The sky above Los Angeles was filled with enormous mountains of threatening black clouds that day – the kind that promise to reek havoc on a populace going about its daily chores. The celestial conditions seemed to only underscore the intrigue behind the telephone call that I had just received from an old client.

With an air of great mystery he told me that he had just purchased an actual loft space – not in downtown where struggling artists were known to live in such dwellings- but somewhere in West Hollywood and asked me to come as quickly as possible to an address with some floral name (that escapes me at this writing) and let him know what I thought of his new acquisition and what I could possibly do with such a space so that it would realize its full potential that he knew was just waiting to be uncovered. I told him to wait for me and set out to brave the elements.

By the time I met him in the building lobby the first of the rain was just starting to splatter on the sidewalks and windows, but I didn’t seem to care. I was going to see my first loft home and my creative juices were already flowing!

I’ve come to learn since then that lofts are known for certain inherent characteristics. Originally they were considered multi-function residences containing both living and working spaces and were probably first latched onto by artists and other bohemian types. Nowadays they’ve evolved to become simply fashionable residences for the well-heeled and have appeared in all areas of our valley. My client’s new home met many of the loft requirements such as huge windows, beams or columns that supported very high ceilings (at least 16 feet) and a maple floor – though concrete is also widely used.

What he didn’t have was an open floor plan or exposed pipes or brick. Still it was a loft (and there was a staircase that led to an upper floor - what fun!) and so this space would demand a different take on furniture and design than is customary in a more average type home. By its very nature of being “out of the box” a loft allows us to play with many styles and mix in various accents pieces from several genres. There are fewer rules when designing for a loft which makes the whole process extremely creative and representative of the owner’s spirit and personality.

In the case of my client, right from the get- go he expressed his desire for a somewhat high-end industrial look punctuated with whimsical art pieces and of course his favorite shade of blue. I thought it a great way to go and was off and running with the concept. Of course contemporary furniture would work best. I decided to design sleek pieces with defined shapes that would play off the architectural elements in the home.

By now my adrenaline was pumping in rhythm with the rain pounding against the over-size windows as I saw combinations of wood, glass, chrome and stainless steel gracing the rooms of this home that was coaxing so much creativity out of me that I was beginning to scare myself. What freedom to design – it felt wonderful!

The entry console would be made of brushed steel and black laminate and above it would hang a wild, cutting- edge mirror design in a steel frame. The kitchen and bar were to be cloaked in squares of stainless steel with my client advising me that he expected up-to-the minute materials and appliances. Black granite was to be used for the countertops and fireplace as well as in the powder room and all with steel accents.

I would design an extremely contemporary low-sitting sectional and cover it in a sleek white fabric with accents pillows in my client’s favorite blue and as the focal point in the room I saw a large 60” square coffee table in ash veneer analine dyed in the same blue with brushed steel legs and juxtapose these elements with an industrial style cherry wood buffet, glass-top dining table and large armoire. The bedrooms would feature two of my sleek contemporary beds in light maple with the one in the master designed as a corner unit. And finally the upstairs office would house a curved desk also in light maple, an original architectural style sofa and some wild tables and lamps.

By this time the rain had stopped, the sun was trying to peak through those fading black clouds and I was walking on air.