Daniel & Mercedes’ Midcentury Meets Industrial Loft

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

Name: Daniel and Mercedes
Location: South Park — Downtown Los Angeles, CA
Size: 978 Square Feet
Years lived in: 2 — Rent

Daniel and Mercedes Curran live in a renovated downtown loft building, where they have built a cozy home that celebrates the charms of postwar and midcentury classics. They have a knack for shopping and sourcing great pieces on a budget and they are not afraid to use every square foot of their loft.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Thanks for getting to share this loft goes to the lovely Giovan and Chloe Polanco, who told me immediately after shooting their home to get in touch with their friends The Currans. The Currans’ loft boasts very high vaulted ceilings, a true lofted bedroom, and the original black and white checkered floor. Daniel is a Design Associate at Apolis and Mercedes does public relations & community development for FIDM. Mercedes can also be found crafting at MercyMade and musing on her Tumblr blog

As busy as they both are, you can see why they enjoy coming home to such warm, spacious environment. Their love for industrial accessories mixed with midcentury furniture has seamlessly come together in an otherwise modern setting. Mercedes and Daniel note that their vintage clothing collection and musical instruments are the most important things in their home; surrounding them as they spend alot of time perfecting their crafts and enjoying the space.

Very shortly Daniel and Mercedes will be downsizing to a 500 square foot house in Silver Lake. I asked them why the change to a completely different housing style; to which they said they craved the outdoor space and the challenge of decorating a small home. Believing that the most essential part of designing a home is “finding a balance where function meets great aesthetics”, Mercedes is excited to create a functioning outdoor dining space at their new home. Charmed by Los Angeles’ classic styles of architecture “We really appreciate and long for more of the beautiful and rare Art Deco and post-war craftsmanship that is hidden throughout the city. We strive to bring that same quality and charm into our space.”

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Our Style: Mid century meets turn of the century industrial

Inspiration: Pre-WWII craftsmanship and post-war innovation, finding the best from past decades. The ability to create something beautiful that is also useful, and doesn’t get in the way, which we see in companies like Apple.

Favorite Element: We love the character we get from the original black and white tile floor (which indicates this unit used to be the kitchen or the daycare for the Federal Reserve Bank built in 1929), and the 17 ft ceilings give a great open feeling.

Biggest Challenge: It’s one big open room with no storage besides the kitchen, so we had to lay out furniture in a way that separates spaces, while also creating storage that was invisible.

What Friends Say: It makes them feel as though they are a part of the home we have created together.

Biggest Embarrassment: Dust bunnies & our rickety dining table.

Proudest DIY: Vintage Chandeliers originally sourced for and hung at our wedding.

Biggest Indulgence: We are all about the find and DIY with our furniture and decor, so it’s mostly things like our Dyson vacuum or Simple Human trash can and Apple technologies

Best Advice: Strive to harmonize your place of living with the things that create well-being in the rest of your life. For us that comes from adding plants, areas to entertain friends, and space for crafting/art/design.

Dream Sources: Rose Bowl flea market, Portland antique stores

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Resources of Note:

PAINT & COLORS

ENTRY

LIVING ROOM

DINING ROOM
• Folding Table, Filing Cabinet: Vintage – yardsale
• Pink Shell Chairs: Salvaged from a dumpster
• Filing Cabinet: St Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
• Custom Size Wire Shelving (Behind Curtain): shelving.com
• Sewing Desk / Chair: Vintage
• Art around sewing area: Emile Norman
• Long Table/Desk: Ikea

KITCHEN

BEDROOM

• Clothing Hangers: Target and Costco

OFFICE AREA

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Thanks, Daniel and Mercedes!

Images: Bethany Nauert

• HOUSE TOUR ARCHIVE Check out past house tours here
• Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy? Contact the editors through our House Tour Submission Form.
• Are you a designer/architect/decorator interested in sharing a residential project with Apartment Therapy readers? Contact the editors through our Professional Submission Form.