Name: Francis and Jane
Location: Civic Center (south of Canal, east of Tribeca), New York City
Size: 2,200 square foot rental loft
Years Lived In: 8 years
A couple of decades ago, Francis, a Belgian architect, found a place to work and eventually live that was off the radar but in plain sight. It's an NYC neighborhood that remains somewhat nameless, but offered enviable square footage and a landlord who welcomed any improvements Francis wished to make.
Over time, Francis created a home. Little by little, the sprawling, raw loft was outfitted to accommodate an increasing number of bedrooms. With each child — Jane and Francis now have three kids — Francis enclosed a corner here, an alcove there, including sliding doors and transoms to preserve as much light as possible. He also made sure that ample common space remained a priority and that bedrooms were mostly for sleeping.
The only natural light source is a wall of rear windows facing a narrow alley. Despite this fact, Francis managed to make the long, narrow space feel bright and open through the use of strategic artificial lighting and white floors throughout the apartment.
Part of the living room is designated kid space, and both Francis and Jane encourage their kids to keep their toys within this area. While it's always a challenge, Francis has managed to design a home that is both sophisticated and welcoming to small children. And as a minimalist, Francis has provided a good bit of quiet and empty space, liberating in a crowded city such as ours.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Style: Cozy, modern.
Inspiration: New York City streets.
Favorite Element: The Snake and Turtle Chair by Jane.
Biggest Challenge: Keeping it neat.
What Friends Say: What a space!
Biggest Embarrassment: The crooked faucet in the bathroom.
Proudest DIY: Installing the kitchen.
Biggest Indulgence: Mummy Chairs by Peter Traag for Edra at the dining table.
Best Advice: Trust your intuition.
Dream Source/Resources: D'Apostrophe showroom at 394 Broadway
Resources:
LIVING ROOM
- • Sofa: Viccarbe at Dominic Lepere
• Coffee table: own design
• Bookcase in Sycamore: own design
• Console under TV: own design
• Rug: Bliss by Limited Edition at d'apostrophe llc
• Lamp: Flos
• Snake and Turtle Chair by Jane D'Haene
DINING ROOM
- • Table: Ann Demeulemeester for Bulo
• Chairs: Mummy Chairs: Peter Traag for Edra
• Chandelier: Ingo Maurer
KITCHEN and DINING
- • Stools: Kartell
MASTER BEDROOM
- • Bed and side tables: own design
• Lamps: Philippe Starck for Flos
• Rug: Odegard
Thanks, Francis and Jane!
For more images of Francis and Jane's great home, check out Francis and Jane's Family in a Loft Kids Tour and Francis and Jane's Adapt a Raw Loft Kitchen Tour.
(Images: Jill Slater)
• HOUSE TOUR ARCHIVE: Check out past house tours here.
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The snake and turtle chair = Cthuhlu.
So, Chinatown?
Where is the bedding in the master from?
Oh my god, that Pokemon wall. How did you do that??
I love this place. Fabulous. The dining room chairs are awesome.
Sooooooooo cooooooooooooool. And I love that snake chair and turtle chair.
Really like the kids space in the living room as well as their rooms. Yup, that Pokemon wall is fabulous.
The entire space is very nicely done. I agree the snake chair is a hoot..but is it comfortable?
Not a fan of the mummy chairs..they look like they've been in an accident. :o{
Why so many bars on the windows?
I agree with LyonStill. Love the kids room. I find the mummy chairs creepy, but maybe it was the lighting in the photo.
Another thumbs down for the mummy chairs. Otherwise, a great place!
I was so psyched to look at this space after seeing the lead photo and new it was a loft space. It looks interesting based on what one can see and then using his imagination, imagine what the layout really looks like. I don't know what it is with AT but more than most house tours images are close ups taken of "things" and don't give one a complete picture of the project. It's obvious a lot of work went into this space and yet one cannot sense any kind of idea as to how really large it is. The family style is similar to mine so I would have really appreciated seeing more of the loft in general than the cutesy close up photo's. I love the red kitchen cabinets and the wrapped dining chairs.
Fun. Funner. Funnest! Funnest home I've seen.
Did someone just wrap ace bandages on those chairs... at lease if anyone sprains an ankle you will know where to look. And it's great for kids, because there are no sharp corners. Joking aside, this is a sweet place. That kid has it made. His miniature furniture is WAY nicer than my adult stuff. And I really freaking love miniature chairs ...so I think it's great.
Nice! Great home with children's things in the overall design.
Mummified chairs!
The pokemon manga wall was awesome. I love how modern/kid friendly this place was. Not to mention those wrapped chairs were awesome.
I've never seen the Mummy Chairs in an actual living space. Very nice.
The chair looks like one of the creations of Humberto and Fernando Campana of Brazil.
Google "Humberto and Fernando Campana stuff animal chair" and you'll see what I mean.
I do like this but I agree it's VERY frustrating to not be able to get a sense of the space in its entirety and how it all knits together. Too many closeups and medium shots. A floorplan would also be great.
Re the Pokemon wall, I also see Tintin in there, nice way to incorporate a Belgian touch.
Love the mummy chairs! Every space seems so well thought out.. with wonderful 'surprises' dotting throughout.
What about the gorgeous, orange, child-sized chair and ottoman? Where is that from?
The bars are on the windows that open out onto the fire escape.
I love seeing tours of NYC lofts! This apartment reminds me of the building where I grew up and the homes of many of my childhood friends.
I agree with LyonStill. My first thought on those mummy chairs was that they looked injured. The snake chair made me smile though.
Nice work if you can get it!
Love the corridor wall with multiple photos, well done.
Makes m place look like .... Ugh. Jealous.
Sweet remix though. And for less than 75 grand!
Nice space, but am the only one who found the pictures puzzling? There were a lot of shots of open doorways and like a corner of something. The kids' rooms seemed very choppy.
Thumbs up on the mummy chairs!
I agree with gwalters415.
Does anyone have any information on the large photo on the wall by the desk? Also, on the second shelf above the computer is a book called 'New York'; I've been trying to find this book but don't know the author.
cool place!
The mixing of kid's space and adult space, the whimsical and the sculptural, the clean lines and funky pieces--from the snake & turtle chair to the wrapped chairs to the Pokemon wall-- as well as the motifs, such as the truly unique but unpretentious chandeliers: this is an exceptional space. You can see how every family member can engage this space for so many activities. Too often, AT house tours seem like amateur museums or retailer's showrooms. This space is invites play. It's really engaging, not just a bunch of pretty pictures or status possessions. This is a home.
I love everything in this house.