FROM INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE TO LUXURY APARTMENT: AN INTERIOR DESIGNER TRANSFORMS HER NEW YORK HOME INTO A MODERN APARTMENT WITH A TRIBUTE TO HER ROOTS

The owners’ passion for travel, large-format works of art, and custom-designed furniture define the personality of this urban loft, where industrial style converses with an eclectic and contemporary aesthetic.

BY ANNA LLOPIS PUBLISHED: 06/09/2026

This loft is part of the New York Dock Building, a building constructed in 1910 as a massive warehouse for the New York Dock Company in Brooklyn. Years later, it was given a second life as an unofficial graffiti museum, some traces of which are still visible on the original concrete columns . Since 2018, the building has been converted into apartments that preserve its industrial heritage.

The challenge of transforming this loft into a home perfectly suited to its owners’ needs and personalities was accepted by Laurie Blumenfeld, interior designer and director of Laurie Blumenfeld Design . “My goal was to create a home that tells a story through textures, warmth, and proportions , and that integrates seamlessly with the architecture of this iconic building,” says Laurie Blumenfeld.

A deeply personal space

Both Laurie and her husband love to travel, so their loft is filled with pieces from designers and artisans around the world, as well as objects collected during their trips abroad. Africa, Brazil, the UK, Turkey, Mexico City, and Italy are just some of the 40 countries they’ve visited. Large-format artworks commissioned and discovered in Paris are also a striking feature. “Many elements are inspired by international boutique hotels where we’ve stayed,” the interior designer explains.

The owner’s personal touch is also evident in the custom-made furniture throughout the loft . Among the most striking pieces are the walnut dining table with metal details; the unique coffee table that combines marble, glass, and brass; and the shelving system that integrates the desk located by the window.

Another interesting feature is the modular system designed to expand storage space in the kitchen. It includes cabinets, drawers, and glass display cases, primarily for organizing dishes and glassware. “It offers ample storage space that suits my husband’s prolific cooking activity and my desire for an organized environment ,” explains the director of Blumenfeld Design.

A layout designed for living

The loft boasts 158 square meters spread across a single floor, where a large open-plan space encompasses the living room, dining room, and kitchen. It also features two bedrooms – one of which doubles as a design studio and guest room – two full bathrooms, and a powder room.

The living room, defined by the rug, features a sofa with a chaise longue, a coffee table with several side tables, two designer armchairs, and a unique floor lamp, along with several works of art. Adjacent to the living room is the dining room, which includes an oval table seating six, chairs upholstered in velvet, and a striking pendant lamp. The kitchen, meanwhile, is arranged around a central island with a practical breakfast nook along one side.

A wall adorned with a large artwork and a fireplace separates this area from the adjoining office. In addition to custom-made furniture and a sofa bed, this space houses an elegant vintage chest of drawers with a built-in bar.

The en-suite bedroom is striking for its four-poster bed and oval-shaped bedside tables, both designed by the interior designer and owner of the loft.

The bathrooms also have their own distinct personalities. The powder room is the most striking, thanks to its triangular and asymmetrical sink, sculpted from a single block of marble. The en-suite bathroom, designed for two people to use simultaneously, incorporates a rug acquired in Nepal, providing a handcrafted counterpoint. Finally, the guest bathroom stands out for its unique wallpaper that covers several of its walls.

Colors and materials in an industrial style

The loft’s original structure retains a distinctly industrial character: high ceilings with exposed beams, concrete columns with preserved graffiti, and large factory-inspired windows offering fantastic views of Brooklyn and Manhattan . This architectural identity influenced the choice of materials and color palette.

The interior designer opted for natural materials, such as waxed wood, glass, and sheepskin, combined with powder-coated black metal. Regarding the colors, she chose a discreet and warm palette of neutral tones – white, taupe, lead gray, and ivory – that echo the building’s industrial past. As a counterpoint, there are touches of more intense colors – black, yellow, green, and blue – that add vibrancy and depth to the overall design.

The natural light streaming through the large windows of the various rooms -each measuring 4 x 4 meters – enhances the most intense colors and reinforces the feeling of spaciousness. At the same time, it adds a warm and inviting touch to the spaces. Like the custom-made furniture , all the woodwork was designed by the interior design studio Blumenfeld Design.

The result is a loft that stays true to the building’s original industrial style – one of the first steel and concrete structures in the United States – but is perfectly adapted to its owners’ lifestyle. Designed to entertain family and friends, the interior combines large-format artwork with trees and plants inspired by their travels through India, South America, and Africa. “It’s a very personal, design-focused home, where every detail was meticulously considered and every piece – furniture, finish, color, or texture – was chosen with intention,” concludes the owner, Laurie Blumenfeld.