Name: Christopher Cushingham
Location: Downtown Los Angeles, California
Size: 780 Square Feet
Years lived in: 6 months
Large windows are a valued element to loft living. Chris worked as a residential window cleaner growing up, which helped develop his appreciation for unique and expansive windows. In fact, these industrial windows and the generous natural light they provide sold him on this particular loft.
Working as an interior designer and having a strong interest in architectural lighting design, he put a lot of thought in the lighting of his loft. He made his own industrial up-lights, for the columns and walls, added new pendant lights to the kitchen, and installed electronic dimmers with a remote control in order to adjust the light levels from the bed.
When Chris moved into the loft after touring a similar unit down the hall, he was pleasantly surprised to discover a raw concrete wall. He preserved the character of the wall and decided to make the space his bedroom. The gray color of the wall plays into his modern color scheme.
Recently, Chris graduated from design school and decided to move out of his beloved loft in order to spend a few months traveling through Europe and discovering its architecture. There is no telling what his next project will be or what space he will conquer next. He dreams of an open New York loft, so we will keep in touch to hopefully capture a glimpse of his next big design transformation.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: A mix of modern, vintage, and industrial.
Inspiration: Living in the fashion district of downtown LA, I’ve been regularly inspired by the downtown city style: industrial buildings and abandoned warehouses next to art galleries and fashion showrooms. It is an interesting pocket of old, almost forgotten LA history, but it’s filling up with a creative youth culture. This apartment is in a fashion manufacturing building built in 1916 and designated a local historic monument. The new spirit in the old city around me inspired the design of it.
Favorite Element: The shelving unit is my favorite element and its multifunctional. It was a fun project that I made specifically for this space. It holds all of my books, movies, and random industrial artifacts, as well as a pull down projector screen, which makes for great movie nights.
Biggest Challenge: Because I knew that I was only going to be living here for six months, the biggest challenge was trying to make it feel homey and finished without sinking too much time and money into it. I never felt completely “finished” with this project, but in an industrial space like this I think “unfinished” works quite well.
What Friends Say: Everyone seems to enjoy the place; one of my friends calls it “a dreamer's dream." I enjoy bringing people in for their first time and watching their reaction as they come through the door. It makes the time and energy I put into it worthwhile.
Biggest Embarrassment: I don’t have a microwave, but I also view this as an accomplishment.
Proudest DIY: The pallet wood coffee table is my proudest DIY. It was the first piece of furniture I ever made, so it means a lot to me. I spent a lot of time in my parents' garage ripping apart old pallets I confiscated from an industrial park across the way. I had no idea what I was doing, but I borrowed my brother’s power tools and went to it. In the end, I produced a solid piece of furniture that I will probably keep forever.
Biggest Indulgence: The projector cost a pretty penny, but it has provided endless hours of entertainment and it will stick with me for a while. I think it was a solid investment.
Best advice: The question isn’t who is going to let you; it’s who is going to stop you.
Dream source: Cleveland Art, Get Back Inc., Ligne Roset, and B&B Italia
Resources of Note:
FURNITURE
- Craigslist: Luther Conover Fiberglass Wing Chair and Leather Desk Chair
- Home Depot: Wood and Pipes for DYI Desk and Shelving Unit
ACCESSORIES
- Fairfax/Melrose Flea Market
- Grandma's House
- Abandoned Building Down the Street
LIGHTING
- Rose Bowl Flea Market: Photography Tripod Lamp
- Sundance Catalog: Genesis Pendant Lights
BEDS
- Home Depot: DYI Bed Frame
ARTWORK
Thanks, Chris!
Images: Sean Stiegemeier and Dirk Mai
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Comments (56)
As a former downtown LA loft dweller myself, I appreciate this space quite a bit. It looks like the floor plan really flows well. Which, surprisingly even for lofts, can be hard to find.
I love the colors used on the walls and really like the unfinished (finished?) wall behind the bed.
I'm not liking the dead things on the wall or hanging from a hook. Seems a bit morbid to me, but that's ME. I think the rest is pretty cool.
I haven't even clicked through the entire House Tour yet and already I'm in love.
The lighting in this loft really impresses me. I also love the industrial pipes holding the projection screen.
But yeah, the dead things (especially the hanging dead thing) turns me off.
this is great- and I love the deer on the wall!
Love, love, love the DIY desk and shelving!
I love the idea of doubling the wall for both mirros and entertainment. If I ever have to sell by T.V to make room/money, I would totally do the projector idea. the school near me gives old projector screens to any one looking for them, so this idea may be in my future
Love the mirror "windows" that bring more light into an already light filled place. Love the projector/screen system and now I lust for that. I have a giant wall that would make a great screen, and save me pennies so that I could spend big bucks on the projector.
The hanging skull and the pics with "torture" and other horrifying words....makes the dream into a nightmare for me.
The industrial theme is certainly carried through with no mercy. I'm impressed that it looks liveable, even to anti-industrial me. Good job
Wow, such attention to detail! I really like this place. As far as the word art, I actually find it less depressing, oppressive, and disturbing that I would think I would. I almost find it kind of amusing because to me they alleviate the doom of hearing the news, in that they state the obvious, and well, they're pretty to look at...
Attention to detail, great vision, amazing ...etc. Bravo!
Beautiful, love the large workspace.
What a great use of space!
I am so bored of "industrial chic" that is so obviously and easily bought. I don't find this imaginative at all. What is with the antlers everywhere? And the skull on a pulley? It's so contrived. These are just signifiers that say, I know what is trendy right now. The whole appeal of industrialism is function and utilitarian style, isn't it? This is just way too precious.
This may be my favorite house tour ever! wonderful job!
what an amazing space. I love your eye for unusual detail - everywhere you look tells a story. great job and look forward to seeing what else you'll "dream" up. kudos.
I really like your corrugated cardboard ledge. Did you treat the cardboard in any way? Has it warped much since you installed it? Thanks for sharing!
Very unique and creative. I, too, do not like dead animals on display in my home and I really didn't see how it fit in with the whole decor. Nice pictures of the tour, Marcia.
Heh, finally a real deer on the wall and not one of those wood cutouts!
And also I don't see it as contrived at all. I like the way you have mixed the pipe and metal elements in multiple places and not just on the entertainment center. I really like the bed area, even though it's not my personal style. The light is really cool.
This is a very interesting space and I think you did a good job of designing in a very "masculine" way while maintaining a lot of originality.
The seeming fascination with death is a bit odd for a home but not out of the ordinary in human nature as many famous artists have painted masterpieces featuring death-related themes. It's not my personal style but it seems you've embraced it, so good job.
Beautifully done. Congratulations. And I love the "sexy abbatoir" loft vibe. What other people may see as contrived I see as little "winks" from the designer.
The sexy abattoir vibe? I think I've heard it all now! ;)
wink!
I like the industrial feel and the furniture, but the pics of torture, disease and the hanging skull on pulley would make me to afraid to visit you. Wonder what's hiding in your fridge. LOL
Recently, Chris graduated from design school...
No, really?
Snarkiness aside, there are a lot of great ideas here, mostly involving the interplay of textures. The burlap sack "wallpaper", the corrugated cardboard shelf, the mostly varnished cement wall and the wastewood coffee table are all inspired concepts.
The photo of the homeowner about to be decapitated by a ladder... not so much.
Also I plan to use the phrase "sexy abbatoir" at least once today :)
"Sporadic means once in a while. Try using it today in a sentence."- (Cher Horowitz to Tai)
....
"Be seeing you!" (Josh)
(Tai): "Yeah, I hope not sporadically"
Does anyone know where to source the Genesis Pendant fixtures? Sundance no longer carries them and will not reveal the name of the manufacturer.
Thanks!
Absolutely wonderful. I love the story as well.
I'm seeing lots of grey walls in recent house tours. Is this the colour du jour?
That low pine slat table reminded me of my bed - it's homemade with unfinished pine boards - just legs and slats - and I've had it for 24 years now.
I'm not offended by the deer head - it's just not my style. However, I'm not sure why it's more offensive to put a "dead thing" on your wall as opposed to, say, using "dead skin" to make a sofa, chair, or stool seat and then sit on it? :)
The other thing I've noticed recently is that words are "in." Like buying or making big wooden letters and putting them on display. Reminds me of that M Mary Tyler Moore had hanging on her wall in her studio apartment back in the days of the "Mary Tyler Moore Show."
Great job overall. Love the colours.
With an edge! Kinda like it.
yy... what about bathroom?
This is one of my favorite house tours so far. I love the cardboard shelf, the TV/mirror wall, concrete wall, and all the industrial touches. I actually like the animal heads too. Everything in the space jives with each other and it just all makes sense.
I think it's even more impressive that you just graduated design school and knew you were only going to live in the place for 6 months. That's a lot of work and definitely wasn't free.
Kudos and thanks for sharing!
Wow thank you for all the great feedback! Totally made my day :)
To answer your question Allioak: No the cardboard is not treated, just plain 2" cardboard from a shipping supplies store. It's fairly strong, and with the right placement of the brackets you can prevent bowing.
Great space.
hate the dead animals theme.
There is NOTHING in this place that I don't like.
Amazing job! I love all the quirky pieces - the 'wallpaper' above the kitchen cabinets, the shelves, the skull on the pulley ..... all very cool.
I do like the concept, how he made his own furniture. I love his personal qoute. As for the apartment itself... muh.
"I love the "sexy abbatoir" loft vibe."
Perfect! And now I simply must listen to Nick Cave.
Love the concrete wall behind the bed and the desk that you made. Great job!
Great textures. Nice use of space. Sweet space. Love it.
I admit, I had to look it up. But found this quote and thought it appropriate for the unique art pieces. "The hand of God and mankind's self-inflicted blows seem equally heavy ... giving a strong cumulative impression of the world as an abattoir" (Manchester Guardian Weekly).
I can't stop looking at this tour. Brilliant use of space and furniture. Everthing was pulled together nicely. Great work, Chris!
It's a total love/hate thing for me. Some of it does seem forced (hanging skull). But I kinda love it too. I want to come over live before I pass my final judgment ;) .... I'll bring the beer. This is a "beer" place to me! And that is the HIGHEST compliment!
I like this place. good detail. but did anyone else notice this guy only wears black mid-length jackets? Is he an assassin? Or maybe just a design student:)
I really like Chris's use of space, color and materials. Some of those tables are gorgeous.
I do, however, have to second Ladyofletters in that the overall aesthetic is just too self-aware. The decor has no soul. It's trendy, rather than stylish or artful. It's like a staged home, but for the hipster trustfund set. The dead animal heads are just dumb.
just a suggestion to soften the "dead animal" vibe that some people are having a hard time with.....this is for the hanging skull - put air plants in the eye sockets...that will look very cool. Metaphor - life grows from "dead things".
this place makes me wish i could do carpentry! love the DIY tables. also really adore the chair and projector in front of the mirrors. and the gigantic windows. niiice
Agree. The apartment is great, especially is Chris came with the deal.
Honest question: are the people turned off by (obvious) dead animal parts also turned off by leather? It's a dead animal part, only it's been allowed to absorb carcinogens too.
I like most of it but the hanging skull. Not into design that looks like butchery.
Gray cement anything just doesn't do it for me either. I call it the "prison look".
I'm big on privacy & not making my bed so the bed area would never work for me. I need an area that is not public.
I feel that this a rather rudementary loft. I prefer to see deer wandering around in the woods and not hanging on a wall. Sorry but this place does not do it for me.
Impressive in regards to Chris knowing he was only there for 6 months. With all that DIY furniture?! His motivation is inspiration in itself.
I like it: animal parts, exposed concrete, and DIY furniture. Chris, thanks for sharing.
Creative use of materials.
ssssooo agree with anittah (sp?) very handmade. very cool. if it is trendy, so what? you MADE it and you USE it; that is industrial. can't wait for the skulls and dead animals thing to be over with though. this place would have just as much impact w/out them. they are jarring, not interesting, drawing the eye quckly and forcefully to an element that repulses me. and i guess that marais stools are now replacing the eames chairs. lol! overall, good layout, palette and vim.
The dead things can't be Feng Shui - unless described as 'sexy abbatoir'.
I came across this post and I am curious what the dimensions on the desk materials are? I am very seriously going to build one or two of these for myself and possibly my wife. I am curious, especially about the glass surface, what the dimensions you used are? Any guidance you can provide would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Say "yes" to no microwaves! Good man!
Digging all the handmade pieces.