The living room features exposed brick, mismatched chairs and space for art and books.

August 19, 2022

Words: Carlene Olsen

Photography: Ema Peter

This Industrial Loft Apartment in Vancouver is a Music Lover’s Dream

For a DJ drawn to complex, geometric patterns, the designers tasked with renovating his industrial loft in Vancouver, Canada knew they’d have to deliver the unexpected. “The client’s eclectic tastes and collections as well as his varied interest in music from acoustic to electronic were the foundation of the concept,” said Kelly Reynolds, principal of local firm Falken Reynolds. “We knew the space needed to provide both an expansive openness of a warehouse loft and a lot of visual stimulation,” adds principal Chad Falkenberg.

Set within a 1909 former supply warehouse made of sand-blasted brick and old-growth timber, the space first welcomed live-work tenants in 2004. That initial renovation, by Alda Pereira Design, provided the framework for the next. The kitchen’s steel-framed millwork, for example, is part of the 2004 design conversion and now features new shelving and tile to enhance functionality and add visual texture. Same with the open concept ensuite bath and shower, which was rebuilt and finished with tile in a bold black and white pattern.

The kitchen area of the industrial loft features details from the 2004 renovation.
In the kitchen, a steelwood bistro table from Magis with Bensen Stax chairs and a Vine 3 pendant from Vancouver lighting brand AndLight provide a casual space for meals.

“Hella Jongerius’ Diarama tiles from Mutina were a natural choice with the digital reference, but one that has a lot of subtle variation—there are 14 unique tiles that make up the pattern,” shares Reynolds. In the powder room, which features a deep green wallpaper from Jupiter 10, the team kept the original sink intact, designed by Marc Newson, offering a contrast to the darker walls.

Despite these modern updates, the industrial roots of the loft are apparent throughout, such as the original Douglas Fir ceiling and beams. To offset the wood tones from above, the designers selected a series of area rugs in warmer hues to create a sense of balance. Vibrant artwork and striking lighting fixtures round out the aesthetic. Not to mention a DJ station.

A custom dresser sits below a black hanging bar for the homeowner's clothes in the bedroom.
A custom walnut chest of drawers includes a splash of blue in the finger pull referencing the blue in Jan Kath’s Spacecraft 11 rug. A clothing rod hangs from the old growth fir ceiling, contrasting with brass hangers from Bocci / OAO Works.
The main bedroom features an ornate wall detail.
For privacy, a wall separates the bedroom from the rest of the open loft and provides shelving and closet space.
A vibrant green and black wallcovering features geometric prints for a hypnotic effect in the bathroom.
Modernist III Collection Salzburg Wallcovering, Jupiter 10.
More geometric wallcoverings encircle the toilet, like this one is peach with repeating white lines.
Modernist III Collection Buenos Aires Wallcovering, Jupiter 10.
A black and white checkerboard wallcovering lines the shower wall and is also seen in the bath tiles.
Diarama Series Dusk Tile, Mutina.
The living room features exposed brick, mismatched chairs and space for art and books.
The living room is grounded by a Jan Kath Artwork 19 rug in warm pinks and oranges while extra seating from the nearby dining area and reading nooks enable the homeowner to host larger gatherings and film screenings.
The hallway features exposed pipes, signaling the building's industrial roots.
The graffiti-inspired painting in the entry was left from the previous owner because it was too large to remove, setting the color palette for the rest of the home.
A translucent lighting detail illuminates a seating area in the living room.
The copper 28.19 waterfall pendant light by Bocci illuminates the brick walls, adding warmth to the living room and echoes the pattern and texture from the bathrooms.

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