Any suggestions?
My husband and I recently moved into an artists' loft building. We used most of our existing furniture but bought the Chinese wedding bed because of its height and the Quan Yin statue and the mirrors to go behind her. We are still in the process of decorating (does it ever end?) and would like some input. We have gotten great advice for our new project, the kitchen, so we were hoping we could also get great ideas here. Thanks in advance for you help.
Bonnie and Bill
Bonnie and Bill
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You are probably already learning that there is a special balance of flow, too little or too much can make the space unique or confusing.
The only thing I would say is to be mindful of the horizontal plane (at eye level) because if you can create a more seamless look without sacrificing special ornamental pieces -- you will come to love that big open space.
Maybe you can decide how much flow room you want, say 5 feet of walkway between spaces, choose your favorite accents colors and favorite architectural furnishings like the screen and bed and keep all other items rather to the coordinating/complimentary side. Try to savor that openness and don't fill it up. You will be much happier.
Lofts are very special spaces. I am happy you have one of your own. You're doing a great job already -- keep that open feeling.
The decorating scheme of your loft is so beautiful and really, really love it! And when I look at your house, I noticed that you did not hang curtains yet. I was wondering if you will consider putting on some curtains for your fantastic room. If so, you can contact me at nophie@cheerycurtains.com or sales@cheerycurtains.com. I will always be glad to help.
Attached are some photos for your reference. Actually, we have many more colors available. Anyway, your loft is really fantastic!
I'm not in love with the bright yellow and purple half-walls. They look like leftovers from a previous tenant's bright modern color scheme. They don't go with the earthy natural woods, leather, plants and rugs you have, and they aren't reinforced by any accessories or textiles elsewhere in the room. If you are in love with the colors, look for accessories that incorporate a bit of those colors, and accept that you will have to change a lot of things to get the room unified.
Personally, I'd repaint the walls to pick up some of the intense but earthy colors in the rugs, or a deep emerald/leaf green (and it's trendy, too) for the plants.
Take pictures and look at the picture instead of the room. It can make you see things differently. When you go from a place with rooms to open loft living you need to be more aware of the accessories and color flow between areas. That couch that used to be in the living room is now in the background as an accessory for your bedroom area.
One suggestion on the windows (and unlike that Cheery Curtain person, I'm not trying to sell you anything) is to leave the upper panes uncovered unless the light at night drives you nuts or there is a privacy issue because of other buildings. Just lower the current shades to the main cross bar
Those are nice shades, BTW, and if you stenciled a pattern on them in the same soft yellow as the walls they would add a bit of interest when closed.
you are exactly right about the wall colors...they are from the previous owner and we plan to change them. we havent yet because we were not sure what color to replace them with yet.
we were looking for thoughts in general of things we hadn't thought of since we are not using professionals designers. One question in particular is what colors to use on the dividing walls that are currently yellow and bluish purple. As I said above, they are from the previous tenant and we dont know what color would work there.
It's difficult to give suggestions while looking at pictures vs. actually being in the space or having a scale drawing, but here are a couple of ideas. Generally speaking, lofts are loved for their wide, open spaces. I'm unsure what the meaning or purpose is of the purple and yellow walls.
When I look at the photo you provided of the gorgeous bed and the seating area next to it, I find that very pleasing. When I look at the other photos, with the partition walls, it seems too compartmentalized - not the open feeling usually prized in a loft . It has almost - wince - a 'furniture store' feeling. The wall colors seem jarring and not cohesive with the flow of the rest of the room again contributing to the compartmentalized feeling. Also, it seems as if the furniture in each "room" is part of a "set" that goes in that room.
Here are some SUGGESTIONS. (The beauty of houzz is that it's free so feel free to take it or leave it as it suits you.)
1. If you're going to paint the partition walls as well as the brick walls, paint everything a soft neutral color: tan, earthy gray, linen, etc. This will help the space to regain some cohesion.
2. Allow the furniture to delineate the spaces. I wholeheartedly agree with Andrew Crocker's recommendations (above). Consider geometric squares of furniture rather than the diagonals you have going on (i.e. square the furniture with the walls - that doesn't mean you have to put it right up against the wall).
3. Mix it up. Don't feel that the furniture in each space must "match". Take a chair from one room and put it in another. A table from here to there. Try to break out of the "box" that most people must live in in conventional homes. Mixing the furniture throughout the space instead of containing matching sets in different rooms will also help the entire space to feel more cohesive. Do a search in the Houzz photo archive on the word "eclectic" to stimulate new ways of mixing things.
4. Live with it. Loft living can be a challenge. Live with your space awhile. Look at pictures of other lofts. See how the space(s) make you feel and decide whether or not they are meeting your needs. Does the traffic flow well throughout the space? Is there enough seating for entertaining? Is there sufficient storage for the items used in that area?
Try to enjoy the process without being too concerned with getting it "right". I am green with envy!
In terms of the colors of the dividing walls, we inherited those bright colors and we havent changed them because we were not sure what colors would work. But we plan on doing so in the near future.
In regard to the dividing walls, we chose to have some walls because the loft is just too big (about 3400 sq feet with 16 foot ceilings) for one room--it would feel too much like a warehouse or a store rather than a warm and cozy home. Plus we wanted to have some privacy for when we have our children and friends stay over. I guess our space is more like a combination of an apartment and a loft because the kitchen, powder room, bedroom, master bath, artist studio and family room are all separate from the room (which about 1200 square feet) in the photo above.
Again, we appreciate all the comments and suggestions and will consider them all. It's great to have so much creative feedback!
thanks for your interest. the kitchen is a separate room. In the Design
Dilemma section of Houzz, i posted a question and 4 pictures a few days ago entitled "please help with our challenging kitchen". so if you are still interested in seeing the kitchen, you can find photos there.
thanks again
The coloured walls should go, but I am thinking a red, or black could be worked in.
There is a very Asian feel, I would love to see that expanded upon.
I am not sure about the rattan area. What is this Dining space?
Regarding the windows. I think your shades should not cover the transome above window. This would be a good oportunity for light. drop them to the top of the window .
I have looked for your kitchen, I was not sucessful in locating it on the Dilema site.