A Light-Filled Loft in Santa Fe Has Tons of Natural Wood and a Cool Spiral Staircase

Name: Dana Taylor
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Type of home: Loft
Size: 735 square feet
Years lived in: 6 months, owned

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: When my plans got canceled due to the pandemic, I had no choice but to pivot. Instead of traveling, I bought this light-filled little loft in Santa Fe and have spent the past six months filling her with old treasures and new finds and lots and lots of plants. She feels much larger than her square footage implies. The high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows spoke to my passion for mid-century design. There is a lot of natural wood in the space. Wood beams in both the den and kitchen offset the exposed ductwork so synonymous with loft living, allowing her to feel warm and homey.

I love a good color story! My personal color palette is comprised of five hues; black, brown, gray, off-white, and green. And my home is no different. My personal style consists of contrasts, utilitarian mixed with bohemian. My home is dressed very similarly; industrial mixed with organic. Our homes are reflections of our personalities, and the colors and textures we are most drawn to land on our backs, on our walls, and beneath our feet.

What is your favorite room and why? I would have to say the dining room is my favorite space. Viewing the dining table from my den is so satisfying. Vintage mid-century chairs (obtained during my time as a gallery owner) coupled with my newly-acquired Razor dining table are just dreamy together. Running the length of the dining table is a beloved vintage textile I brought back from Peru. It had been stored for many years and while unpacking it I found it had been accosted by bugs and deteriorated from years of neglect. I was heartbroken. But not defeated. Fortunately, not all was destroyed. I turned what was left into a collection of framed pieces, and I couldn’t be happier with the happenstance.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? I just brought home a mid-century black metal nightstand with a white marble tabletop. It’s industrial meets European glamour. I love it! And the delicate brass faux branch drawer pull is whimsical. My bedroom is still very much a work in progress and the last room to be completed. But I’ll give a hint as to where it’s headed. The walls are black. Chalkboard paint in black. Musings and scribbles await.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Mid-century, Modern, Organic, Industrial, Bohemian

Any advice for creating a home you love? Don’t feel you have to rush the process. Take that time to live in the space and listen carefully for direction. She (or he) will inform you, but it could take some time. When you embrace the aesthetic of a place and allow the architecture to influence how you decorate, magic happens. Mixing design styles and blending old and new, light and dark, highbrow and lowbrow, creates interesting counterpoints. Combining high-end pieces with second-hand store scores and items from places like World Market and Home Goods, along with treasures from your travels makes for an eclectic home. And creates a home that feels lived-in and thoughtful.

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

Share Your Style: House Tour & House Call Submission Form