This industrial loft belongs to a co-owner of VM Central & Olive Studio Rupert Smith. Its design is a sum of the owner’s golden rules in creating a visual narrative.
First of all, he started with a black and white frame and then built and layered from there. Rupert started with a monochromatic canvas and layers textures, decor and design features from different time periods.
The second design rule that the owner swears by is maximizing available light. The loft’s airy double volume with large glass windows meant already an abundance of natural light, accentuated further with use of glass vessels, reflective surfaces and glossy finishes. It’s especially important because the shades of décor are rather dark, so light is necessary to keep its look not so moody.
Rupert loves industrial elements, so he included lots of them making industrial theme a part of this loft. He didn’t want a soulless, run-of-the-mill modern, cold space, and a proliferation of greenery means the industrial space is anything but sterile, whilst the taxidermy birds and skulls hint at Rupert’s ‘Touch of Gothic’ style. Rupert also added a lot of greenery to the loft, so he didn’t miss a garden at all.
The furniture you can see in this loft is a mix of modern and shabby chic chosen by the owner himself. Antique tables and vintage chests of drawers neighbor with modern leather chairs and black manyly stools. And with such an eye for detail, Rupert has ever-changing vignettes and displays.
The loft has a strong character and personality, this is definitely a home of a creative person. This loft reminds to me of a Victorian or steampunk space done in calm shades, with lots of unique details: the longer you look at them, the more details you see.