Name: Michael Francesconi
Location: Downtown — Los Angeles, California
Size: 1,000 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years
Michael's home is not just another run-of the mill downtown space. While It is common to find concrete floors and industrial modern style furnishings in lofts, Michael has balanced out his space by incorporating color, built-ins, and unexpected furniture choices. I feel like visitors could easily forget that they are in a loft because the overall vibe feels more like a comfortable house!
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: Comfortably Modern
Inspiration: About 9 years of loft living in Downtown Los Angeles
Favorite Element: The floor to ceiling brick. I knew this was my home the moment I saw the brick.
Biggest Challenge: There was very little shelf space when I bought the loft, which is where the built-ins came in.
What Friends Say: Can't say for sure, but it's a constant place of gathering.
Biggest Embarrassment: I hear the window shades are transparent at night …
Proudest DIY: Less DIY and more found-art, the tumbleweed wire sculpture I found on the side of the road - it's been with me for half a decade.
Biggest Indulgence: No question, the couch. An old girlfriend helped me design it — 7 feet, extra deep, goose down and royal blue velvet. I love it.
Best Advice: A glass dining table. You've got to be extra conscious of visible space in a 1-bedroom loft. The dining room table I ended up with hosts 10 and doesn't hog the space a bit.
Dream Source: Long standing coveter of all things Cisco Brothers. New found fan of Croft House on La Brea. And if I could bring anyone in to handle it all, I'd love to let Miguel and Sherry Nelson of Marvimon and Smog Shoppe have at it.
Resources of Note:
APPLIANCES
- Bosch Range and Microwave
- KitchenAid Fridge
- Bosch Washer/Dryer
HARDWARE
- Scavolini Cabinetry
- John Boos Kitchen Island
- Toto Plumbing Fixtures
FURNITURE
- Custom Couch from Sofa Co.
- Tufted Chairs from Craigslist
- Dining Room Table from Calligaris
- Eames Chairs
- Bedside Table from Blueprint
ACCESSORIES
- Wire Ball from side of the road
- Typewriters from family
BEDROOM
- Bed from Blueprint
FLOORING
- Hardwood Floors
- Essenza Porcelain Tile
PAINT
- Benjamin Moore China White
- Benjamin Moore Decorators White
- Benjamin Moore Graphite
- Benjamin Moore Chalkboard
LIGHTING
- Pendants from Lamp Expo
- Table Lamp from Blueprint
OTHER
- Bedding by Matteo Home
Thanks Michael!
Images: Evan Koester
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wow I love it! what a warm inviting loft space.
you did a great job here. that couch was my favorite item. looks comfy!
when can I come over, lol
GORGEOUS. I especially love the kitchen and that blue couch!
I also love the Kitchen Color. It's fantastic. Great space.
Holy swoon and a half, that sofa is amazeballs!
I liked what I saw, however I felt like I was on a kitchen tour then was rushed through everything else. Womp womp :(
I love the built-ins next to the brick wall. Such a great home!!!
love everything about this apartment - so warm and inviting - it reflects the personality of the owner... LOVELY
So interesting that you have a John Boos counter in such a modern space. Do you have a photo at another angle to show the top of the counter?
I love your kitchen cabinets, the vintage file drawer cabinet and nightstand!
Not a fan of the blue velvet couch but it's me, not you... just not my taste.
Lovely bones and love what you did to it.
I love this place, especially the blue couch, and I think Michael has a very sweet smile. I wonder, Michael, if you worry about the brick ceiling coming down on you in an earthquake? I know I would.
I don't know. I think the place has nice bones but I just felt underwhelmed by the furniture. I saw too much "personal stuff" and not enough of the apartment's features. Meh.
gorgeous! love the kitchen cabinets... that color is lovely!
LOVE.LOVE.LOVE the couch... I really want a velvet blue sofa!
Completely amazing.
I love modern but sometimes it has a cold look to me. This doesn't. This place is warm and friendly and inviting but still has that modern edge.
Also, I'm not normally a fan of blue in a kitchen, but this one totally works!
Would love to see photos of storage solutions in a loft space like the Rowan since there are usually none other than kitchen cabinets.
so stylish yet so masculine. love it.
Swanky place. Nice shoes. Cool guy.
Oh wow, this is really beautiful.
i live three blocks down spring from you! and your loft is enviable! impressive!
so fantastic! i also see so many great book choices on your shelf and bedside table. thumbs up!
It is so refreshing to see such a bespoke kitchen which eschews the standard language of the current kitchen trends. Love those 60s retro handles.
Was there a picture of the found object wire ball sculpture? I didn't see it.
Love your place. The windows and the blue kitchen and sofa are delicious.
Love it! So confident, sexy and un-selfconscious.
Sussu -- I seem to be echoing your comments this morning!
Still, it deserves to be repeated --
LOVE this home! Love the personal (un-selfconscious) details. That blue velvet couch makes me swoon, as does the Matteo Home bedding. Very sexy.
I just get the sense that having this guy over for a dinner party would result in loads of interesting conversations.
Bravo!!!
(There is just one wee thing -- the floor. Dinesen Douglas Fir would have worked better than the faux-rustication.)
I like the wood floors (waxed?), exposed brick and the blue kitchen cupboards. What is the splashback? We've been looking for a splashback that fits in as part of an open plan living space.
Am I missing something? What's the story with the blue kitchen cabinets? Are they prefab? I thought they were built ins...if so, is this custom work? What's the surface and how does one describe the overall design? I guess I'm a bit clueless on this one.
Really pretty. I like the combination of the cool blue hues with the brick. The kitchen looks really pretty & perfect for the space. The only thing missing is a great piece of art for over the bed.
@veslabeachgirl:
The info on the kitchen is provided -- it's by Scavolini.
Looks like the "Scenery" model in periwinkle high gloss.
http://www.scavolini.us/cucine.asp?cu_id=65#/nav_4
--Sorry, periwinkle Glass Door (not gloss)
Something about a brick wall...Love it!
Possibly a stupid question but why is there a piece of glass that runs along the bottom of the windows?
I'm cuckoo for that blue couch! Thanks for sharing!
Agreed, blue velvet sofa -- deeeelish! What a great focal point!
I love that bed! Beautiful space overall!
Looove this. Wish there were more photos!
Wow- this guy has done an amazing job.
All of the warm brick is a wonderful juxtaposition to the icy blue coolness of the kitchen cabinets, so each is enhanced by the other.
The blue velvet on the couch plus the "plushiness" brings a touch of luxury to a space that could look too industrial with different furnishings.
I too, am a little mystified by the glass/plexiglass (?) running the length of the windows.
Is it childproofing? Pet proofing? Not-really-all-that-committed suicide proofing?
anyhoo- thanks to Michael for showing us his home!
I just love that kitchen space!
Wow..I'm not usually a fan of lofts, but I love this space. It's so cool and comfy! The couch is amazeballs, and I like the light blue glossy kitchen cabinets.
Plus, Mike is way cute!
Micheal,
The light reflecting off your kitchen cabinets is fabulous.. The brick, the bookshelves stunning!
Must.have.those.cool.blue.kitchen.cabinets.
What a great space! Love the simplicity of the bedroom especially.
COUCH! Want. Well done. x
I agree with you about the glass dining table-- I always advocate for glass in small spaces, because glass takes up less visual space.
Love the kitchen, the color is amazing. Love the built in's and the windows. It's warm and masculine and I would move in, in a minute.
As a fellow Rowanite I congratulate you on your space.
I've never seen a brick ceiling, and like the other commenter might be a bit nervous about it. I wonder how the earthquake retrofit people stabilized it. However - the place is great. I do love the brick walls and the great custom book case. Good job in all. No awkward spaces here!
Wow,, gives a new meaning to all the brickwork you have there, awesome nice couch circa 70's,, and very big inside,,i can stay there all day and be very comfortable,,,,thanks Mike!!
oh my. who is this man and how do i get him to either decorate my apartment or fall in love with me? the exposed brick...sexy couch...crazycool cabinets. ahhh. stunning. what a perfectly charming, warm space.
The loft is amazing.
Also, the comment by MyDogistheShihTzu had my whole family laughing so hard. Too Funny!
Ok.. I had to comeback and see this place again..And I liked the brickwork thats on the ceiling too, how they managed to put the light fixtures there too.this is one of the best tours I have seen so far,,Ive seen many and many but for some reason I like this one the best,I like how Mike did the kitchen blue and use alot blues to combine without looking so cluttered, the bathroom is awesome too.
OMG. How did I miss this until now??? Those pale blue Scavolini cabinets are to die for. Probably good I haven't seen this before today or I would not be able to afford my remodel. This guy has impeccable taste.
wonderful space, really well done. the bedroom and kitchen are fantastic!