DOWN TO EARTH

The relaxed aesthetic of this minimalist meets-maximal comfort loft apartment illustrates the beauty of a simple life

-  KARINE MONIÉ

It her first viewing, Pam Williams thought it might be A too much of a challenge to bring this warehouse apartment in Portland, Oregon, back to its former glory, but when she discovered what the team at Jessica Helgerson Interior Design had achieved in another unit in the same building, her hesitation completely disappeared.

The designers went on to apply their unique perspective to this project, informed by a respect for historical architecture coupled with an appreciation of the playfulness and brightness of modern design'.

The exposed brick, wooden beams, high ceilings, large old windows, and open layout are reminiscent of the property's past.

Built-in 1910, the building used to be a warehouse before being transformed into apartments. 'Before the walls were held down from the ceiling and a very large series of ducts was exposed above,' says senior designer Mira Eng-Goetz. Working with an HVAC mechanical engineer, we got clever about raising the walls to the ceiling and hiding the ducting.'