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Article #305: Why Own a Loft?

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From Montreal to Minneapolis, lofts are a candle warmed up the stone, which could
the hottest thing in city housing right then be placed at ones feet under a desk,
now. What makes them so great? Well, for or on a low shelf near a chair. I think
starters, not everyone thinks there this is a classy way to add extra warmth
great. There are definitely pros and cons where you need it. Also, as I mentioned,
to loft living, and you should be aware having area rugs keeps your feet from
of this to decide what type of home is getting cold in a home that typically has
right for you. wood or cement flooring.
One of the things people love about lofts One more way to keep the cold from bother
is the open space. The large windows you is to look for a loft with a
offer amazing views and soul-fulfilling mezzanine, a sort of loft within a loft.
natural light. You could never get Usually, a mezzanine is a way of having a
claustrophobic in a loft, as the ceilings private bedroom in a loft, offering a
are high and the space is open. You can second floor to your open space. Because
work in one part of the house and not it is higher up and therefore closer to
feel cut off from any of the other areas. the ceiling, heat won't be lost as easily
Also, they have an artsy feel to them. as it will on the lower floor. If you
The walls can easily fit huge paintings. live in a really cold city, perhaps your
The large space begs you have an art mezzanine could be your living room and
studio in one corner, or maybe a small bedroom in the winter months. Convenient,
dance floor. They are great for parties maybe not, but there's lots of reasons a
as none of that cliquing away in another loft is worth it, if you value them.
room can happen. You can see and enjoy One loft resident says he still feels
all your guests at once, and the music in great after a whole day spent inside,
one corner reaches the entire party. because he's got the high ceiling and
However that open space can have its floor to ceiling windows to help get that
drawbacks, especially if you like outside feel. Another bonus is the
privacy. While room dividers create passive solar heating created by the
affective visual privacy, sound can large windows. Look for a loft facing
travel easily in such open spaces. If you south to maximize this. Warning, you'll
have children, or often have house need blinds for the summer months, but in
guests, you might want to look for a loft winter the sun's warmth will be lovely.
with a separate bedroom. Some people have And all the sun's light means you're
chosen to hang things from their ceilings turning electric lights on less. That
to create baffling, a way to disperse could well make up for any extra heating
sound and prevent it from echoing across costs.
the house. Rugs on the floors have a Also, consider this: getting a projector
similar sound-calming affect, and can and watching your favorite movies on the
also help to add warmth, which brings me ultimate big screen, your huge white
to another downfall of the loft concept. wall.
In colder climates, the open space can be The opportunities for doing custom
a bit hard to keep warm. Because heat interior decorating abound in a loft,
rises and the ceilings are so high, this because they are usually sold with very
can be a challenge for loft-dwellers. little finishing detail. So you have the
space heaters help, directing heat chance to finish the place just how you
exactly where you want it, instead of want it, or leaving it raw to appreciate
baseboard heaters where the heat just the true lofty-ness about it. Either way,
goes up the wall. I recently saw an if loft living is something you think
innovative and arty way to keep warm if you'd enjoy, there are a lot to choose
the form of stone sculptures that fit a from in any city in the world.
small tea-light candle within them. The






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