In Praise of Lofts
Lofts. Grand open spaces which lend themselves to your wildest design sense. That’s how they’re promoted, at least. 16′ high ceilings with great wall space begging for your artistic contributions (or someone more talented than yourself, at least). Only four walls with a stair case to the sleeping quarters above means this space is for those without constraints on their life. Kids? Probably not. Single? More likely. Not to take away from couples, but these homes definitely beg for a more individual imprint, and an individual who likes to entertain, more often than not.
I’ve seen some terrific lofts in the city. There was one I saw years ago where the owner had combined two units together and created a fantastically huge space (over 1600 Sq.ft.). High class all the way and screamed out that the owner had taste and so did their friends who must have liked socializing in the heart of all that is trendy in Vancouver. Then there was another I was in where the owner had got creative in solving the conundrum of what to do with a hot sun beating down on his unit and turning it into a microwave oven. His solution? A heavy curtain and a movie screen, powered and remote controlled, which would close down like a movie theatre and turn the loft into its own private theatre. Of course, it had surround sound and a projector hung from the ceiling. It also had two La-Z-boy rockers on the second (bedroom) level. Imagine watching a movie, or a hockey game, that way! It was pure bachelor bliss.
I have never been in a loft that looked the same as any other Some of the quirkier ones I’ve been in featured decor mostly made out of heavy industrial gears (likely scavenged from a rail yard or recycled heavy equipment machinery) or the one that featured the owners collection of 1950/60’s era toy ray guns. There have also been quite a few odd art collections found in these places.
What all of these homes have in common is that the personalities of the owners are truly extroverted. These are people looking for a place to call their own and looking for a canvas big enough to take all their big ideas.
Luckily for us Loft Lovers there are several buildings in downtown Vancouver answering the call. Spot, Space, and Metropolis are all modern era two floor high ceilinged lofts posing the question “What do you feel like doing?”
Vancouver, BC 