Sustainable Century City Chic
America’s Leading Green Designer Lori Dennis creates an eco-friendly 1970s inspired pad in California’s Century City
Winter, 2010 | By Michele Koh
Adam Coulter the owner of this apartment in Fox Hills Drive, in California’s Century City had successfully battled cancer as a teenager. With the full awareness that our eco-system is as fragile and precious as life itself, he decided that his new home would have to be done by an environmentally-friendly interior designer. The person he selected was Lori Dennis, who is known for her expertise in sustainable living.
One of North America’s top interior designers, Dennis was awarded the best green and modern design by the American Society of Interior Designers. Dennis runs a full service design company that oversees everything from exterior construction to interior furnishing. Her firm’s cutting-edge design concepts implemented with practical sustainable principles makes them a leader in the growing field of eco-friendly home designs, so they were the perfect fit for Coulter.
The apartment is 186 sqm space that was a 1970s third floor condo. It has two bedrooms, three bathrooms, two patios, a loft study area and an open plan kitchen, dining and living area. It took Dennis six month to remodel the place, while keeping the groovy 70s vibe along with lava rock façade on the fireplace and flamed patterned mirror, driftwood siding, velvet carpets, wall to wall faux and asbestos popcorn ceilings. Dennis says that this concept works well with both apartments and houses, but is particularly ideal for apartments because it gives a small space the look of a home.
Upbeat space for social gathering and fun:
Coulter who shares the apartment with his wife and child loves the colour orange and wanted the place to have a fun and upbeat feel. He also wanted a spacious layout for parties as he and his wife love to cook, dance and have friends and family over frequently.
Sustainable Features:
The most stunning features of this apartment are a chic glass loft and funky floating stairs. Dennis gave much thought to important details like lighting and air circulation. She was concerned with finding the best way to flood the space with natural light and increase airflow, so as to reduce electricity usage for bulbs and air conditioning. To reduce water consumption, Dennis eliminated a wet bar in the dining area and connected the dining directly to the kitchen for a more spacious loft effect. She replaced a boring boxy staircase with floating stair that leads to a loft where solid walls were replaced with glass.
Plenty of natural Zen inspired materials like river rocks, hand scooped bamboo, glass linen and travertine are used to decorate this space. Almost all the furniture pieces like a Blonchetto side table and Theo club chair are custom-designed by Lori Dennis, Inc.
True to green design, Dennis made effort to reclaim and recycle all materials used on this project and donate them to local charities. The construction work for walls, plumbing and electricity were kept to a minimum to reduce waste and conserve building material. All appliances used in the home are Energy Star Rated and eco-friendly plumbing and lighting fixtures were used wherever possible. The home furnishing items and accessories are also environmentally friendly.
Coulter was happy to spend close to US $130,00 ($170,00) for the design, construction and décor. Not only did that price tag buy him a healthy, stylish and environmentally friendly home, it also upped the property’s market US$300,000.
Design Tip
For a more spacious effect, connect the dining area directly to the kitchen.
Create a fun and upbeat mood in the mood in the home with bright shades like orange.
Flood your home with natural light and increase airflow in order reduce electricity usage for bulbs and air conditioning.
Add interest to your home replacing boring staircase with floating stair that leads to a loft or upper floor, where solid walls were replaced with glass.
To recreate an eco-home use Energy Star Rated appliances and eco-friendly plumbing and lighting fixtures where possible.
Captions:
Keep the groovy 70s vibe alive with elements like flamed patterned mirror, and velvet carpet. This is particularly ideal for apartments as it gives a small space the look of a home.