ART LOFT
Creating Atmosphere Through Light, Color, and Texture
For us, creating a space's atmosphere involves a careful balance of light, color, and surface textures. The owners of this space frequently visit Portugal, so the primary theme for this interior was inspired by the ocean coastline.
Cool gray-blue tones and rough textures, combined with unique furniture pieces—each with its own story—harmonize with both the interiors of historic Portuguese and Spanish mansions and the rugged ocean coastline.
Flooring Selection as a Key Design Element
One of the starting points for this project was the choice of flooring. We decided to use a single material throughout the entire space. We chose Italian porcelain stoneware, Krea Blue 60x60. We saw in this material the colors of the ocean, and this association was further enhanced by its unusual, variegated coloration that evokes the movement of water. Depending on the lighting, the floor color shifts from vibrant to subdued.
These floors, consistent across all rooms, seamlessly complement the painted brick, oak parquet flooring, and handmade English wall tiles.
Interior Doors and Partition Design
The 2400mm high interior doors are designed to match the scale of the room's height. The door between the foyer and the room retracts into a pocket, which is a functional advantage in a smaller space, while the traditional hinged door leading to the bathroom provides better sound insulation.
The glossy surface of the doors reflects the large window, filling the space with light.
The interior partition, clad in wide three-meter Austrian parquet boards (Shober) in a honey color, adds emotional warmth to the room. It not only enhances the sound insulation properties of the partition but also imbues the recently renovated space with a sense of a "home with history."
Wall Color and Height Enhancement
Choosing the primary wall color took some time, but we settled on Zoffany Victorian Purple. This color beautifully complements both the porcelain stoneware and the honey-toned wood.
Despite the modest size of the loft, its height is a significant asset. The goal was to preserve and emphasize this vertical dimension as much as possible.
This objective is achieved through the use of gypsum moldings. The selected cornices, with their profile and scale, effectively highlight the proportions of the space.
Initially, the plan included tinting and patinating the moldings. We have extensive experience with this type of finish and access to excellent specialists who excel in such tasks. However, during the process, we decided to leave the moldings white to maintain a sense of austerity and graphic clarity.
Comfortable Workspaces and Functional Design
The thick brick walls of the reconstructed building, a former design institute from the last century, with their wide window reveals, allowed us to create two comfortable workstations by the window.
For the countertops, we used thick slabs of Caucasian elm (karagach) from the "Dubovaya Dolly" workshop, finished with oil. This choice echoes the wood theme present on the opposite wall.
The natural wavy edge of the wooden countertops conceals spacious shelves that accommodate all necessary documents, books, and tools, ensuring they are always within reach.
Thanks to these ample shelves and the cabinet, we were able to keep all surfaces in the loft as open and uncluttered as possible. This contributes to a sense of freedom and lightness reminiscent of hotel rooms.
Custom-Made Wardrobe and Elegant Details
The wardrobe was custom-built in the Moscow region. The main challenge was to make it both spacious and unobtrusive, avoiding overwhelming the space with a large object. The proportions were refined over time. The wardrobe’s facade is divided into a central, fully deep section and narrower side panels, which lightens the overall composition.
The finishing of the furniture facades features a velvety “Tuch Soft” effect, using Italian technology. The wardrobe color complements the wall color. The "tip-on" door opening mechanism from Blum eliminates the need for handles, safeguarding the shelves from pets, though the cat quickly learned to open the doors with a paw.
Above the refrigerator, which fits neatly into a niche within the wardrobe, space has been left for a projector. The hanging system for paintings and photographs on the opposite wall can be easily transformed, leaving room for projecting images.
The use of mirrored glossy black surfaces adds graphic elegance to the interior. This includes the black granite window sills and kitchen countertops, as well as the central round table.
This table from the early 1960s is a remarkable find. It has been restored and repainted, with a black glass top added. To enhance its height and mobility, the legs have been fitted with wheels.
The metal elements in the interior are intentionally finished in dark colors, strategically highlighting accents and contributing to the room’s bold character.
Versatile Lighting Solutions
The lighting in the apartments is multifunctional and designed to meet various needs. For the main light source, we selected a chandelier from the American manufacturer Troy Lighting, as its design and dimensions fit perfectly within the space.
Industrial wall sconces are from the French manufacturer Gras. The spotlights on the Arte Lamp track address functional lighting needs and can be easily redirected with the use of a portable ladder.
In the foyer, the primary lighting is achieved through reflected light from the spotlights on the wall-mounted track. These also illuminate the facade of the coat closet, the clock above the entrance door, and a large vintage mirror.
Richly Detailed and Colorful Bathroom
The small bathroom features a rich palette and intricate details. The combination of the walls tiled in handcrafted violet tiles with the porcelain stoneware flooring was inspired by the Pre-Raphaelites.
To the right of the entrance is a colonial-style sink from the American manufacturer Kohler, which is both compact and striking in form.
However, the standout feature of this space is the antique chandelier imported from Segovia, Spain. We found skilled craftsmen in Moscow who carefully replaced the old wiring.
Artistic Details and Theatrical Elements
The poster hanging in the niche above the toilet was also imported from Spain, specifically from the world-renowned Art Nouveau museum in Salamanca. It not only serves as a reminder of travels but also acts as a colorful accent in the space.
The American-made Chepler sconces and the large mirror with a black carved frame introduce a touch of theatricality to the room.
The bathroom faucets and the substantial Nicolazzi showerhead were chosen deliberately to complement the retro chandelier.
Creating a Versatile and Cozy Space
Thanks to the atmosphere cultivated in the loft, the space can now be used not only as a workshop for hosting guests and clients but also as a cozy, private, and highly personalized living area—achieving the primary objective.