A Lofty Apartment

I came across this apartment designed by Oliver Furth and fell in love!  This 1,300 square foot LA apartment that is used as a pied-à-terre by the owners really packs a punch!  Maybe it's the color scheme, maybe it's the selection of beautifully curated furniture, maybe it's the flex space Oliver created, what ever it is, it is loft luxe living at its finest!

Oliver considers his designs modern, but he doesn't consider himself a modernist.  With a background in art history, he marries decorative arts and interior design with aplomb!  The hand painted silk wallpaper sets the tone, but also sets forth the tension that is created within the apartment.

Oliver began by opening the whole apartment up; taking it down to the studs and building it back up better.  When the ceiling came down 2 feet of height was gained.  The exposed duct work and the concrete shell became features that were highlighted.  When the walls came down, ingenious "doors" separated the space as needed.  Walnut pocket doors could close off the kitchen.  A resin wall with siding doors allowed the bedroom to be closed off but still allow light in.  A Utah based company developed the technology to create and hang the resin panels because they can be made longer and need less support than glass; of course they had to be hoisted up the side of the building and brought in thru the sliding terrace doors.  Where there's a will, there's a way!  Everything was carefully considered.  Bespoke door and cabinetry hardware were created.  A monogram logo was designed incorporating the apartment number, then used on everything from sheets and towels to stationary.  That's taking it to another level!

The owner's rug was the jumping off point for the color scheme that  transformed the apartment into a jewel box of cool, muted jewel tones.  The art is rotated from the client's collection.  The bamboo floors were stained an unexpected peacock blue while the luxe fabrics and exquisite materials provide a richness throughout.

Period pieces such as the 1940's French sideboard rests below 1960's Italian sconces while a pair of Paul Evan's chairs from the 70's in custom colored silk co exist with custom furniture like the shagreen waterfall cocktail table and sofa to tell a story of the refined, layered, luxuriousness of the materials juxtaposed against the rawness of the view above.

The dining room table expands to seat 12 when necessary.  Book matched walnut cabinetry conceals appliances and such in the kitchen.  Spanish green striated marble and a mother of pearl backsplash  embue the kitchen with the same warmth and elegance.

The apartment's richness and gorgeous variety of materials extend to the bedroom as well.  A custom upholstered bed in linen velvet quietly exudes grace and comfort.  Clever storage niches were created with custom cabinetry, made more decorative on one side with the addition of a hand painted and  gauffraged leather screen.

I could move right in.  There is nothing I would change.  I aspire to own a pied-à-terre of my own one day.  Add it to the list of places I could be happy in!








photos: Laurie Jolliet via WSJ, Tim Street Porter and John Ellis via Interiors magazine