Before and After: Warming Up Cool Minimalism
Categories: Decorating, Luxury Living
After taking a sneak peek at the WestEnd lofts in Marina del Rey, California, I jumped for joy. I've never seen a loft space look so cozy, lived-in and perfectly furnished. And although I used to flock to harsh, brick walls and exposed piping, I've recently become more drawn to a warmer, more homey setting -- perfectly embodied in this lovely project from The Kor Group. To find out just how the designers achieved the look, I hunted down project manager and photographer Laure Joliet, who worked on the WestEnd lofts project with designer Nadia Geller.
When attempting to create a cozy atmosphere, textures are key. Laure notes, "Shag rugs, cozy drapes and some pillows on the sofa [are essential]. Listen to the echo in your place (if there is one, then you need more textiles to soften it!). Think about surfaces: floors, walls, ceiling. A solid linen or classic sisal are classic pieces that work into lots of different kinds of decor but aren't a huge investment, since they can be found inexpensively and are so versatile in different spaces."
In this space, textures are accented with plenty of vintage, thrifted and handmade goods. Laure utilized talented independent designers such as MudPuppy, Yellow Owl Workshop, Paige Russell and Pigeon Toe Ceramics to furnish the loft's accessories. "I never realized how important accessories are to a room feeling finished and how many layers that tends to take," says Laure.
Laure's personal favorite piece? "My favorite space is the library area..and I don't think it would be the same without the incredible chandelier from Lindsey Adelman. She worked with us (and our tight deadline) and it was really a dream to be able to use something so special in the design," says Laure.
Of course, Laure has a few tips up her sleeve for those of us who don't have our own personal design teams. "Look at how many textures you have around. Do you have wood, glass and metal, or just a lot of wood? I've heard designers talk about having tension between elements in a room to create visual interest, and I feel like we did that on a smaller scale with texture. If you're afraid of lots of color then choosing to mix up materials is a low risk way to go. You can stick with a neutral palette and choose different materials, but choose a couple of colors to incorporate in the accessories," Laure adds.
Now that these lofts are furnished to perfection, they're on sale for a pretty penny. If you're in the area, take a tour through WestEnd Lofts to see Laure (and her team's) handiwork!
Want to see a few more before and after transformations? Read more:
-Before and After Bedroom: From Bland to Glam
-3 Days, $1500, One Dramatic Makeover
BEFORE 
Photo: Laure Joliet
AFTER 
Photo: Laure Joliet
When attempting to create a cozy atmosphere, textures are key. Laure notes, "Shag rugs, cozy drapes and some pillows on the sofa [are essential]. Listen to the echo in your place (if there is one, then you need more textiles to soften it!). Think about surfaces: floors, walls, ceiling. A solid linen or classic sisal are classic pieces that work into lots of different kinds of decor but aren't a huge investment, since they can be found inexpensively and are so versatile in different spaces."
In this space, textures are accented with plenty of vintage, thrifted and handmade goods. Laure utilized talented independent designers such as MudPuppy, Yellow Owl Workshop, Paige Russell and Pigeon Toe Ceramics to furnish the loft's accessories. "I never realized how important accessories are to a room feeling finished and how many layers that tends to take," says Laure.
BEFORE 
Photo: Laure Joliet
AFTER 
Photo: Laure Joliet
Laure's personal favorite piece? "My favorite space is the library area..and I don't think it would be the same without the incredible chandelier from Lindsey Adelman. She worked with us (and our tight deadline) and it was really a dream to be able to use something so special in the design," says Laure.
Of course, Laure has a few tips up her sleeve for those of us who don't have our own personal design teams. "Look at how many textures you have around. Do you have wood, glass and metal, or just a lot of wood? I've heard designers talk about having tension between elements in a room to create visual interest, and I feel like we did that on a smaller scale with texture. If you're afraid of lots of color then choosing to mix up materials is a low risk way to go. You can stick with a neutral palette and choose different materials, but choose a couple of colors to incorporate in the accessories," Laure adds.
Now that these lofts are furnished to perfection, they're on sale for a pretty penny. If you're in the area, take a tour through WestEnd Lofts to see Laure (and her team's) handiwork!
Want to see a few more before and after transformations? Read more:
-Before and After Bedroom: From Bland to Glam
-3 Days, $1500, One Dramatic Makeover
