Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Sophisticated Loft Living in Pittsburgh
Color, curated midcentury furnishings and a playful personality shine in a design-minded homeowner's city loft
Daniel Shapiro's Pittsburgh loft checked off everything on his wish list: a large, open space with high ceilings, ample natural light and amazing views. The challenge of defining each living area in the open space, however, became apparent right away. “It was very important to me to make sure that the bedroom was separate from the rest of the loft," says Shapiro, merchandise manager for American Eagle Outfitters. Armed with a honed sense of style and a diverse collection of artwork gathered from his travels, he enlisted the help of interior designer Karen Anderson of KEA Design. "It took about a year to get the space where I wanted it to be," he says. The result is an effortlessly chic home balancing the building's industrial style with a modern sensibility.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Daniel Shapiro
Location: Pittsburgh
Size: About 1,000 square feet
That's interesting: Converted for loft living in the '80s, the building has been a chocolate factory, department store and paper storage facility.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Daniel Shapiro
Location: Pittsburgh
Size: About 1,000 square feet
That's interesting: Converted for loft living in the '80s, the building has been a chocolate factory, department store and paper storage facility.
Midcentury classics mix in the dining area, while a Beni Ourain rug purchased on a trip to Morocco reflects Shapiro’s eclectic style.
A terrarium in an oversize carafe-style vase mirrors the modern profile of the Eames dining chairs.
A terrarium in an oversize carafe-style vase mirrors the modern profile of the Eames dining chairs.
Gallery-white walls contrast with exposed brick and accentuate the high ceilings. A kitschy painted portrait of Diana the Huntress, complete with a '60s hairdo, overlooks the dining area with an air of formality and a dash of humor.
Shapiro drew inspiration from a visit to nearby Fallingwater, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famed commissions. Shapiro mostly responded to the way Wright created open floor plans.
Shapiro drew inspiration from a visit to nearby Fallingwater, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famed commissions. Shapiro mostly responded to the way Wright created open floor plans.
A George Nelson Bubble Light punctuates the dining area. A bench keeps the mood casual and the seating flexible.
Chairs: Eames, Modernica; table, bench: Gus Modern, Weisshouse
Chairs: Eames, Modernica; table, bench: Gus Modern, Weisshouse
Shapiro's office, tucked along the perimeter of the loft’s only hall, takes advantage of a great view of Pittsburgh. Part work space, part thoroughfare and part gallery, this multifunctional space is ideal for creative thinking.
“I can sit at my desk and look at the rest of my loft," Shapiro says. "The expansive view is in front of me, behind me is my photography collection, and to my right is my patio.”
Desk: Airia Desk, Herman Miller
“I can sit at my desk and look at the rest of my loft," Shapiro says. "The expansive view is in front of me, behind me is my photography collection, and to my right is my patio.”
Desk: Airia Desk, Herman Miller
“My idea of gardening is having someone else do it," jokes Shapiro. He hired Pittsburgh event planner and botanical decorator Thommy Conroy to create a seasonal potted garden that stretches around the brick perimeter. Shapiro says, “Thommy transformed it into an urban oasis.”
Built over the existing concrete slab, the terrace flooring was a DIY project. The parquet pattern is made up of acacia tiles from Ikea.
Built over the existing concrete slab, the terrace flooring was a DIY project. The parquet pattern is made up of acacia tiles from Ikea.
Here's Shapiro's view from his office. A plush sectional by Gus Modern defines the seating area. The green lamp is an antiques store find; a local collector found the vintage Danish side table.
The photo banner on the far wall is a lamppost sign advertising a Robert Bechtle exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. It is a cropped reproduction of Bechtle's oil painting "'61 Pontiac," from Room & Board.
The photo banner on the far wall is a lamppost sign advertising a Robert Bechtle exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. It is a cropped reproduction of Bechtle's oil painting "'61 Pontiac," from Room & Board.
“I wanted to make [the loft] feel modern but warm at the same time," says Shapiro.
Pillows: Judy Ross Textiles, Room & Board
Pillows: Judy Ross Textiles, Room & Board
With a collection ranging from midcentury American and Danish furnishings to Asian and African accessories, Shapiro's taste is as diverse as his passport.
The coffee table at the center of the room is particularly important to Shapiro. "It has sentimental meaning for me, as I was with my dad when he purchased it for the living room in my childhood home,” he says. Just recently Shapiro learned that the table was created by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, a 1960s father-and-son design team known for tables with chinoiserie influences.
The coffee table at the center of the room is particularly important to Shapiro. "It has sentimental meaning for me, as I was with my dad when he purchased it for the living room in my childhood home,” he says. Just recently Shapiro learned that the table was created by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, a 1960s father-and-son design team known for tables with chinoiserie influences.
A steamer trunk passed down from Shapiro's great-grandfather displays art. Shapiro picked up the embroidered elephant artwork on a trip to Vietnam.
Two Ikea Expedit shelves separate the sleeping area from the rest of the loft.
The tufted upholstered headboard mirrors the sectional sofa. The custom pillows are made with vintage Vietnamese natural indigo.
Bed: Tate, Crate & Barrel; side table: custom, Modernica
The tufted upholstered headboard mirrors the sectional sofa. The custom pillows are made with vintage Vietnamese natural indigo.
Bed: Tate, Crate & Barrel; side table: custom, Modernica
Unobstructed panoramic views continue into the bedroom.
Shapiro is always eager to add to his art collection. “I love Gerhard Richter; I would get an Ed Ruscha painting and maybe even an Edward Hopper." Adding shades to the windows is next on his to-do list. “It’s a bit bright in the morning!” he says, laughing.
Dresser: Grove, Room & Board
Shapiro is always eager to add to his art collection. “I love Gerhard Richter; I would get an Ed Ruscha painting and maybe even an Edward Hopper." Adding shades to the windows is next on his to-do list. “It’s a bit bright in the morning!” he says, laughing.
Dresser: Grove, Room & Board
Warm lighting and colors contrast with white walls in the bathroom. A large sink basin expands the feel of the space as well as the functionality, while a wide mirrored medicine cabinet reflects light from other areas of the loft.
The San Francisco print by Ork Posters is a reminder of Shapiro’s previous hometown.
Sink: Tälleviken, Ikea
The San Francisco print by Ork Posters is a reminder of Shapiro’s previous hometown.
Sink: Tälleviken, Ikea
Wooden cabinets add warmth to the clean lines of the kitchen, and a stainless worktable reflects natural light from the loft's bank of windows. Frosted pendant lighting is a sweet interpretation of factory lighting — a nod to the building’s past.
Worktable: Ikea
Worktable: Ikea
A playful collection of Vietnamese Tet masks, a Jonathan Adler giraffe and a 1920s art deco tea set and antique buffet create a strong focal point in the kitchen.
Shapiro relaxes in the kitchen with designer Karen Anderson. “Karen understood my needs perfectly," Shapiro says. “She understood how I liked to work. She gave me a few suggestions, and then I would go out and look for individual pieces. I listened to her on almost everything.”
Houzz call: Do you live in a creative loft? Share it with us!
Houzz call: Do you live in a creative loft? Share it with us!
Bar stools: Vintage Toledo Bar Chair, Restoration Hardware