Dwell Labs: A Tour of 4 Loft Style Apartments at Met Lofts, Los Angeles

ASID/Dwell Labs – Met Lofts, Los Angeles

Held in conjunction with Dwell on Design, the country’s largest modern design show, Dwell Labs brings together Dwell Media LLC, Klein Financial, and ASID Los Angeles (American Society of Interior Designers) to partner and showcase modern city living.  For the project at Met Lofts, four ASID interior designers were chosen from a group of hundreds of distinguished ASID member Los Angeles interior designers to design and stage the four model units.  In doing so, they had to take into account the profession and lifestyle of each fictitious occupant.
Met Lofts is an apartment complex located in the entertainment district of Los Angeles, within close proximity to the Staples Center, LA Live, the Los Angeles Convention Center, the Metro, and major freeway arteries leading to all key points in the Los Angeles area.

MET LOFTS -The Entrance

Met Lofts front entrance and lobby
The front entrance and lobby of Met Lofts

Suite 205: Designer Lauri Howell, ASID

Studio/1 Bath, 687 sq. ft.

The studio/1 bath residence, facing the inner courtyard, was designed for a 20s something up and coming mixologist who works in a trendy Los Angeles bar.  He works late nights, parties until the wee hours, sleeps into the afternoon, and in his spare hours, writes music while strumming along on his vintage Martin guitar.  I know – sounds like quite the life, doesn’t it?

Howell paid special attention to maximize space without sacrificing style.  Many space saving solutions were implemented to make the most of the space. The bed is elevated to accommodate a dresser and built in book shelves on either side down below.  Adjacent to the bed is a small study area, complete with desk and an über stylish Moroccan lamp hanging from above.

Dwell Labs Met Lofts Unit 205
Dwell Labs Met Lofts Unit 205 Lauri Howell

Howell pays attention to all the little details, utilizing various sized salt shakers as chess pieces in the living room, to utilizing the mirror underneath the small coffee table as an integral part of her coffee table vignette.

In the kitchen, she paints the wall between the counters and the cupboards above a deep, saturated teal (which is also seen thorough the apartment) and offsets the color with custom constructed wood squares that can be used as both display or to house small items such as spices or wine glasses, as shown below.

Dwell Labs Met Lofts designed by Lauri Howell
The pop up counter extends the length of the kitchen island when needed, allowing a kitchen work space on one end, and an impromptu eating area on the other.  The perfect way to stow away the extra counter space when not needed and conserve space in the apartment.

Suite 207: Deborah Davis, ASID

2 bedroom/2 bath 1164 sq. ft.

This 2 bedroom/2 bath unit, also facing the inner courtyard, was designed for a mid-30s couple with a love for contemporary and eco-friendly design.  The husband is a financial consultant and the wife is an aspiring portrait photographer, so it was necessary that there be enough wall space to showcase her work.

Davis opted to keep the bare concrete exposed in many of the areas.  In the kitchen and living room, the concrete is exposed on the ceiling, but to define the dining space, a drop ceiling constructed with planks of wood was put into place which pulls in the open expanse above and creates a warm, more intimate space.

Met Lofts Los Angeles Deborah Davis

Met Lofts Los Angeles Deborah Davis 2
Met Lofts Los Angeles Deborah Davis 3
A gallery wall filled with photographs with frames of different sizes and styles grace the wall of the living room.
Los Angeles Met Lofts Deborah Davis
I was surprised that the two bathrooms, although two totally different layouts, had almost identical looks, using the same basin and console, and similar mirrors in each.

Suite 414: Rachel Winokur, Allied ASID
Studio/1 bath, 828 sq. ft.

The studio apartment designed by Winokur was for a FIDM fashion student, who only two years earlier was a Peace Corps volunteer, working in Mali and involved with textile design and manufacturing.  Mummy and Daddy are funding her education AND this swanky apartment!  25 years ago I was in the same situation – a fashion design student at Parsons in New York City, but I must say that my university dorm living arrangements were not at ALL this lavish!!

Keeping her client in mind, Winokur made a conscious effort to use fair trade and eco-friendly products in her design.  The living area and bathroom floors are made of reclaimed teak from Indonesia, the mattress is made of coconut waste and natural latex, and two of the three rugs in the apartment are made  using recycled sari silk. And these are only a few of the eco-friendly tidbits I have to share – there are many more.  Now that’s what I call responsible design!
Met Lofts Rachel Winokur

Above, the designer Rachel Winokur, explains her approach to eco-friendly design using fair trade products and materials.

Met Lofts Rachel Winokur 2
The color on the rugs were so vibrant and added a perfect “splash” of color to the room – it’s hard to believe that they were once saris.  The Marrakech floor lamp by Zia Priven on the left, gives a little hint of the exotic to the room.
Met Lofts Rachel Winokur 3
Photos courtesy of Rachel Winokur
Met Lofts Rachel Winokur 4

The pictures above are a glimpse into my world not too long ago, where many hours were spent sketching croqui after croqui (see, I have the terminology down, too!)  and studying the latest trends and silhouettes to make their way down the runway.

Met Lofts Rachel Winokur 5
Met Lofts Rachel Winokur 6

I loved the little details such as the glamorous lighting in the entry and the subliminal messages woven into the bed linens.  A recipe for a perfect night’s sleep.

Suite 423: Frank Slesinski, Allied ASID

1 bedroom/1 bath, 851 sq. ft.

This one bedroom residence faces the Los Angeles financial district and is designed for a mid-30s bachelor, a native New Yorker who makes a living as a a freelance sports writer (which is why I didn’t understand why there was a Boston Red Sox jersey hanging on the wall?!?)

This apartment was designed for my husband in his former bachelor life.  The ultimate sports junkie, baseball, hockey, and basketball can be watched simultaneously on four different TV screens .  There is  also plenty of space to display his sports memorabilia collection (minus the Red Sox jersey, because my husband is also a native New Yorker)

Exposed concrete, copper piping, and ductwork let off a masculine, more industrial feel, but the bright and colorful tropical orchids and bromeliads placed throughout softened up the room and added a touch of color. I especially love how the églomisé like finish on the mirrored wall in the kitchen does double duty  by mimicking the look of the bare concrete ceiling and also making the area seem larger with its reflective qualities.

Met Lofts Los Angeles Frank Slesinski
Met Lofts Los Angeles Frank Slesinski 2
Met Lofts Los Angeles Frank Slesinski 3
Met Lofts Los Angeles Frank Slesinski 4
Met Lofts Los Angeles Frank Slesinski 5

The Outdoor Courtyard Spaces at Met Lofts

 

Met Lofts Los Angeles courtyard

What I loved most about the outdoor space was the open air gym that faces the lounge area across the walkway.  This reminded me of a past vacation in a luxury property in Bali. Exposed concrete, teak wood floors, and volcanic stone – gyms don’t get any more fashionable and hip than this.  What a wonderful way to do yoga in the fresh, cool morning air!

Met Lofts Los Angeles gym

I hope you enjoyed my tour of Met Lofts.  The model units are open to the public until July 10 and can be seen between the hours of 9am-6 pm, so stop by if you have a chance.  Met Lofts is located at 1050 South Flower, Los Angeles 90015. Rent ranges in price from $1650-$3900/month.

A shout out to the wonderful folks at Dwell Media, ASID Los Angeles, Klein Financial, all the talented designers, and to Rhonda Huber and Allan DallaTorre for organizing the event and making it a huge success!

Stay tuned for my post on DWELL LABS: 1600 VINE – 4 apartment units situated at the iconic corner of Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood.

Unless specified otherwise, all photography is by me, Jeanne Chung.  Feel free to use, but be nice and give credit/link back!
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