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Chic DIY-inspired loft home in Los Angeles
Today we are bringing you something a little different from our usual posts here on 1 Kindesign. After scouring the internet for interesting and unique finds we fell on this unique Los Angeles home that is chalk full of DIY-inspired design that is so full of life. It is very inspiring and original and we enjoyed it so much that we wanted to share it with you! Here is some background information from the owner himself, Adam Pogue, who also has a fun instagram page entitled mrpoguemahone.
“I moved to Downtown LA three years ago and have never met my landlord. I responded to a craigslist ad that had been posted for a while. He gave me the code to the lock box and I would come here at different times of day, or night, and just hang out. I moved from a duplex in Boyle Heights that was kind of classic LA. It had an original Batchelder tile fireplace and built-ins and pocket doors, which were amazing, but I felt like I needed to respect those details and create space around them. I ended up wanting a space that wasn’t so specific, so I loaded my Scion Xb and headed over the bridge.
The space has gone through several transformations in the last few years. For a time, I had an IKEA bookshelf separating the “bedroom” from the rest of the space. I replaced that with curtain panels that I sewed together and dip-dyed. They’re not a solid separation, but they create an intimate space that feels separate.
I also created the rolling ottoman and benches for the TV and under the windows. The ottoman is upholstered in dyed black canvas and has a washable quilted top (I have two cats). The benches are 10′ x 12′ dark stained Doug fir on plumbing pipe frames. They used to be stacked with books on the lower level and the TV on top, but I wanted a bench, so I separated them. The wall behind the TV is stucco on masonry. I’m not so comfortable with hanging things in masonry, so my boyfriend (at the time) had painted a beautiful chevron pattern, which I recently re-painted.
I got the couch in an “as-is” section of a local shop like 10 years ago for $150. It’s huge and comfortable and I like the shape of it, so when it needed an update (and re-upholstering was too pricey) I ended up patch-working over the original upholstery. It took me a year of random hours with scrap fabric and spare time to cover most of the visible surfaces. I recently started re-covering the re-covering.
I also ended up painting the credenza and replaced the legs with wheels so I can easily roll it away for projects, or gatherings, that require more space. I originally made the hanging above the bed as a knotted fleece rug and the sconces on either side are upside-down plant pots with rope-wrapped wiring.
I found the glass coffee table and my workspace shelving at St. Vincent de Paul’s (amazing thrift store) for $85 altogether. The desk and the bench (between the “bedroom”) I got at a vintage shop, and used The Brick House refinishing method. And the plants! Some I’ve had for years, but most are from clippings. The stacked plants in the living room are attached to a drainpipe from the roof through the apartment
As for the rest, I try to choose things I love. I generally enjoy old, handmade and well-designed pieces. I set aside spaces for things that are sentimental. Kind of shrines in a way.”
Please enjoy the tour and don’t forget to leave us your thoughts about this unique home at the bottom of the post! If you have a home that you just remodeled or that you feel is very unique in design and you would to share with us, please contact us here.
Photos: Old Brand New Blog
4 Comments to “Chic DIY-inspired loft home in Los Angeles”
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This space is by far my favorite out of all the spaces you have shown. Thank you!
Hi Nicki, thanks for the feedback!!
The plants are the best part. It’s hard to find interiors with so many plants. One almost can’t have too many plants indoors. Plants can augment or replace virtually any interior furnishing. You could almost decorate an entire space with plants and nothing else and it would look just as good or better. The great thing is that a given plant will look just as good in funky, thrift-store digs as it does in a high-end, professionally decorated space. And while plants take a little time and knowledge, they don’t cost much money.
I also like a few of the second wood pieces, especially the dark wood. Genuine wood pieces never go out of style, and even when they’re worn, they still have a historic look. And dark wood always goes well with plants, of course.
Some of the ceramic, clay, and glass pieces look good as well. These also can be timeless and can look good with wood and plants. The seashells work, too.
I was surprised that a few of the woven (yarn) pieces worked. You don’t often see those. Anything that fits an old-fashioned, hard-crafted style is going to work well with wood antiques and ceramics and stuff like that.
I didn’t like the paint colors. I know the designer was going to a post-modern look. But post-modern doesn’t fit the furnishings. The golden rule is consistency.
And several of the pieces were just trash, in my opinion, and belonged in the dumpster. But one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Some people probably think that some of my antiques belong in the trash. If the owner likes them, that’s all that’s important.
Overall, great resourcefulness and boldness. Not bad for an amateur.
Everything in this space is amazing! The plants are stunning and there are so many beautiful colors and textures. I especially love the curtain. I’m definitely going to attempt a diy version soon.