LOFT404 (the beginning)

Loft404 was a concept to design and build a live-in showroom at the lowest cost possible, utilizing recycled materials, new material uses, efficient space planning and even a fully functioning workshop! 

It grew and changed into something even more, an experiment in soft marketing and a young professional group emerged from some sociological tinkering. I later began entertaining a growing group of up and comers, friends, associates, competitors and eventually clients after seeing my work. I was and still am so proud of this accomplishment. Soon, there will be another space, with a different address, but it will still have that vivacious, thriving soul and positive, growing energy of LOFT404...

I searched around the city for a space close to downtown, yet big, cheap and raw. After months of looking, I found a building and eager owners who loved the idea of a raw space converted at no cost to them.

When I found loft404, it was 5 small office spaces utilized for a photography studio and business. The windows were blocked off, walls painted dark gray and ceiling painted black. There was only one powder room and we saw it was going to take lots of work, creativity...and love:)

After haggling lease details and options with some tricky landlords, I began the plan and design of the space. While working on this, I began setting crews onto nighttime demolition (as to not disturb nearby businesses). These are images of the space at demolition phase. The next post will show under construction pictures and descriptions.

5H, a "Mini" loft upgrade..

The pictures below are of a space I upgraded for a client in the loft district. The space was basically a huge cube with curvy sloping floors but so much potential. Client purchased space as investment hoping to eventually move to Philadelphia from New York in a few years, but have it rented out until then... Issues: Kitchen was totally non functional after being installed by a shotty carpenter, lighting, wall color and vast space had no sense of zones or gravity...well, other than the sloping floors:) Bathroom was sparse and rough as well as no storage could be found anywhere.

Biggest question potential renters asked, "where's the bedroom?" We in the Loft world often smile and say "wherever you like", but often to someone who truly doesn't know or have that gift of spacial vision, it's a turn off and the space went vacant for over a year, even at a very low price.

I wish I had the photos of the space before the work was done other than these camera phone picks, but please try to use some patient imagination:)

I planned to give a privacy wall for the sleeping area, but wanted to keep the feel of open loft space by keeping the wall low, in this case I used the standard 8ft height.

I like the sliding/rolling doors because they take up no floorspace when they open and close, making hallways and entry areas have less of a flow obstruction when using them. In keeping with the "factory" feel, I proposed to make the bedroom door a rolling old timber style door. I couldn't find anything from my sources for this type of hardware and doors other than 1 ton steel 6ft wide doors...so I made one from scratch and even made the track and wheels..everything. The wood was salvaged from another old factory building that was being demolished and the steel is all raw, hot rolled new stock steel. Wheels were cut from a shopping cart:)

Kitchen was then removed, walls reinforced and re-installed. Lighting was changed to dimming track lights and some walls were painted different soft earth tones to help designate zones of use.

3 days after completing this project the place rented, it was the first person to see the place after renovation, the leasing agents said it was immediate:)

The client is still happy to this day and is planning to move next year to her "new" loft. We have plans for higher end improvements, upgrades and possibly a lounge area above the kitchen/bath:)

Loft Design

Starting from the top and working the way down are images from a loft upgrade I performed for a client in the Loft District area of Philadelphia...just above Chinatown. This was a 3 phase project, here are some early images of the loft (top) followed by finished images (bottom)...enjoy. Oh, and have your people call my people:)

A new restaurant I've done... Azul

Azul Restaurant:   We planned, designed and hand built everything from the lights, to banquettes, to the huge solid steel bottle displays...even bathrooms, tables, counters and even found a great new designer/apprentice Ashley to make my little candle holders...ok so I like to get my hands dirty and micro manage a little;)

I designed Azul as a blend of modern styling mixed with old world touches that would be a great spot for sneakers to stilettos, Levi's to Armani. I wanted my client to take his concept of nuevo latin foods and tequila bar to a slightly higher finish...not just another dirty corner bar overcharging for food and drink, I wanted people to really feel like they were getting much more for their money and push that positive feeling to my client's bottom line.

How can he thrive in this Washington Square meets Artsy Midtown community and yet sit almost literally on the doorsteps of Jefferson Hospital? Research, get to know your market. It takes more than just designing a swanky spot with high end finishes, it was more researching who his market is going to be, who lives there? Who works in the area? Who walks by on the way home from all parts of town? Where else do these people enjoy spending time and money around town? How do I convey/sell my client's product in this market?

The answer is complex, but not so hard to understand. Doctors, nurses, artists, students, bike riders, lawyers, some with income that is almost non existent all the way up to 7 figure incomes. It doesn't matter who you ask, if you ask this question, "Do you like to get more for your money?", the answer will always be yes. I designed Azul to do exactly that, give more for what you are actually paying for and so far, it's worked!

Azul has been one of the hottest spots in town to grab an amazing drink, quick bite, decadent meal, people watch or be seen, meet friends, take a date or have a corporate get together. The place has been so busy, that the owner still thanks me with this surprised smile telling me he can't believe how well the place is doing. That is worth more than any amount of money to me, a client who remains happy...patrons who just keep coming back and complimenting me often on the experience they've had there.

Have you been to Azul? What are you waiting for? When it comes to advertising my works, a picture is worth a picture, but a visit is worth...

Here's a link to some up and coming events, go check them out!

http://azulcantina.cmail1.com/e/459733/w4yi1jyy/

As always, this and all of my projects, designs, interiors, products and furniture can soon be found at http://www.coldrendesign.com/ The site is under construction, but will soon be up and running!

Monday, a grey day in Philadelphia...but there's always some sunshine here...

But wait, look what I found, something green, something full of flavor...a little political from time to time, but lets try to look at the substance and not the opinion here...today's website pick...

http://www.treehugger.com/

I found this article today and want you to know, if you have the investor, I want to build something like this!! ...ahem, only I would like to make it more green than I suspect Hilton will;)

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/eco-friendly-hilton-hotel-argentina-patagonia.php

Now, many know I am FAR from a granola crunching, dirty haired hippy who swears rubbing crystals under my arms really kills the funk, but this site is very cool and has links to tons of new ideas and concepts that just might give us a few more trees to...hug...metaphorically of course;)

Ok next post, a concept I have to keep some waste out of landfills... and as Palin would say, A darn fun way to do it! Stay tuned!

As always, this and all of my projects, designs, interiors, products and furniture can soon be found at http://www.coldrendesign.com/ The site is under construction, but will soon be up and running!

Humble Beginnings

Today I launch my first blog...

Stay tuned for updates on lifestyle, my designs, other people's design, cooking, engineering, fashion, environmental ideas, out on the town tips, reviews, travel, new stuff I find online...and lots of pics!

First tip...Can't go wrong with Coppola wines;) Yes that's me in a kitchen I designed for LOFT404.

Stay tuned, this and all of my projects, designs, interiors, products and furniture can soon be found at http://www.coldrendesign.com/ The site is under construction, but will soon be up and running!