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Brooklyn Loft That Marries Industrial Edge With a Playful Aesthetic

ByMyProperty Life

Situated in a century-old industrial building in Brooklyn, New York, a 1,700-square-foot loft has been transformed with a playful, industrial edge. Conceived by Hormuz Batliboi of Batliboi Studio for homeowner Valerie Tsvetkova – who leads the creative services team at beauty brand Elizabeth Arden – the two-bedroom, two-bath residence offers a fresh interpretation of loft living, combining historic character with modern ingenuity.

A green, wave-shaped bookshelf holds books, glassware, vases, a potted plant, and decorative objects against a white wall with framed art.

The space’s original bones – a former manufacturing site – set the tone for the design language. During the renovation, Batliboi uncovered long-hidden timber beams and steel joints concealed behind a dropped ceiling. Rather than mask these relics of the past, he leaned into them, allowing the architectural heritage to shape the loft’s narrative. Exposed structural elements now act as visual anchors, lending the space an authenticity rarely found in newer builds.

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Modern dining room with a wooden table, eight mauve chairs, exposed ceiling beams, light wood floors, a vase of red tulips, and green wave-like shelving on a white wall.

At the outset, the loft presented a challenge familiar to many converted spaces: disjointed utilities and an awkward kitchen layout. Batliboi reimagined the floorplan by centralizing the utility infrastructure and subtly raising the floor in specific areas to accommodate functional upgrades. This smart spatial change allowed for a seamless kitchen integration at the heart of the home.

A modern living room with wooden beams, large windows, light wood floors, a beige sofa, dining table, TV, houseplants, and contemporary art on white walls.

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A highlight to the main living space, particularly the dining room, is a 15-foot sculptural shelf in green ripples across the wall. Its fluid, ribbon-like form is crafted from layers of CNC-milled wood laminated together, and the shade of green was matched precisely to the client’s existing pendant lights. Equal parts functional and artistic, the shelf doubles as a sideboard, emphasizing Batliboi’s knack for turning practical solutions into focal points.

Modern kitchen with a marble island, wooden chairs, stainless steel appliances, pendant lights, and a vase of flowers on the counter.

Modern kitchen with a brass faucet and sink, wooden cabinets, stainless steel backsplash, and decorative items on the countertop and shelf.

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The kitchen features sleek stainless steel countertops paired with a warm mix of brass detailing and natural stone. Instead of opting for fully custom cabinetry, Batliboi worked with a flat-pack system from REFORM, meticulously tailoring the installation for a refined, built-in appearance. This hybrid approach captures a luxury aesthetic without unnecessary excess – an elegant nod to sustainable design thinking.

Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a marble island, and wooden bar stools. Pendant lights hang from the ceiling, and a colorful painting is on the wall.

A hallway with floor-to-ceiling wooden cabinets on the left, light wood flooring, and a room with a dining table and chairs visible in the background.

A room with light wood flooring, a step with a marble riser, a wooden desk and chair, potted plants, and sunlight coming through a window.

Throughout the home, contrasting materials and bespoke accents reinforce the design’s eclectic yet cohesive spirit. In the bathroom, a moody palette comes to life with deep black zellige tiles, matte black flooring, and a bold granite shower – heightened by natural light pouring through a large industrial window. Meanwhile, a mix of penny tile and marble in other areas offers a tactile and visual counterbalance. With its layered materials, custom fabrications, and clever use of space, the home feels personal, intentional, and refreshingly lived-in.

A modern home office corner with a built-in desk, books, plants, a lamp, an open notebook, and a wooden chair by a window with sheer curtains.

Minimalist close-up of two matte gray doors with brass vertical handles and a central black gap between them.

A bathroom with glossy black tile walls, a gold-framed mirror, a marble sink, a round wall light, a towel on a bar, and soap and a potted plant on the counter.

Modern shower with glossy black tiles, gold fixtures, a glass door, and a large window overlooking trees and a brick building outside.

A view from a closet with hanging clothes and drawers into a bedroom with a bed, a window with sheer curtains, and wooden flooring.

A modern bathroom with a wooden vanity, marble countertop and backsplash, two rectangular mirrors, gold fixtures, and green walls.

Modern bathroom with a marble tub and shower, gold fixtures, green walls, mosaic tile floor, and a robe hanging on the wall.

For more information on the Brooklyn Heights Loft by Batliboi Studios, visit batliboi.studio.

Photography by Ashok Sinha.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

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