Create an ideabook for your next remodeling project!
Browse more than 1,500,000 photos from top designers and save your favorites
Houzz Tour: Light Dawns on a Toronto Penthouse Loft
Somber details in a former warehouse give way to bright white walls, nautical touches and exposed fixtures with an industrial edge
Green and red walls greeted designer Golbou Rad when she first met this loft. In addition to the walls' permanent holiday colors, the space lacked large windows because it was a converted building, and the interior finishes and kitchen appliances needed an update. The dark appearance of the penthouse unit created a slightly somber environment on the lower-level area, which Rad addressed promptly, because the look simply didn't reflect her clients' youth and lifestyle.
The designer began the loft's transformation by lightening up the entire two-level space with bright white paint and updating the builder-quality fixtures. "We agreed that the red and white decor and accessories that blended in with the brick walls had to go," says Rad.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A professional couple
Location: Toronto
Size: 1,200 square feet
The designer began the loft's transformation by lightening up the entire two-level space with bright white paint and updating the builder-quality fixtures. "We agreed that the red and white decor and accessories that blended in with the brick walls had to go," says Rad.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A professional couple
Location: Toronto
Size: 1,200 square feet
|
by Rad Design Inc
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| |
by Rad Design Inc
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
In a previous life, the building housed a wholesale grocery warehouse on the Toronto waterfront.
"The building is quite old and was built in 1858. It was a wholesale grocery warehouse backing into the waterfront with ship docks at the back. At some point, developers converted the warehouses into apartment buildings, but unfortunately not much has changed in the interiors of this unit since around 2003," says Rad.
The designer chose subtle materials and finishes in the loft, careful not to take away from the well-worn texture and colors of the exposed brick.
"I softened up the space and chose mostly neutral finishings and added a bit of blue and a cooler palette. But other than that, I stayed away from adding materials and finishes that took away from the existing beauty of the place, since the brick and wood already add a lot of color and texture to the space," says Rad.
"The building is quite old and was built in 1858. It was a wholesale grocery warehouse backing into the waterfront with ship docks at the back. At some point, developers converted the warehouses into apartment buildings, but unfortunately not much has changed in the interiors of this unit since around 2003," says Rad.
The designer chose subtle materials and finishes in the loft, careful not to take away from the well-worn texture and colors of the exposed brick.
"I softened up the space and chose mostly neutral finishings and added a bit of blue and a cooler palette. But other than that, I stayed away from adding materials and finishes that took away from the existing beauty of the place, since the brick and wood already add a lot of color and texture to the space," says Rad.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| BEFORE: Black kitchen appliances darkened the kitchen. "The lower level felt looming and dark because of the lack of large windows, and the black appliances and laminate cabinetry just made an odd combination," says Rad. |
by Rad Design Inc
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
AFTER: Bright colored cabinetry and walls lightened up the space and allowed the wood structure and exposed ducts and piping to stand out, which emphasized the industrial character of the building and gave the loft a raw appeal.
Cabinetry: Ikea; appliances: Kenmore; wall paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore
Cabinetry: Ikea; appliances: Kenmore; wall paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore
by Rad Design Inc
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
The stainless steel appliances, concrete-colored countertops, kitchen faucet and double bowl sink all speak an industrial language.
Sink: Gemini; faucet: American Standard; countertop: Ceasarstone in concrete
Sink: Gemini; faucet: American Standard; countertop: Ceasarstone in concrete
by Rad Design Inc
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
"The ship's wheel is not just for show. My clients both have sailing backgrounds, and they saw the redesign of their loft as a good reason to shop their own home and bring out their sailing paraphernalia," says Rad.
by Rad Design Inc
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
The clients requested a less-is-more bedroom; they ended up keeping the striped bedding and navy blue throws from West Elm that Rad used for the photo shoot.
by Rad Design Inc
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
An antique lighthouse lantern anchors a bedside table vignette, adding another nautical touch to the room.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
BEFORE: The master bathroom was a jumble of beige and black tiles, drab lighting and "strange looking" hardware (already removed in this mid-demolition picture).
by Rad Design Inc
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
AFTER: The walnut vanity warms up the neutral tones of the bathroom, and the plush rug keeps feet warm.
"I actually took my clients to the tile showroom so they could see everything to scale. It's so different when you're looking at a tiny sample that's completely out of context; you just don't get the full effect," says Rad.
Floor tiles: Home Depot; toilet, tub: Kohler; rain shower, faucet, hardware: Moen; vanity, sink, medicine cabinet: Muti Kitchen and Bath
"I actually took my clients to the tile showroom so they could see everything to scale. It's so different when you're looking at a tiny sample that's completely out of context; you just don't get the full effect," says Rad.
Floor tiles: Home Depot; toilet, tub: Kohler; rain shower, faucet, hardware: Moen; vanity, sink, medicine cabinet: Muti Kitchen and Bath
by Rad Design Inc
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
The new sliding barn doors allow enough space for the drawers of the new vanity to open with ease.
"It was a great pleasure for me to work on a small portion of this historic building. The red brick and wood structures are a trademark of Toronto's historic warehouses and their presence adds a lot of richness and beauty to this space," says Rad.
"It was a great pleasure for me to work on a small portion of this historic building. The red brick and wood structures are a trademark of Toronto's historic warehouses and their presence adds a lot of richness and beauty to this space," says Rad.
Ideabook updated on Sept. 10, 2012.
What are you working on?
News From Our Partners
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
http://www.eurofab.ca/Product.aspx?id=158
Good luck!