Evan & Greg’s Small Cool Downtown LA Loft

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Name: Evan Harrison, Greg Gasawski & their schnauzer Bug
Location: Downtown — Los Angeles, California
Size: 850 square feet
Years lived in: 2 — rent

Evan (who is currently seeking new work with a designer or showroom) and Greg (a law student at Southwestern Law) submitted their home to the Small Cool Contest on Apartment Therapy earlier this year. In spite of the fact that they received more commentary on the snapshots of their home versus the actual design and space itself, I found it to be quite awesome. I love loft spaces, and have always admired how unique they are.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

view of the living room, their vintage Moroccan Suzani and their adorable schnauzer Bug (Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

A well laid out and furnished open space can be quite hard to achieve, but interior decorator Evan Harrison easily draws inspiration from family and his New York upbringing. Trying to re-create the essence of their New York loft, Evan and Greg have a collection of music, art, old family photographs, gorgeous rugs and richly colored pillows and furniture. Their newest addition since the Small Cool Contest is the giant vintage Moroccan Suzani that hangs on their wall over the living room. Loft living is always challenging, especially in a large building with several residences, yet it was quiet and really spacious.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style: There are no words for it… trust me.

Inspiration: I’ve always been inspired by my Uncle, Arthur Leibowitz who was an incredible interior designer and even more so was an old friend who recently passed away. Maxine De La Falaise, those crazy old English broads really know how to do up a place.

Oh…and World of Interiors

Favorite Element: 1) I have always loved my Suzanis, you can do anything with them, throw them over furniture, drape a bed or just hang them on a wall and you get immediate drama plus they take up a LOT of space and if you play your cards right and do your homework you can get them for a steal. 2) I also love my French-ish dresser, I don’t know why, I just do. 3) My vintage 70’s mirrored desk, it seems to work wherever you put it, in almost any décor. I love furniture that works everywhere, a dining table that can become a library table, my French chest of drawers could go from the bedroom to the entrance hall, my mirrored desk could also work as a console table.

Biggest Challenge: 1) Always lighting. 2)Being that I’m so homesick I tried to make my LA loft look and feel like my old New York apt…NOT EASY!

What Friends Say: “Oh…that’s nice!” or “Cool!”

Biggest Embarrassment: Having to have our tv out in the open

Proudest DIY: What’s that? (Followed up later on with “Oh, no. I don’t. Never.”)

Biggest Indulgence: Restoration work on the mirrored desk

Best Advice: 1) Don’t rush into anything (unless it’s a deal of a lifetime) you’ll probably regret it in a few months 2) Whenever you have friends traveling abroad give them some idea of what you’re looking for and a budget, then cross your fingers. 3) Don’t follow trends; buy what you love because eventually it will be in style at some point of your life.

Dream Sources: Gave up on that a long time ago!

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Resources of Note:

PAINT & COLORS

ENTRY

LIVING ROOM

DINING ROOM

KITCHEN

BEDROOM

BATHROOM

Shanghai Tien 03

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Thanks, Evan and Greg!

Images: Bethany Nauert

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Originally published 11.2.10 – JL