Reinventing space takes great vision. Sometimes the simplicity of raw materials like cement, concrete block, white subway tiles and even rusting metal panels can be used to elevate a space. A former automobile electrical-parts business in Atlanta's West End was transformed into a work / live space that remains close to its industrial roots — so close, that the anonymous exterior remains nearly unchanged after an extensive renovation...
The New York Times story Second Life explores the changes in the building that houses David Yocum and Brian Bell's architecture firm, bldgs and a living space for Yocum and his wife. The interior of the building was opened up with a 1,650-square-foot courtyard. The addition of large windows into the open courtyard and skylights in the new roof supply the space's natural light...
There are additional photos in the accompanying slideshow and even more (including a floorplan) here.
(Pics: Dwight Eschliman)
Veronica & Keith's Handmade Chic 
Before & After: A Bathroom Goes From Pinky Peach to Sleek and Chic
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Hunslet Dinner Plate
A Beginner's Guide to Superb Stir-Fry: Quick, Healthy Meals from a Wok
Easy Pitcher Cocktail Recipe: Strawberry Basil Margaritas
Comments (10)
Love that courtyard -- amazing project.
love this. thanks.
Beautiful use of natural light. Nice open spaces inside and out. I even like the industrial exterior.
What doesn't work for me is the artwork and the bathroom. I think most of the artwork is too small and/or spread out and gets lost in the vast open spaces. The Mexican beach pebbles are a great visual impact in the bathroom but how do you keep them clean and odor free?
really love the place -- is the bathroom floor a tiled product or is it a load of rocks? I'm assuming the latter?
I too agree with the art work. In a space that large I would do something that would make an visual impact instead of getting lost. You could always go on a very large scale but do something that was more textural based with colors that were more mute.
I don't believe I have ever seen a loose stone floor like this one in the bathroom. I love the idea but don't know about the practicality.
Very nice. That bathroom floor is great for cleaning too.
I like this a lot, too.
The ballsy part is leaving the street exposure unpolished.
I liked it as well. I have often thought about buying some purpose-built defunct commercial business and living in it, unbeknownst to anyone driving by.
Or a stand-alone commercial office building. I'd post a cryptic sign like Funkmeister And Associates, Consulting.
The bathroom floor.......saw the same impact while I was in Rio and Punta Del Este, Uruguay....fun and exciting. So simple and yet elegant.
http://bldgs.org/projects/villademurph/index.html
Where are these chairs from?
I would love to find them.