This Bright Loft in a Former Sewing Factory Is the Most Colorful Home

Name: George Banks-Weston, my husband, Mark, and our dog, Hilde
Location: South Kensington, Philadelphia
Size: 1,550 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year, renting

Our loft is in a building that used to be a sewing factory. My husband, Mark, is a collage artist from Port Antonio, Jamaica and I am a food blogger from a small town in Pennsylvania. Our difference in upbringing and personal interests has definitely impacted how we’ve decorated and furnished our home in the past, so when we saw this place we saw a blank canvas ready to merge our styles. We also saw ample space for our mini dachshund mix, Hilde, to run around to her heart’s desire.

Facing east, and at over 1,500 square feet, our loft gets an overwhelming amount of light, has a sizable kitchen, and provides us with ample room to entertain. It also has two large bedrooms, one of which functions as Mark’s studio. Having so much room and wall space initially posed challenges. But it ultimately turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it allowed us to finally showcase some fantastic pieces that were previously boxed away. As art enthusiasts, our home has three gallery walls filled with pieces made by friends or inherited from family. We also have included art from our travels and some personal pieces we’ve both created.

While Mark prefers a more neutral color palette, I have an infatuation with bright colors and patterns. Both of our styles are well reflected throughout our home. In our living room, we have one green couch and one gray couch (where each of lounge respectively). We intentionally used darker wood for side tables and our coffee table and try to bring color into the mix through smaller items. For example, Mark’s sister lives in Norway and creates hand-painted stones, so we have them placed on different surfaces around our home.

Lastly, one of our favorite pieces in our home is our dining room table. At the time it was created, I was inspired by wooden tables with metal hairpin legs. I ordered hairpin legs online with the intent to paint a slab of wood to attach them to. This plan was foiled on a trip to IKEA, where I found a white table top, shaped like a wave in the “as-is” section. This coincidence created a finished product that is a conversation piece whenever new friends come to visit.

Thanks, George!

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