Industrial Loft Peninsula Fireplace
This North Loop neighborhood loft received national attention from the Wall Street Journal. We interviewed the designer to find out why the home owners love this peninsula, 3 sided fireplace from Element4 so much.
Your design with this peninsula, 3 sided fireplace attracted a lot of attention, didn't it?
“Yes, it isn’t every day that I get a call from The Wall Street Journal wanting an interview with us. They saw the image on Houzz”
“A home is a very special place for people; a home is a place where we should find safety, respite and peace. We help our clients find that harmony within their homes.”
Tell me about the project, what was the biggest challenge?
“The client wanted to be able to view the fireplace from all areas of the loft which resulted in a massive support wall forming a peninsula between the dining and living areas. We involved a structural engineer to plan the wall structure needed to support the fireplace and the heavy metallic wall tiles selected. The fireplace needed to be big and the flames needed to be substantial. We chose the European Home Lucius 140and the client is very happy with it.”
The challenge in any project is to balance the aesthetic and the function and because we are a design/build company we understand both aspects of the process.”
What did White Crane enjoy about the project?
“The couple was super creative and involved. They knew what they wanted-they described it as “industrial yet earthy” We played off the existing exposed brick, exposed duct work and steel which already gave the industrial look. We added elements of wood, glass and stone to balance the industrial with the earthy feel they desired"'.
Tell me about you and White Crane. What is your role?
“I am a senior designer and director of sales & design. I have been a nationally certified designer for 16 years working primarily in residential.”
What sets White Crane apart from other firms?
“We are a design/ build company so we control the end result, not just the design. We manage the overall design and production of the project. We develop a budget and work to the budget so there are no surprises. I would say that our strength is our communication process.
We have a defined process of communication between the client and the trade professionals so that the project stays on course. We seek to keep every project between 12 and 14 weeks.
White Crane is all about the people and their experience. We work primarily in the Twin Cities with older homes and clients who are urban professionals who respect the history of their neighborhoods while still being interested in sustainability. We help them find the balance between the two.”
Homes in the twin cities were built during the years 1900-1950 and most of our clients respect the specific aesthetic of the neighborhood. They love and appreciate the character of the city.”
What aspect of your job are you most passionate about?
“A home is a very special place for people; a home is a place where we should find safety, respite and peace. We help our clients find that harmony within their homes.”