Houzz Tour: Stellar Views Spark a Loft's New Layout
A fantastic vista of the city skyline, along with the need for better efficiency and storage, lead to a Houston loft's renovation
Houzz Contributor. After graduating from UC Berkeley, I found myself utterly unprepared for the real world and at a loss as to what I should do next. Luckily, one day I stumbled through the doors of Architectural Digest and was taken under the wing of legendary editor Paige Rense. She had the vision to look past my uninspiring sociology degree and my general lack of experience—an unlikely journalism career was born. After AD, with my magazine karma still intact, I was hired by yet another publishing legend, the food critic and writer Ruth Reichl. I currently ply my trade as a freelance writer and editor and live in stylish Mid-Century-Modern comfort with my dog, Mike.
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When you think of a loft conversion, the first image that probably comes to mind is of a big, open space. And that's true most of the time. But a prior incarnation of this apartment in Texas was the sort of loft that could give lofts a bad name.
The layout was very partitioned off and didn't take advantage of the fact that the apartment has views to the north, south and west. Heather Rowell of Content Architecture, working with Robert Sanders Homes, made the space more efficient and maximized those views at the same time. "We created a core in the middle of the unit," she says. "It's basically a big rectangle that includes the bedroom, an office, a laundry area and two bathrooms."
This freed up all of the exterior walls while still keeping the public and private spaces feeling separate from one another. The result: A true loft was born.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired lawyer who relocated to be closer to her family
Location: Houston
Size: 1,400 square feet
That's interesting: Originally built in 1917, the building (Hermann Lofts, named after Houston philanthropist George Henry Hermann) was being used by the Salvation Army before it was converted to lofts in 1997.
The layout was very partitioned off and didn't take advantage of the fact that the apartment has views to the north, south and west. Heather Rowell of Content Architecture, working with Robert Sanders Homes, made the space more efficient and maximized those views at the same time. "We created a core in the middle of the unit," she says. "It's basically a big rectangle that includes the bedroom, an office, a laundry area and two bathrooms."
This freed up all of the exterior walls while still keeping the public and private spaces feeling separate from one another. The result: A true loft was born.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired lawyer who relocated to be closer to her family
Location: Houston
Size: 1,400 square feet
That's interesting: Originally built in 1917, the building (Hermann Lofts, named after Houston philanthropist George Henry Hermann) was being used by the Salvation Army before it was converted to lofts in 1997.
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| The main living space takes advantage of an incredible view of downtown Houston and Market Square, in the heart of the city's historic district. "It's probably the most prized view you can have," says Rowell. "For the loft in general, I knew that the client had a great art collection, interesting artifacts from her travels and lots of wonderful books," she says. "So we wanted to create a backdrop, making sure the view was most important, and then your eye shifts to all the owner's great pieces." The floors throughout the apartment are oak. The painting leaning against the back wall is by French artist Michel Nedjar. Sofa: Poltrona Frau Chester One; rug: Design Within Reach; antique coffee table: Kuhl-Linscomb; custom shelving unit |
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| The main upper part of the storage unit is painted; a lower portion is made of solid walnut with a walnut veneer. The television is set toward the back and on a swivel mount for viewing from the kitchen (next photo). Bentwood chair: Marc Newson for Cappellini; leather side table: The Gardener; leather chairs: 1940s, French, Kuhl-Linscomb; side table: Tom Dixon Screw Table |
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| A lack of wall space, the owner's reluctance to block the views and her love for these pieces led to the decision to place artwork along the floor. The paintings behind the sofa are by Mexican artist Rogelio Diaz. Bar stool: Pepe Cortes Jamaica |
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| The dining area is sort of a funny wedge shape. The homeowner does a lot of entertaining, and this custom-made table, by local craftsman Bob Card of greenwood bay, can be used for dining or as a buffet. The table is made of reclaimed wood, including some from the debris of Hurricane Ike. "We wanted this to feel like a space people would want to go to even though it's the furthest away from the great views," says Rowell. The hallway leading from the entrance is used as a gallery. "It gives the sense of a bit of a procession as you come through and adds to the industrial feel the space already had," she says. Framed dried lily pads hang above the dining table. Lamp: Bubble by Pelle |
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This view of the dining room shows its relationship to the living room and kitchen.
Chairs: Series 7 by Arne Jacobsen
Chairs: Series 7 by Arne Jacobsen
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The guest bathroom features a floating vanity whose surface has been protected against water damage with a sealant similar to one you would use on a ship's deck. Incorporating the towel rod makes for a self-contained unit and eliminates the need for any other rods.
A stacked washer and dryer were removed from the bathroom and placed in a closet across the hall so the small shower could be enlarged (next photo).
Sink: Water Cover, Kohler; faucet: Falling Water, Kohler
A stacked washer and dryer were removed from the bathroom and placed in a closet across the hall so the small shower could be enlarged (next photo).
Sink: Water Cover, Kohler; faucet: Falling Water, Kohler
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The bathroom doesn't have a natural light source, so Rowell recessed a linear light cove at the back shower wall to create the illusion of a skylight. "And we wanted the light fixture to wash down the slate and highlight the texture of the wall," she says.
Tile: Stone Black Slate Mini Sticks, Mini Wave Pebble Tile, Timor White pebble floor and Palazzo Santelmo wall tile, all from LaNova Tile; showerhead: Axor Faucet, Hansgrohe
Tile: Stone Black Slate Mini Sticks, Mini Wave Pebble Tile, Timor White pebble floor and Palazzo Santelmo wall tile, all from LaNova Tile; showerhead: Axor Faucet, Hansgrohe
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The kitchen has several interesting features. The stovetop and the sink were flipped, and because the apartment is in a historic building, a vent to the outside couldn't be installed. The Elica Twin hood has two fans that pull air and recirculate it through a charcoal filter. It also has a series of lights on dimmers.
The drawer fronts are laminated in a porcelain veneer. "We were going to do normal laminate, but we came across these porcelain tiles and had them laminated to a high-grade plywood," says Rowell. "And they're easy to clean."
Refrigerator: KitchenAid; cooktop and oven: Wolf; dishwasher: Optima, Miele; microdrawer: 24 inches, Wolf; tiles: porcelain, LaNova Tile; countertops: Caesarstone, Buttermilk
The drawer fronts are laminated in a porcelain veneer. "We were going to do normal laminate, but we came across these porcelain tiles and had them laminated to a high-grade plywood," says Rowell. "And they're easy to clean."
Refrigerator: KitchenAid; cooktop and oven: Wolf; dishwasher: Optima, Miele; microdrawer: 24 inches, Wolf; tiles: porcelain, LaNova Tile; countertops: Caesarstone, Buttermilk
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The glass-front cabinets are 1 foot in depth; the solid-front cabinets are the full depth of the counter. "We decided to make the shallow cabinets glass so that the back wall wouldn't feel as heavy and dark," says Rowell. "The glass helps break up the weight of the wall."
The glass-front cabinets also allow the owner to display her white Alex Marshall organic-shaped dinnerware, which provides a contrast against the dark wood and complements the white tiles and countertops.
Backsplash: handmade ceramic bricks, LaNova Tile
The glass-front cabinets also allow the owner to display her white Alex Marshall organic-shaped dinnerware, which provides a contrast against the dark wood and complements the white tiles and countertops.
Backsplash: handmade ceramic bricks, LaNova Tile
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| A custom wardrobe walls off the view of the bedroom from the bathroom. Various African fertility statues collected over the years by the owner are displayed along the floor. The painting is by Brigitte McReynolds. Bed: wenge Zola Bed, Design Within Reach; bedding, pillows: Kuhl-Linscomb; sconces: Ananas Small Wall Lights, FontanaArte; standing lamp: antique |
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The sleek custom storage unit has white doors and drawers of paint-grade plywood. The surround is walnut veneer with a solid walnut trim cap.
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The owner didn't want the design of the vanity in the master bathroom to be too symmetrical. "We included a little bit of walnut on the drawer front, and the same wood is used on the tub skirt, but otherwise did a waterfall with Caesarstone in Buttermilk," says Rowell.
Sink: Ladena, Kohler; faucet: Stillness, Kohler; bathtub: Archer, Kohler; bath fixture: Stillness, Kohler; toilet: Carlyle, Toto; floors: Palazzo Santelmo tile, LaNova Tile; walls: Palazzo Belvedere Natural tile, LaNova Tile
Sink: Ladena, Kohler; faucet: Stillness, Kohler; bathtub: Archer, Kohler; bath fixture: Stillness, Kohler; toilet: Carlyle, Toto; floors: Palazzo Santelmo tile, LaNova Tile; walls: Palazzo Belvedere Natural tile, LaNova Tile
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This looks like a hallway with a lovely chair from Swallow Tail that's covered in a Stephen Sprouse fabric and holds a West Elm pillow. And it is all of that. But it's also a hidden office, as you'll see in the next photo.
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| Voilà! The owner needed a home office, but Rowell didn't want to design it as a separate room. "We used long bifold doors and made it a circulation path that can be activated as a work zone," says Rowell. And if that's not enough, there's a springboard mounted on the wall to the right (not visible here) that the owner uses for her daily Pilates routine. Cabinets: paint-grade plywood with solid wood nosings; desk surface: Caesarstone, Buttermilk; back wall: 1/3 chalkboard paint, 2/3 bulletin board |
Comments
Sarah Greenman Spectacular. I love the chesterfield sofa, the exposed brick, the hidden office, the walk in shower, the well appointed and sleek kitchen - there's so much to love here!
8 months ago · Like
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cynzano Beyond stunning....perfection...
8 months ago · Like
olldbobbi Gorgeous, and really well thought out. I'd like to know more about the sealant on the guest bathroom's sink base. All the water sealant's like this I've seen before are high gloss and yellowing, I'd like to know how they achieved the matte finish.
8 months ago · Like
jeanettchka A beautiful loft - especially love the hidden office! One question - having artwork on the floor does not seem very practical - does one have to move it every time one vacumns? Also, it doesn't seem to be a very safe place for it - it would seem to be very prone to damage placed there.
8 months ago · Like
sarah haslem That is the most amazing home I have ever seen. And I look at a lot of different homes. Just looking through the pictures makes me want to live there. And since I can't do that, I will just try to copy it. LOL!
8 months ago · Like
Peggy Aronson Sleek setting with warm furnishings--well done!! It makes me crave a trip to the city.
8 months ago · Like
gillianne Excellent balance of function and style and sympathetic design to showcase the star of the space--the views.
8 months ago · Like
mpcolombo Wow, gotta love everything about this downtown Houston loft. As older native Houstonians, my husband and I have often thought about moving into one of the downtown lofts, but most are just like apartments. Great job!
8 months ago · Like
binkerman The "antique" table in the living room can be purchased at Restoration Hardware. 
8 months ago · Like
CAROLE MEYER LOVE THIS PLACE! I really love everything about this loft....what a great use of space and the view is to die for! Excellent job! Carole
8 months ago · Like
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sarah haslem Binkerman~ I think you mean a "similar" table can be purchased at Restoration Hardware. I checked them both and there are differences between the two that makes me believe they are not the same tables.
8 months ago · Like
vineyardflute Beautiful home done "Texas" style. I like the combination of wood and leather furniture and the unique wardrobe in the bedroom. Excellent ideas and execution!
8 months ago · Like
binkerman Sarah Haslem - Although I hate that attention was called to my badly-worded comment, thank you for giving me the opportunity to clarify. My meaning is Restoration Hardware has the table and theirs, Restoration Hardware's, is a reproduction.
8 months ago · Like
ifej there is so much to love i can't itemize
8 months ago · Like
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genevievedb I love the sliding glass doors that hide the home office. This is the exact solution I'm looking for. Where are the doors from?
8 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Sept. 25, 2012.
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