Amber & Ryan’s Downtown LA Loft

Name: Amber & Ryan
Location: Downtown — Los Angeles, California

We ended up with a lease on this massive two story industrial loft inside a 1900s factory building completely by chance 18 months ago, when our best friends had to move out unexpectedly after investing thousands of dollars into building it out as a living space. They just wanted their investment to stay in the family. For years, we had been in love with the original exposed brick and hardwood floors, 25 foot ceilings, and east-facing arched windows, so of course we said yes.

Keeping clutter minimal but interesting, we fill our home with a mix of organic modern and vintage modern. I get most of my inspiration from nature and the southwest. I love minimalist lines, with a restricted but interesting color palette, punctuating black and white patterns with pops of unexpected jewel tones and earthy faux neutrals with absurd or humorous details. I adore desert-influenced handwoven textiles and geometric patterns. I’m always scouring thrift stores for old books, art, poster designs, midcentury modern furniture, and antique brass and knickknacks by my favorite authors, artists, designers and decades (1930s and the 1960s).

My favorite thing in the loft is our vintage Atari four player Pong (Quadrapong) console from 1973. It was the first arcade cocktail game ever made! The octagonal shape is perfect for our vintage corner booth and it still works, so it’s the best party starter ever! It pays homage to my husband’s work for the video game industry, but the interior designer in me still adores the cream finish, thick black glass top, geometric lines and historical significance.

I also can’t get enough of this somber Frida Kahlo portrait painted by my friend Kristi Rose from Tucson or my hand painted midcentury modern abstract painting by an unknown artist named BRIAN.

As much as we love being in our home, our favorite hangout spot is definitely the roof (with access stairs from the bedroom) and its panoramic view of the downtown Los Angeles skyline.

Thanks, Amber & Ryan!

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