Luxe Loft

The homeowners of this Bay Village loft envisioned a hip, contemporary space for their empty nest. In making a change from their huge Victorian in the suburbs shared with their three now-grown children, they decided to make it big.

The couple had for years been harboring a desire to move closer to the heart of things in downtown Boston. When they saw an ad for this condominium, they finally found what they'd been searching for. The Bay Village location nestled snugly between the theater district, Boston Common, Newbury Street, and the South End put them in a key location, and the price was right. And the key words "two indoor parking spaces" sealed the deal.

But this design-savvy couple didn't want to settle for what the builder had to offer. Converted from an old tire warehouse, the building was undergoing development into the typical, boxy unit with standard bath and kitchen fixtures that are ubiquitous in condos today. So it was clear from the start that while the location was a dream, the 2,500-square-foot home as it was did not quite fit the vision of the homeowners. Veterans of the kitchen and bath industry, the couple was extremely knowledgeable about the latest and best products on the market. They knew they wanted to bring the best designs the world had to offer to their new space.

In contrast to the smaller rooms of their previous home, a centry-old Victorian, the couple envisioned an open, contemporary loft that took advantage of the space's unique architecture, including 12' ceilings and huge concrete pillars. The homeowners' sharp design sensibilties drew them toward the creative and unusual. Teaming up with architect Barry Ganek, they worked to create a dynamic, free-flowing loft full of curves and angles, interesting textures and materials, and trend-setting products.

At the center of the loft is the welcoming kitchen, which draws visitors into the space with its sweeping curved countertop in sumptuous eggplant Pyrolave. The enameled French lava stone is a stunning choice for its rich color, the enameled, glossy finish, and the tiny cracks that lend character.

The kitchen feels modern and sophisticated with sleek Poggenpohl cabinets that mix frosted glass fronts, open shelving for display, and creative solutions like a metal roll-up door to hide small appliances. Stainless steel appliances—the Sub-Zero refrigerator, Asko diswasher, and Abbaka range hood—mix well and complement the industrial theme, as do the backsplash tiles, custom-made with a raised waffle pattern and pewter glaze by artisan Naomi Brave of Rep Tiles.

The kitchen's angles direct the flow to the private spaces in the loft, consisting of two bedrooms, his and her baths, and a hot tub room. Passing through an alcove with his and her workspaces—one that's concealed behind a curved wall of collapsible doors—more curves ornament the hall, which is covered by an undulating ceiling of Barrisol vinyl suede.

In the baths, there was no doubt for the homeowners about what they wanted, and each had a different idea. For him, an enclosed shower with steam. For her, an open circular shower. Common to both baths and the hot tub room, earthy slate tiles from India are warm in both look and feel. Tiles in all floors and in the seat of the steam room are heated by electric coils below. The steam room seat is always warm, and splashing water dries in a flash.

In her bath, the open circular shower is the dramatic feature. Enclosed in glass block and blue and black Interstyle glass tiles, it is outfitted with multiple body sprays and a huge ceiling showerhead that cascades water like rain from above. Wall-mounted storage creatively saves floor space and contributes to the open feel of the room.

The homeowners are more than happy with their choices and would not change a thing about the overall design of their space. The loft suits their lifestyle and their expert sense of style, and conveys a funky yet utterly sophisticated feel.

Credits

Text
Casey Cheskey