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Open Space
hausScape Facilitates the Urban Vibe
Story by Aaron Glickman | Photos by John Anderson
Lofts are cool, especially when
they’re big industrial spaces in up-and-coming urban neighborhoods.
From a design point-of-view, though, they can be difficult. The
challenge of finding creative ways of taking an open, concrete space
with 15-foot high ceilings and infusing it with life requires creative
thinking.
In the case of Tess Prins and Carol-Ann Ross’ downtown Miami loft, the
challenge of filling the area is particularly difficult. The loft
is actually three units converted into one with the purpose of
facilitating a live-work environment.
“We live here and also promote events here through our company, Swag
Events,” said Prins. “We host everything from catered gatherings and
sit-down dinners to cocktail parties and art presentations.”
The fresh
and funky design approach executed by Prins and Ross, as well as David
Schumer from hausScape,
breathes life into the coldness of concrete. Their tasteful use of
original art, vintage and designer furniture, and chic chandeliers blend
with the exposed piping and duct work to create a cultured environment,
the likes of which are becoming more common in South Florida.
The Floorplan
The loft’s main focus is the living and dining areas, which coexist in the largest
open space. The dining area is defined by its unapologetic use of color.
A long, wooden table is surrounded by an artful array of Alikudi chairs.
These
unique seats have printed designs, like flowers with water droplets,
overgrown grass, cacti, abstract images, bar codes and other distinctive
prints. Above the table hangs a Tian Xia by
Artemide
chandelier that continuously
morphs into a changing hue of color
–
from garnet to green to powder blue to navy.
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At the opposite end of the room, approximately 5 feet from
the back wall, two drywall partitions extend from the
outside walls toward the room’s centerline. Roughly 5 feet
of space remains from the top of the drywall to the ceiling.
Curtains by Miami designer Lynn Sampson extend from the
partitions to the back wall on curved rods and hip,
semi-private sitting areas are the result.
A hallway is created between the two sitting areas and
features a multi-use, black leather adjustable back sofa. The
living room lives between the sitting areas and dining room.
A sleek and clean COR sofa composition called ARTHE from
Germany is the focal point of this area.
“The contemporary design is
architectural in nature,” said Schumer. “It’s higher off the ground than
so many contemporary designs. I like to think of it as New York
cosmopolitan and actually floating in its space.”
Further defining the area is a multi-colored cashmere area rug from Leolux and a striking chandelier by Brand van Egmond called Ice Lady and
made from polished nickel and SWAROVSKI crystal from COR is
positioned underneath the chandelier on the center of the rug.“
The table’s design is by Peter Maly,” said Schumer. “It has a chrome
frame. The top layer is lacquered, opt-white glass and the lower layer
is a canvas weave.”
Randomly placed throughout the living area are several large, black and white
leather sit balls
bold"
–
called
Adam’s Temptation by Leolux from the Netherlands
–
that conform to the body’s shape and woven metal Woodstock Cubes from
Brand van Egmond that double as stools and end tables. Behind the
couch, hung on one of the partitions, is an original piece of art
multitudes of people walking in “s” formation and surrounded by white
space. “It’s from a British artist,” said Prins, “and we bought it in
New York. For me, it depicts the serenity of rush hour in Manhattan.”
All of the art on display has personal significance to Prins and Ross, no decorator
pieces here. A 6-foot high metal sculpture of a nude rests against one
wall, while an oil collage that Prins refers to as a “boxed story” hangs
on the partition adjacent to the living area. “It’s like a cartoon with
a severe subject matter,” she explained. Another piece is made of five,
7-foot-high painted boards that were originally separated and later
attached to create a screen. “We repurposed the art,” Prins said.
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The living
and dining areas comprise about two-thirds of the loft. The additional
one-third is separated and consists of the bedroom, kitchen and small
living area. Again, privacy is not in the design plan, as the bedroom is
created by a drywall partition similar to those used for the sitting
areas. As with Prins and Ross’ choice in art, their vintage yellow bed
is personal in nature. “We shipped it here from France,” said Prins. “It
was originally made for a Parisian townhouse and designed to match the
yellow wallpaper.”
The kitchen created using
the resource from the original three units hence two refrigerators and
two rows of cabinetry is tied down by a Philippe Starck table, and yet a third fascinating
chandelier.
“The fixture’s from Bellato and its design looks like origami,” said Schumer. “It’s available in white
bronze and aluminum, and can be either a single piece through to a
quadruple piece. This one is obviously a quadruple.”
The overall design of this urban living space is imaginative and hip. The use of
hausScape as a primary furniture source sets the stage for an inspired
atmosphere befitting those with elevated ideas an ideal scenario in
Miami’s growing urban culture.
hausScape, 3930 NE 2nd
Ave. #203, 305.573.0169
www.hausScape.com
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