I'll Take Manhattan

...and Italian summers too. A New York City loft remains true to its industrial roots while undergoing an upgrade inspired by the warm light and soft textures of the Med

- MARTIN JACOBS

When New York interior designer Tina Rich met a prospective client in their newly purchased Soho loft, she immediately knew design changes were necessary. The loft had great natural light, but its uplifting effects were lost in the dark and dated interior, which hadn’t been renovated since the 1990s. Unquestionably in need of an overhaul were the dark floors throughout and the black lacquer and cherry wood kitchen. The red brick wall running the length of the loft’s living space was a welcome feature, but its uninterrupted expanse felt relentless and overly industrial, and she feared it might be something the client soon tired of. “This was something I felt really strongly about from the beginning, and it took some major convincing to get the client on board,” recalls Tina. Trusting in her vision of an airier, relaxed and more neutral interior, the client agreed to a number of changes and Tina set about implementing clever tricks of the trade to deliver on her promise.

One of the first major changes she made was to lift the existing flooring and replace it with blonde oak hardwood. The lightness and warmth it brought to the loft was instantly noticeable, and it set the tone for some of the Scandi-inspired furniture she foresaw including in the space. A similar toned wood was used for kitchen cabinetry (most of it with finger grips rather than visible handles), and this was paired with a light, grey-veined marble.