Urban Loft : Industrial warm touches
This urban loft started as a bare concrete shell inside a converted 1920s printing press building. Exposed ductwork, steel columns, and original brick walls gave it undeniable character, but the space felt cold and unwelcoming. The client wanted a home that preserved the industrial history while feeling warm, comfortable, and functional for daily life. They did not want a museum-like loft where every original surface was left untouched and unusable.
We started by zoning the open floor plan without adding walls. A large kitchen island anchors the cooking area while a custom steel-framed bookshelf separates the living room from the home office. Both pieces allow light to pass through while giving each zone its own identity.
1200+
Projects delivered
8year
Average team experience
50+
Skilled craftspeople on staff
15year
Warranty on all work
The kitchen received the biggest material shift. We chose walnut cabinetry with brushed brass handles—warm tones against the grey concrete ceiling. The countertop is blackened steel that will develop a natural patina over time. Open shelving replaces upper cabinets, displaying everyday dishes as part of the design. A vintage pendant light salvaged from a factory hangs above the sink, tying new elements back to the building's past.
The bedroom needed privacy without losing light. We installed a sliding barn door made of reclaimed pine on a steel track. When closed, it seals the bedroom off from the living area. When open, it stacks against the brick wall and disappears. Inside, we kept surfaces soft: a wool felt headboard, linen bedding, and blackout curtains behind sheer panels.
Lighting became the tool for shifting mood throughout the day. In the morning, large south-facing windows flood the space with natural light. By evening, we layered three types of fixtures: warm LED strips under the kitchen island, adjustable track lights aimed at the brick walls, and dimmable sconces beside the bed.
Storage was solved without adding bulky furniture. A floor-to-ceiling cabinet system runs along the hallway wall, only twelve inches deep—just enough for shoes, coats, and cleaning supplies. Inside the closet, we installed pull-out wire baskets instead of fixed shelves. Under the bed, custom drawers roll out on heavy-duty slides. Every inch of space was measured and used. The client gained over eighty cubic feet of storage without losing a single square foot of open floor.
The bathroom continues the industrial-warm balance. Walls are large-format porcelain tiles that mimic raw concrete but are waterproof and easy to clean. The vanity is solid walnut with a vessel sink sitting on top. A rain shower head and a handheld wand share a brass mixer valve. Heated floors run on a timer, warm in the morning and off at night. The mirror is framed in blackened steel with integrated LEDs behind it, casting soft light forward without shadows.
The client now uses every corner of the loft differently than they expected. The home office sees more creative work because natural light hits the desk all afternoon. The kitchen island became the gathering spot for friends, not just meal prep. Even the hallway with the shallow cabinets now feels intentional rather than wasted. T
