This questions and answers below are from the feature in Pure Contemporary.
Click here to view the online feature article.

What type of vibe did the homeowner envision in this space?

My client bought this contemporary loft and needed design assistance to make it his own. He moved from the suburbs and lived in a “vanilla home.” All walls were a light cream. He desired color! Because of the architecture of this space it naturally has a contemporary feel. He liked that and wanted to continue with that vibe.

What were the client’s must-haves?

The client’s mantra from the start was “I want color!” His collection of art needed to be featured, and entertaining accommodations were a must.

What is the total square footage of the kitchen/dining/living room?

The total square footage of the entire unit is 1,100.00. The entertaining space is approximately 20’ x 18’.

The kitchen area is on the small side. How did you make it conducive to preparing meals and entertaining?

We expanded the island size to accommodate more seating (bar stools), which also extended the kitchen prep area. The owner and others can be on one side while guests are seated at the bar, allowing many people around the island in a small space. I also made a deeper overhand so dinner plates easily fit on the bar stool counter side.

It appears as the same cabinetry was used. Were the doors replaced, or just stained and new hardware added?

New doors were attached and stained the same color as the base cabinets.

Is the floor a stained hard-wood?

Yes, I chose a black stain. Several people on this job site questioned my decision on this and it took many conversations with my client to trust me on this one. Everyone loves it now!

The vaulted ceiling with the silver exposed ductwork is an interesting focal point. Is there an advantage, and how difficult was this to construct?

The exposed ductwork was already there and a fun architectural feature. I liked it and pulled the silver finish more into the space to highlight it.

The ductwork could have made the space seem cold. How did you warm it up?

I selected a caramel brown color for the walls and ceilings. It was a rich color that would pop the silver accents and also spotlight all of the contemporary artwork.

You mixed different fabrics/colors/textures. What is the aesthetic appeal?

Yes, it’s important to mix up your selections and have a good balance. I try to balance heavier textures with smoother fabrics so they do not fight against each other. I also balance busier patterns with smaller and textured patterns.

Is this interior design indicative of the homes in the surrounding neighborhood?

The area is more historic but this space leant itself to being designed in a contemporary fashion.

The client desired neatness. Did you create additional storage?

Unfortunately there was very little room to add more storage. The master bedroom walk in closet was used to it’s fullest with shelving to the ceiling and areas designated for all hanging and folded needs. The client moved from a larger space so he had to purge, donate and give away things he no longer needed and that would not work with the new contemporary design.

Many readers have asked about paint colors in an open space with multiple sections, such as this living/dining/kitchen area. Do you recommend using one paint color?

I preferred to use one color for this particular project in order to make this space seem larger, even though this was a darker color. There was a lot of visual activity in this space: Angled ceiling planes, silver ductwork, the windows and the door. To envelope it with one color grounded the space and now serves as a backdrop for all of the interesting art, furniture and accessories. I did use a blue-toned accent paint behind the custom shelving unit that I designed. Blue is the client’s favorite color, so I sprinkled it throughout the space.

What was the biggest challenge/obstacle for this project?

Laying the space out to accommodate a larger number of people for entertaining. My client can now seat 17 people very comfortably! For a space this size it is a great accomplishment.