limited street parking policies.
Posted by editor on May 15th, 2008 in Information
A loft apartment design is straightforward, it has an open space and you can delineate your own area. You can move around freely and can place your belongings, furniture, appliances anywhere you like. You can put furniture in one area today and van transfer it to another spot the next day. Lofts also have an eclectic style wherein you can combine the old and new world together. It’s like living the loft history and at the same time, designing your loft with New York urban style. And with loft apartments you can save more because it is easier to construct and maintain that’s why landlords do not charge much for lofts. To live in a big city has meant to dwell in a tiny apartment without enough room to breathe, but loft living proves that wrong.
Posted by editor on May 11th, 2008 in Information
Besides having a wide living space, loft apartments do not only offer a roof for shelter but it brings you a lifestyle to live especially for those who dream living in a big city. Tracing back loft apartments popularity, it began making their mark in the 1950’s Soho District of New York. Landlords began thinking of having industrial buildings rented for the growing art community in the area because studios had higher rates that time. These artists started living in these lofts despite the fact that zoning laws prohibited such uses in the loft. What the artists would do was they placed pulleys and fake walls in their “studio” so to trick inspectors who are going around checking their lofts. Since then, loft apartments have been very popular in the cities.