Name: Elyse
Location: The Brewery — Downtown Los Angeles, California
Walking into Elyse's loft reminds me of entering my high school cafeteria for the first time. It's vast, there's a lot to take in, the jocks, drama geeks and potheads (or in this case, kitchen, office and bedroom) have each staked out their own territory with just enough spillover to keep me on my toes, and I'm not quite sure I'm cool enough to be there.
Elyse is a jewelry designer and artist. Her home, like her art, is an exercise in contradiction: expansive yet efficient, industrial but natural. Huge, bulbous balloon sculptures, filled with her own breath, have--over time--withered and evolved to saggy artsy grandparents. Shiny urethane-dipped earrings hang next to geode necklaces that she calls "nature's surprise."
When she moved into the "Beverly Hills" of the Brewery complex (more spacious, better views) in 2009, she gutted most of the loft to install a new kitchen and an upstairs living area. Upstairs is bright and has a relaxing, natural, southwest vibe filled with unexpected touches. Even her closet's doorknobs are made from polished round stones. Downstairs is all business; the front area is for showing jewelry and art projects, and in back, the kitchen and double-desk, double-computer office area would make any studio-dweller's heart twinge with jealousy.
Everywhere you look there's a surprise: a wax head lying on a bookshelf, a collection of antique cameras, but the best part about Elyse's loft is the air. It feels creative, electric with great ideas.
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-Jennifer
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Love the layout of this loft. Need more pictures to take it all in. Full tour? The sitting area with the awesome coffee table is really nice.
I like those simple leany shelf thingys. Pobably wouldn't look right in my non-loft space, but they could be a simple way to display and store records.
it was very well written. the living room space in the loft was fantastic. confused about the space on the main floor. i feel like even if it's there for creating and displaying jewelry, is there a reason why all the furniture is smashed up against the walls?
was there some kind of line-dancing tournament down there before the shoot?
She should loft a separate sleeping playform over the front door area. Even with the sloped ceiling, there's certainly room for it.
i always love posts about lofts, since they're such blank canvases. love the descriptions of the loft and its tenant!
Love the southwest vibe in the modern space, keeps it playful and warm without feeling cold or unpersonal.
I love this post! So well written, it drew me in with all of the imaginative imagery and pitch perfect humor. The loft looks wonderful, I especially like the boldly creative, yet warm second floor. I hope to read more from Jennifer!
I just moved into a studio, and while it's obviously not a loft, this has given me some great new ideas for my space. I'm into the splash of bright color in the kitchen, and I think I could add some theatricality to my main living space by doing something similar (obviously my place is in more of the drama geek section of the cafeteria). I know it's probably way out of my price range, but I am obsessed with that table! Does anyone know where she got it or how to find out? Otherwise, any ideas of how I could find a similar, cheaper version?
where is that couch from! i need it. love the southwest feel of the loft!
A nice and airy space. I loved the description of the loft!
Ohh, I'd do almost anything for that coffee table!
I love the openness of this space and the bio makes it sound quite alluring. The cabinetry doesn't quite fit in though -- the plastic quality distracts from the natural aesthetics.
"It feels creative, electric with good ideas." is a good description of this loft. I especially like the bed area and the creative way the photographs are framed nearby.