apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

First up is Leah and Mike Spurrier's 730 sq ft loft which is pictured above. In order to organize the space, they decided to use floor-to-ceiling sheers to create designated areas while still preserving the "open-ness" of their loft. A few issues they had to deal with were the lack of light and storage. They installed track lights throughout the apartment to brighten the space; and they hung a 27-foot long curtain of lightweight crepe from the heating ducts about two feet from the wall to create storage for clothes, linens, and various other things. With a curtain running the entire length of the loft, it gave their home a softer feel.

The Spurriers didn't just rely on curtains to divide the spaces: they also found old shutters to hang above a table to partition off their office space; a series of mirrors along the wall for their entryway; and bookshelves against an opposite wall to outline their dining area.

One solution that we particularly like is the stacked old school lockers that were painted a bright yellow and used as a kitchen pantry. It not only does the job really well, but it maintains that industrial look that are so characteristic of lofts. "You have to be fiercely selective and pay more attention to what you have, because in a one-room you see all of it all the time. It becomes one big composition. Every little quadrant becomes part of the bigger quadrant. You have to make sure there's transition when you change something. It's not like a house where each room might have its own little design or identity.""

Letitia Waller's 1,100 sq ft studio was truly the quintessential loft space: exposed brick walls, polished hardwood floors, and bare beams. Her space is decorated with artisan crafts and artwork that she's been collecting. "I find myself wanting to expand my collection, but I have to be mindful to keep that harmony. Things tend to close in if you are not careful," she says. "And the presentation has to be just so because everything is out in the open."

Waller mixes her kitchen essentials with artistic touches: a huge urn stands on the living area side of the kitchen island, and the stained glass pieces are juxtaposed with the industrial look of her home. Plus, we like the look of her pots and pans hanging beneath the heavy-duty stainless steel shelves (we're guessing S-hooks).

Read more about these lofts at The Cincinnati Enquirer.

[ Photos by Steven M. Herppich for Cincinnati's Enquirer ]