This article was written by Megan Stacy, and first appeared in the San Antonio Express-News on July 11, 2010.
SPACES: From candy factory to living space (3rd of 3 posts)
Modern kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances is set amid original wood beams.
“Ann Allega says there are 20 to 30 places to visit within a 10-minute walk from their home. Following in the British tradition, they’ve adopted nearby Beethoven’s beer garden as their ‘local,’ or neighborhood pub.
“They often cycle to restaurants and stores and have been impressed by the amount of activities available for children. ‘We think urban living is something everyone should try,’ Philip Allega says.”
questions about interior design for lofts? contact Julie Risman.
Mexican tiles line the front of the steps leading into the basement.
“Ann Allega says that without the guidance of a professional interior decorator she might have, at best, duplicated what she saw in magazine pictures.
“The Allegas drafted a detailed Request for Proposal and mailed it to several interior decorators before choosing one. ‘A decorator was able to broker the differences in our tastes,’ Philip Allega says, which meant decisions were made quicker and with fewer disputes.
Flowers in the kitchen add a splash of color to the open floor plan.
“Because of the open floor plan, Ann describes the house as ‘one big giant room.’ She knew that with a 4-year-old son, the open plan had the potential to turn into one giant playroom. To avoid this, the Allegas designated play areas equipped with storage. A table in the living room provides plenty of space for creative play, while two large baskets beneath are within easy reach to store toys. The unused space beneath the staircase also serves as an out-of-the-way play area.
“The Allegas’ decorator, Julie Risman, believes in taking inspiration from architecture. The Allega home is a modern loft in a 100-year-old structure. To play off this juxtaposition, Risman deliberately placed the sleek, flat screen TV against the exposed original masonry in the home. The architecture drove small details too – Risman wrapped the TV cords in galvanized casing to mimic the exposed air conditioning duct running above the living area.”
Great job…nice pictures!