Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Stunning SoHo Loft
Renovation celebrates a former factory's original details combined with new spaces, textures and materials
This stunning loft in SoHo had several lives before a couple hired architect and interior designer David Howell to complete a major renovation. "This was an original SoHo loft building, converted from a factory back in the 1980s" explains Howell. The scope of his project included adding central air conditioning, a bathroom, a kitchen and windows as well as improving the flow and layout.
"It was one big open space with the original tin ceilings, floors and brick walls, exposed columns and sprinklers — all signatures of a classic SoHo loft," describes Howell. Preserving and enhancing these classic features was paramount during the renovation of this space, so he didn't want to close it in with rooms or corridors. "Keeping things open is critical to a loft environment," he explains. However, he did want to design a pleasing flow, and "create areas where people want to go" within the space. See how he balanced these priorities for his clients, a couple who did not mind working on their home over a long period of time.
"It was one big open space with the original tin ceilings, floors and brick walls, exposed columns and sprinklers — all signatures of a classic SoHo loft," describes Howell. Preserving and enhancing these classic features was paramount during the renovation of this space, so he didn't want to close it in with rooms or corridors. "Keeping things open is critical to a loft environment," he explains. However, he did want to design a pleasing flow, and "create areas where people want to go" within the space. See how he balanced these priorities for his clients, a couple who did not mind working on their home over a long period of time.
The original tin ceiling was one classic SoHo loft feature that was restored and shown off to the fullest. The loft only has one wall of windows to provide natural light, so 9-foot walls that don't reach all the way up to the ceiling allow light to pass through the house and offer a continuous view of the ceiling. Uplights on top of these walls create reflections off the ceiling, drawing even more attention to it.
A large dark blue bookcase adds room for books and objects. It also provides more lighting within it and atop it, and conceals the freight elevator.
A mural that is still in progress stands up to the large wall at the end of the dining area. Track lighting was installed to shine on this wall. "I chose the chain light fixture over the table because it did not compete with the mural," explains Howell. The fixture also works well with the existing exposed sprinklers, and new metal finishes brought in via the track lights and some of the furniture.
Along with the bench, the custom live-edge table also had to be brought in via crane. It is 15 feet long and took 8 months to make. It was worth the wait; in fact, when Bono happened to see it in the showroom, he tried to buy it, then wound up ordering up one twice as long for his own home.
The Danish dining chairs are vintage 1960s rosewood which has been ebonized. "These are so well-crafted; the legs and back are all one piece," describes Howell. "They tie in very well with the live edge."
Table by BDDW
The Danish dining chairs are vintage 1960s rosewood which has been ebonized. "These are so well-crafted; the legs and back are all one piece," describes Howell. "They tie in very well with the live edge."
Table by BDDW
The new kitchen is tucked out of view from the front door, in a spot where a guest bathroom used to be. It does not get a lot of daily use, as a common part of life in a classic SoHo loft is taking advantage of all the great takeout available. This opened up the opportunity to display more artwork and light it accordingly. Photography subjects include Grace Jones and Madonna.
The counter stools tuck neatly underneath the island. Crafted from a leather conveyor belt and steel by Jim Zivic, they add to the loft's palette of textures.
The counter stools tuck neatly underneath the island. Crafted from a leather conveyor belt and steel by Jim Zivic, they add to the loft's palette of textures.
A cozy office/guest room occupies the space at the other end of the loft. The custom sofa converts into a full-sized bed. The light hanging overhead is a vintage extendable Italian lamp from the 1950s, and the chair is a vintage Eames Executive Chair, upholstered in red patent leather.
This desk was fashioned with a live-edge piece of wood left over from the dining room table. It was filled in with bronze, and if you look closely you can see the beautiful distressed characteristics.
The shelf system was also made by Jim Zivic, and like the counter stools, it is crafted of steel and leather. The materials chosen here help connect this room to the more public areas of the loft.
The shelf system was also made by Jim Zivic, and like the counter stools, it is crafted of steel and leather. The materials chosen here help connect this room to the more public areas of the loft.
For the master bedroom, a leather and walnut headboard from BDDW stands up to the scale of the room. Paint color and a wooden birch veneer wallpaper by Trove reach the same height as the walls. The color palette and light fixtures give the room a soft and relaxed feel.
Red throw by Michelle Reeves, purchased at ABC Carpet and Home
Red throw by Michelle Reeves, purchased at ABC Carpet and Home
An iconic paper chandelier by Inge Maurer and a concealed coved lighting system illuminate this rare closed-off space, the master bathroom. A glass shower and a soft color palette keep things open and light, while a well-worn red rug and red towels add dashes of color.
Block sinks by Agape, purchased at Moss
Block sinks by Agape, purchased at Moss
The tiles around the room are limestone, chosen to complement the poured concrete floor. "We alternated the tile sheets to create a subtle checkerboard effect," says Howell. A parallel shelf of artwork includes photography by Helmut Newton and a Damien Hirst skull. The dark frames and shelf play off the 3-legged Jonah Meyer dining stool.
The preserved loft elements, consideration of use, views and flow, masterful lighting scheme and careful blend of textures have resulted in a truly stunning home.
More:
Regional Modern: Vibrant Layers of Old and New in NYC
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The preserved loft elements, consideration of use, views and flow, masterful lighting scheme and careful blend of textures have resulted in a truly stunning home.
More:
Regional Modern: Vibrant Layers of Old and New in NYC
Tribeca Through and Through
5 Extraordinary Lofts Throughout the Country
"The large photograph finishes the fourth side of the living room," says Howell. The woman in the picture is actually a digital creation by Diago Uchitel and was purchased at Ralph Pucci.