Q. I recently purchased a loft in Chicago’s West Loop area. I plan to use the loft as my home and office but want it to be comfortable and functional. I am having trouble figuring out if I should separate the office and home in specific areas. A loft bedroom overlooks the main living space. On the far wall of the main floor, along the floor-to-ceiling windows, is a platform area. Any recommendations?
A. The most important thing to remember is: “A place for everything. Everything in its place,” says Jorge Romero, a Chicago interior designer. The office space must be defined in a way that is apparent. Don’t allow office clutter to spill into the living area. There is nothing wrong with seeing your space from the office.
Locate the office space by the windows up on that raised area of the loft. Think of the living space as a reception waiting area, only more comfortable. Dual functionality is the key.
Computer equipment should be as sleek as possible. Black is always preferable. Black recedes. Flat-screen monitors are less intrusive. Wire management is critical. A lot of great design has been developed to make the office a thing of visual beauty. Check out the offerings at top-notch companies such as Knoll International (212-343-4000), Herman Miller (888-443-4357) and many of the European companies at Luminaire, 301 W. Superior St., 312-664-9582.
Storage is critical. Sleek file cabinets are always a good idea. Vertical tower cabinets with doors to keep things organized but out of sight are popular.
Color in the right places can warm up a room. Start out with a neutral palette and add color where it becomes a punch. An area rug that defines the office area in a lush or cheery color can change the mood of the office environment.
The fact that the bedroom is a loft that overlooks the living space is OK. Don’t try to hide it. Just make the view pleasant. You may want to consider a floor-to-ceiling sheer fabric treatment or even beaded chain as a scrim to soften the view.
Keep the elements as crisp and minimal as possible. You may soften the effect with simple floor-to-ceiling draperies to accentuate the ceiling height. Keep a single theme throughout. The color also must flow. The palettes must modulate as they develop from space to space.
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