Realism Is Not His Deal

Joseph Giovannini turned this Los Angeles loft into an op-art womb. His tenant loves it.

- By Wendy Goodman

Joseph Giovannini has created what he calls impossible space using the techniques of forced perspective to create optical illusions, or space painting, in this L.A. loft. The art piece Incident on the left wall is by Jeff Colson and belongs to tenant Alison Miller.

I WAS PROBABLY conceived in the building, says the architect, critic, and author Joseph Giovannini of this circa-1890 three-story Los Angeles commercial structure his family has owned since the 1930s, when Lincoln Heights was predominantly an Italian neighborhood. It was also one of the first buildings to show movies to the public, he adds. At other times, it's been used as a radio station run by a movie personality named Leo Carrillo and a wedding banquet hall.

The Main Room

Cloud Series I & II, hanging above the chaise, are owned by Miller. The soft-furniture pieces are also hers, and the geometric pieces were designed by Giovannini.

The Giovannini's moved out in 1949, when I was a toddler, to Arcadia, he says. In the 1970s, his brother wanted to open a discotheque in it, but the plan didn't work out. It's basically a Soho loft building in Los Angeles.

The Bedroom

A camouflaged staircase leads to the sleeping area.