Network Lofts

Quick Design Tips to Cleanse Your Palate

2006-01-04T09:32:00.000-08:00

Now that the holidays are OVAH! It is time to cleanse your palate. Here are some quick design tips to quickly change the look and feel of your space from season to season.

Slip covers, slip covers, slip covers! You can change the entire look of your furniture to suit the mood of the season. Corduroy or flannel fabrics are great for the fall and winter, and heavy cotton poplin or twill for the spring and summer. You can have slip covers made for you couches, ottomans, dinning room chairs you name it! If you want to keep an eclectic look, mix and match slip covers…proceed with caution.

Seasonal Foliage, now that the tree is gone, it is time to think about what piece of plant life can occupy your space to give it the look you want. Bright berries, banana leaves, sugar cane, or even pussywillow will enable you to see that the possibilities are endless.

Instant art, but no one needs to know. Go to an art supply store and buy yourself a couple of large canvases. Paint the canvases to match your new colour scheme and you are in business.

Happy Holidays

2005-12-22T09:05:00.000-08:00

On behalf of everyone here at the Network Lofts Blogger, have a happy and safe holiday season. We will be taking a little break and will look forward to hearing from you in the New Year!

Christmas in the Neighbourhood

2005-12-21T10:35:00.000-08:00

Christmas in the neighbourhood

The holidays can be a very stressful time of year. What should be a time of relaxation and reflection can turn into a time of frustration and indignation. One way to combat these holiday blahs is to enjoy the simpler things this holiday season can offer. We are lucky to live in a city of charming and beautiful neighbourhoods; an evening stroll or a window seat in a city café can be both relaxing and heart warming.

Bloor West Village

Home to the best perogies on the planet, the bakeries in this part of our fair city offer a cornucopia of sweets and savory delights. It is not uncommon to see people carry Styrofoam containers with a sampling of different dishes from every establishment as they stroll down this stretch of Bloor Street.

Yorkville

Window shopping may not be as rewarding as the real thing, but it is always fun to look at the holiday decorations. Plus you don’t have to deal with long line-ups or pushy sales people.

The Beaches

While rolling down the boardwalk is summer fun summer fare, try taking a walk in the crisp winter air. On a clear night you can grab a warm blanket and sit on the sand…make sure you’ve got a hot bevy in hand.

The West Kingsway

Take a stroll down Bloor Street West, enjoy some of the numerous small shops and local merchants along the way. Pick up a snack in one of the enticing restaurants, or a last minute gift, make a detour and enjoy the holiday lights twinkling on pretty side streets.

Little Italy

Have yourself a slice of panetone (Italian Christmas cake) and an espresso at Bar Italia, then take a stroll on College street. Drop by Balfour books and pick yourself up a used copy of Dickens’ classics.

High Park

Right smack dab in the city, our little piece of nature is usually enjoyed in the summer and fall for the foliage. But the snow turns this treasure into a winter wonderland. Put on your boots and enjoy a nice hike…or slap on some ice skates and away you go.

The Holidays need not be expensive or stressful; hopefully our little list will give you some ideas to get yourself back into the spirit of the season.

Happy Holidays from the Network Lofts blog crew.

Fun Holiday Recipes

2005-12-21T08:36:00.000-08:00

For this holiday season, we’ve decided to offer you a few tasty recipe ideas that we found from various internet sites and sampled thanks to Dianne one of my lovely co-workers. We enjoyed them so much we just had to share them. These festive treats will only help to enhance the Christmas ambiance you have set up in your home and your guests will love you for entertaining their taste buds. So now that you have hopefully completed all you’re holiday to do’s, read, bake and enjoy!

Taylor

Cherry Cider

Ingredients:

2 quarts apple Cider
1 (3 inch) Cinnamon Stick
1 (3 ounce) Package Cherry Gelatin

Directions:

Bring Cider and Cinnamon stick to a boil in a saucepan.
Reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Add gelatin; cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes or until gelatin is dissolved. Serve Warm.

Place a cinnamon stick in each glass, and add a curl of lemon rind

Recipe taken from http://drink.allrecipes.com/az/ChrryCidr.asp

Appetizer Wreath Recipe

Ingredients:
· 2 tubes (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent rolls
· 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
· 1/2 cup sour cream
· 1 teaspoon dill weed
· 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
· 1 1/2 cup chopped fresh broccoli florets
· 1 cup finely chopped celery
· 1/2 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
· Celery leaves

Directions:
Remove crescent dough from packaging (do not unroll). Cut each tube into eight slices. Arrange in an 11-in. circle on an ungreased 14-in. pizza pan. Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes before carefully removing to a serving platter.
In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, dill and garlic powder until smooth. Spread over wreath; top with broccoli, celery and red pepper. Form a bow garnish with celery leaves.

Recipe from http://cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/76/AppetizerWreath63536.shtml

GINGERBREAD LAYER CAKE WITH CANDIED KUMQUATS

Cake1 cup cola1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda1 cup mild-flavored (light) molasses2 cups all purpose flour2 tablespoons ground ginger1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3/4 teaspoon ground cloves1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar3/4 cup vegetable oil3 large eggs
Candied kumquats1 cup water3/4 cup honey1/4 cup sugar15 whole cloves2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise22 ounces kumquats, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, seeded
Frosting1 1/3 cups (packed) dark brown sugar1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon whipping cream2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup pecans, toasted, chopped1/3 cup chopped crystallized ginger

Preparation:

For cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour three nonstick 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Bring cola to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Remove from heat; whisk in baking soda, then molasses. Transfer to large bowl; cool to room temperature. Whisk flour and next 6 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Whisk sugar, oil, and eggs into molasses mixture. Whisk in dry ingredients. Divide batter among prepared pans (about 1 2/3 cups batter for each).
Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 18 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 15 minutes. Turn cakes out onto racks; cool cakes completely.
For candied kumquats: Bring first 5 ingredients to boil in heavy large skillet, stirring to dissolve sugar. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Add kumquats; reduce heat to medium and simmer until almost tender, stirring often, about 6 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer kumquats to plate. Boil syrup until reduced to 2/3 cup, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Cool syrup.
For frosting: Stir brown sugar and whipping cream in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves; cool caramel completely. Transfer 1/4 cup caramel to small bowl and reserve. Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in large bowl until smooth. Beat remaining caramel into frosting until well blended.
Chop enough candied kumquats to measure 1/3 cup; mix in small bowl with 1 tablespoon kumquat syrup. Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread 3/4 cup frosting over. Dot with half of chopped-kumquat mixture. Drizzle with half of reserved caramel. Top with second cake layer. Spread 3/4 cup frosting over. Dot with remaining chopped-kumquat mixture. Drizzle with remaining reserved caramel. Top with third cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Arrange enough sliced kumquats in single layer atop cake just to cover. Mix pecans and ginger in small bowl. Press nut mixture halfway up sides of cake. Chill 1 hour. (Cake can be made 1 day ahead. Cover cake with cake dome; chill overnight. Cover remaining kumquat syrup; let stand at room temperature.) Drizzle some kumquat syrup over kumquats atop cake. Serve cake cold or at room temperature.Makes 12 servings.

Recipe from: http://epicurious.com/bonappetit/desserts/recipes/108970

Holiday Decorating Tips

2005-12-19T11:40:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of year again, time to roll out the Christmas cookies and drag out those decorations from the attic and start your decorating. Although this festive season is loads of fun there are many people who stress over the decorating challenge. So, we’ve compiled a list of helpful hints to help ease your decorating dilemmas.

1) Decide upon an overall theme you’d like throughout your home. It could be a colour theme, a specific Christmas figure like Santa or a nativity scene, or something else you enjoy about the Christmas season.

2) Just because it’s Christmas it doesn’t mean you have to have every corner covered with your Christmas décor. Simple is very elegant and will make a dramatic impression.

3) Candles create a very warm and festive feel. If you have any vases sitting around the house, add a Christmas bow to them along with your favourit scented candles.

4) If you have a nice decorative serving bowl, fill it with ornaments for an easy Christmas table center piece.

5) Children love decorating for Christmas as well. A great way to get the kids involved with decorating is to have two trees. One for the kids to decorate and one can be your tree to decorate with whatever theme you wish.

6) Wreathes are a lovely way to add a touch of class to your home at Christmas and you can find many to suit your style.

So enjoy the holiday season and remember that family and friends are the best Christmas accessories you’ll ever put in your home.

Happy Holidays

Taylor

A Helpful Website

2005-12-16T12:37:00.000-08:00

Hello all you Loft Dwellers and Loft Dwellers to be,

As you all know, planning for your new place of dwelling is a very important task. Ones home is a reflection of your style, personality, and taste. Not only is it a very personal affaire, it can also be tedious and time consuming trying to find a look you feel you could live with. After all, we can’t redecorate to suit the mood we wake up with each morning.
So, we’ve done some research and have started compiling a list of helpful home decorating websites to help you with plans for your new abode.

We’d like to introduce you to the ever so popular Home and Garden Television website www.hgtv.com . It has lots of fun links with helpful hints for everyone. My favourit part of this site is the room planner. To get here click on “Decorating” then on the right hand side you’ll see a small column that says “Most Popular” and in this column you’ll see the link to the room planner. Here you physically get to plan your room on the screen in front of you. It’s much easier to plan a room on a computer screen rather then physically moving all your furniture around all afternoon. (It’s also a fun thing to do in the office when you’re bored, but you didn’t’ hear that from me).

So, why don’t you check it out and play around and see if anything they mention catches your eye.

Stay tuned for more interesting links.

Taylor

Spicing up the wall

2005-12-12T09:58:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of decorating I realized there was something we hadn’t touched upon which can add a lot to your loft. Any guesses???? Well, I won’t keep you waiting. The topic of the day will be artwork. No matter what pieces you have collected or are considering buying, there is always a great way to display them so they can be enjoyed by all.

We’ve contacted our wonderful designer Tara Lee and she has given us a few tips to keep in mind when displaying art.

-First off, the art must always suit the wall space. Consider the size of the wall, and the size of the piece of art. An extra large photograph on a smaller wall space can be overpowering and will actually take away from the beauty of the photograph.

-Keep in mind the rule of three. Odd numbers are more interesting to the eye. Line up three photographs horizontally for a symmetrical look, or arrange them asymmetrically for a more creative style.

-Vary the shapes and sizes of the same type and same colour object. Centre the largest piece and work your way out. This is best done by mapping out your arrangement on the floor, then transferring it onto the wall.

-Contrasting your art work with colour is a great way to make your art stand out. Use a bold wall colour then hang your piece, this can make a treasured piece shine!!

-Lastly, if you’re trying to spruce up a narrow wall space, try hanging one tall piece or several small pieces in a vertical line. This is especially great if you’ve got tall ceilings.

Talk to you soon,

Taylor

Old vs. New

2005-12-09T08:59:00.000-08:00

Thanks for all the emails guys. We've been sorting through each one looking for themes and we came up with this question that seemed to be on many of your minds.

I've recently moved from a old victorian style home and am now the proud owner of a stylish and trendy loft . My biggest dilemma though is decorating. I've been collecting antique for over 30 years and have some beautiful pieces. My question is, how do I make my antiques work in such a modern surrounding?

Gregory

First of all Gregory, if you're planning on selling any of your antiques please notify my asap as I too collect them and will love them just as much as you did. Secondly, despite my wanting to see and possibly buy some of your antiques, I will be honest and tell you what Tara Lee our designer extrodinaire has to say about your dilemma.

Combining old with new is incredibly trendy and in style these days so keep your favourit pieces and do combine them with your new abode. Many people feel that they can only have one look in a home. Old antique furniture when arranged with the right pieces can have a very sophisticated and stylish look when put together properly. Since you are downsizing you may have to limit the amount of antiques you bring with you as your spacehas decreased dramatically. You'll need to really sit down and decide what pieces you need and what pieces you can part with.

Next, look at what furniture you'll need to purchase and what you already have. Subtle modern lighting over an antique table can really showcase the piece and bring it up to date. Old photographs, manuscripts, maps etc, framed and placed on the wall bring shear elegance to the den, office or reading nook. The trick to combining the old with the new is to be sure not to create a cluttered look. Your collection of antique tins is incredible, but how about only using three on the counter as oppose to eleven. For larger pieces such as sideboards or buffet tables ad a modern vase or urn to bring it up to date.

Well, hopefully some of these tips will have answered your questions. Keep the emails coming we're always delighted to hear from you.

Taylor

Colour and Decor

2005-12-06T19:01:00.000-08:00

Hello and Welcome-

The images of the model suites have generated a number of emails to the blog (We LOVE getting emails, fyi, and do share, post and brag about the ones we receive. Just so you know.)

Some regular bloggeurs have asked for more information about the decor and interior design of the actual model suites, and made references to the images we have posted.

In upcoming posts we will deal with specific questions about design, and post some tips and hints from Tara Lee, the interior designer behind the Network Lofts.

We will be starting with a series of questions we received dealing with colour. The most common question was"how do I know what colour to use?" in my new loft.

Tara Lee responds:
"Colour is always a personal choice, even though there are trends that come and go in colour palettes. I encourage my clients to explore colour when they are decorating, and consider new tones. The best advice is to use colours that appeal to you, and that mesh with your overall style and design theme. You can't go wrong using a unified colour palette for your loft.

You can also use colour to add personal touches, say, through art, mementos, cushions and fabric. Sometimes a shot of a "hot" colour (for example, red) can add a note of warmth and style to a darker toned room. Alternatively, a "cool" colour (blue, or a dark green) will serve to introduce a sense of calm and grace to a brighter space."

A note about the photographs of the model suites that appear on this blog:

We appreciate the comments about the gorgeous photographs but we have to admit (grudgingly, because we like the compliments) that they are the work of a professional photographer. Photographs like that require talent and skill, and we are delighted with the results. They most definitely are not, however, the work of the blog's camera phone.

Thanks for surfing by, and don't hesitate to send your design questions to:

taylor@targetedmessages.com

We can't promise that we will answer all of the questions we receive but we are going to try!

Best wishes from the Network Lofts blog crew,

Taylor

The Pinehurst Suite

2005-11-29T11:56:00.000-08:00

Well hello all you lovely people, thank you once again for visiting our blog--

We’ve been getting such wonderful feedback from the photos that I just couldn’t resist posting another.

I’d like to introduce you all to the Pinehurst, the 900 sq foot stunner that opens up her arms and welcomes everyone in. There’s plenty of space and the view will keep you coming back for more.

Thank you again for your kind and thoughtful comments about the model suites; we have taken the liberty of passing on some of the comments to our interior designer. Your compliments are very encouraging.

Cheers
Taylor

Lofts for living.

2005-11-24T15:10:00.000-08:00

Suite dreams? Here at the Network Lofts blog we believe that sweet dreams are created in a bedroom like the one we showcasing today, the master bedroom of the Windermere suite.

Not shown in this image is the ensuite washroom and walk-in closet.

I hope you enjoy the images of our model suites.

Best wishes from Taylor

Taylor saying hello

2005-11-23T10:30:00.000-08:00

This image is of the Windermere suite, interior design by Tara Lee, developed by Alterra Corporation and Finer Space Corporation.

This image shows one view of the kitchen and dining area. The table shown here accomodates eight guests.

Thank you for your emails, and for stopping by the blog.

Taylor

New Images

2005-11-22T14:43:00.000-08:00

In this image you can see the fireplace in the Princeton suite. I love the colour theme in this loft that somehow looks dramatic at night and bright and airy during the day.

Best wishes from Taylor

The Princeton Suite

2005-11-21T10:22:00.000-08:00

Hello and Welcome,

This is your faithful intern & blogger, Taylor, with another update. I have received another series of images of the model suites at the Network Lofts. Today I am pleased to post images of the Princeton model. I have posted two images to show a daytime and evening view.

I hope you enjoy them!

Taylor

Pinehurst suite photos revealed!

2005-11-18T10:07:00.000-08:00

Hello from Taylor (Intern, Blogger, Dog Walker)

I am delighted to share new images of the model suites at Network Lofts. These beautiful images are of the Pinehurst suite, and I will be continuing to post more pictures of all the model suites as soon as I receive them.

Our Pinehurst model suite (which is an actual loft and not merely for show) is shown with polished concrete floors. The floors are beautiful, and are often commented upon by visitors.

Thanks for stopping by the blog--

Taylor

Beautiful lofts.

2005-11-17T16:01:00.000-08:00

The Winderemere suite is a two bedroom loft with dramatic views of the cityscape and the West Kingsway neighbourhood. This image was taken in the evening.

For a long time the crew at the blog has been eager to showcase some of the images that were being taken of the model suites.

Enjoy the tour!

Taylor and the Bloggers

Photoshoot

2005-11-16T15:25:00.000-08:00

We received some kind notes from les bloggistes about the images we posted of the model suites when we introduced our new mascot, Charlie, in a recent post.

Professional photographs of the model suites have been taken and these images will be posted soon. While we are justifiably proud of some of our digital images, we aren't talented enough to do justice to our model suites. Stay tuned for pictures.

In the meantime, we'll find some more candid shots of Charlie, relaxing at the Network Lofts.

Thanks for stopping by the blog-. Drop by again soon.

Walking through the neighbourhood

2005-11-14T14:48:00.000-08:00

A charming study of Charlie relaxing on the sofa in the Windermere Model Suite. Note how he is perfectly colour-coordinated to both the sofa and the carpet.

Here at the Network Lofts blog we admit to being biased about the West Kingsway neighbourhood. We have visited different streets, shops, restaurants (which we greatly enjoyed), professionals and more. We have stopped at charming cafes for a rest, and made purchases at stores ranging from clothing to pet accessories.

Speaking of pet accessories...

No blog is complete without a mascot. This is not a rule that is etched in stone, but it does suit us because this blog--Network Lofts--has appointed an official mascot. His name is Charlie and he made his first (of many) visits to the West Kingsway neighbourhood this past weekend.

It is now our decided belief that no walk in the neighbourhood is complete without a 5 pound Yorkshire Terrier as company. Charlie is short on height (say, about eight inches in height) but very tall on both courage and charm.

Charlie walked from the Newtwork Lofts west along Bloor Street to Prince Edward Drive on the south side of the street. The return trip was along the north side; all the way we were stopped by dog-owners, dog-l0vers, anyone with children, and some innocent sorts who simply could not pass by Charlie without stopping to pat his head.

Five pounds does not a bruiser make; we also smuggled Charlie up into the Presentation and Welcoming Centre to snap some digital pix of our mascot enjoying the model suites.

The verdict? The walk along Bloor Street West is a neighbourhood jaunt with friendly people, enticing restaurants, great cafes and smart retail shops. We encourage you to take a stroll through this engaging part of the city--whether you have a four-footed companion or not.

Thanks for stopping by from the Crew at the Blog.

Style and Design in our Model Suites

2005-11-09T11:21:00.000-08:00

Hello to our friends in the blogosphere,

Whew. The response to the news that we would be hosting a design event with the designer of the Network Lofts has been--gulp--very, very well received.

We are grateful to everyone who took time to send us an email commenting on our model suites; rest assured we have passed on many kind notes to Tara Lee, the creative force behind the look and feel of Network Lofts.

We have also been archiving questions for Tara, and we will be posting her Q&A next week. A lot of people were curious to know how certain design effects were accomplished, and Tara has kindly agreed to provide some tips and hints on how these dramatic elements can be recreated for your loft.

We will also be sharing a truncated list of resources (Tara does have her secret sources, after all) and her thougths on different design features.

On a friendly note, we were also happy to hear from so many neighbours who stopped by 2 Fieldway Road to take in the rejuvenation of Network Lofts first hand, and enjoy the gorgeous views that stretch out in all directions from our 11th floor Presentation and Welcoming Centre. Thanks for your kind comments and encouraging remarks!

Special Hello:
Hello to Chris; we were thrilled to learn that your loft will have the cityscape view you have dreamed of, in a neighbourhood so familiar to you. Thank you for keeping in touch with the blog, and we will--ahem--post some images for you soon. Your excitement and enthusiasm was a welcome addition to a busy day.

Until next time, this is Michael (yet another intern!) on behalf of the bloggers at Network Lofts.

Weekend Review

2005-11-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

Hello and Welcome,

The Exclusive Preview Event of Network Lofts this past Saturday was a huge event, and the team here at the blog was happy to meet so many bloggistes who dropped in to say hello.

It was fun to meet so many people who are regular readers, and speak with people who have been following the blog and the rejuvenation of the Network Lofts.

To follow up on promises we made over the weekend:

We will be posting updated photographs of the model suites (and thankyouverymuch for the compliments about them!) early this week.
We will be posting more Q&A with our designer.
We will be hosting an evening with our designer for loft-owners to learn about smart tips for decorating a loft living space.
We will be maintaining our blog and keeping the news and info current.

We also want to post a special hello to some specific people:

Karen stopped to say hello and share her memories of working at the Network Lofts over 20 years ago. We also want to congratulate her on her loft purchase!
Dan-the-Intern (famous here at the ol' blog) who stopped in to say hello.

More photos are coming soon; thanks again for stopping by the blog.

Taylor, Intern and Blogger

Exclusive Preview Event: NOVEMBER 5 @ 11AM

2005-11-04T11:20:00.000-08:00

The following is a public service announcement from The Network Lofts Blog Team:

We are very proud to announce an

Exclusive Preview Event

of the

Network Lofts Presentation and Welcoming Centre

Our dramatic Presentation and Welcoming Centre is a 0ne-stop destination for anyone interested in learning more about the building, seeing the model suites, or learnin more about real estate in Toronto.

Date: Saturday November 5, 2005
Time: 11AM
Where: Network Lofts, 2 Fieldway Road, Etobicoke.
What: Exlcusive Preview Event
Contact: 416-239-1900
Email: live@networklofts.com

The Lighting Dilemma

2005-10-31T11:10:00.000-08:00

Well, as you can see from the lovely photographs in the last posting, summer is gone and we are well into fall. Just the other day I had the opportunity to take in that spectacular view from Network Lofts, and I also got a sneak peak at the model suites. Each suite was so unique and chic, and everything I wanted in a loft. Unfortunately despite my persistence, they would not let me place an early offer. I thought about holding a protest, but gathered my wit and decided against it.

Instead, I focused my energy on the rules of design offered by Tara Lee. I made of list of all my prized possessions in my home. Then I went through them again and really thought about which ones I could live without and what I would need to update. Then, I started to do a little shopping for furniture. I got some paint chips that I liked and tried to tie it all together. I haven’t purchased anything yet but I have a pretty good idea of what I want, what I like and what I need. My biggest dilemma came when I was deciding on lighting, so to fix this, I sent a quick email to the fabulous Tara Lee and here is what she had to say:

-There are two different types of lights. Global lights: which light the whole room, and Task lights: which are designed to illuminate specific areas. It is good to have a mixture of these in your home.

-For a living room, you want it to be dimly lit, however, there should always be several levels of light available. For example, hang a chandelier from the ceiling but make sure you can adjust the brightness, this way you’ve got all angles covered. Also, have table and or floor lamps available next to seating. For someone who is reading on the sofa, it’s nice to have good lighting close by.

-Bathrooms and Kitchens need to be well lit. There is nothing worse then doing your makeup at 6:00am in the morning only to rush out the door, arrive at work and realize your checks are as red as the tomato soup you’ve made for lunch.

-When deciding what type of light fixture you want to use, go to a large store that offers a wide variety of lighting and become familiar with what is out there.

-Don’t forget about different types of bulbs, incandescent, florescent and quartz-halogen. Each offers a different colour, wattage, and they differ in the amount of light they give off.

-Once you’ve decided on your lighting, play around with it in your room. Move floor lamps and table lamps around until you get the effect you like.

-Lastly, take your time. There’s no rush, and you’ll be happier in the end.

Cheers,
Taylor

Autumn Views

2005-10-25T14:15:00.000-07:00

We are still responding to the emails we have received; thanks for dropping by and saying hello.

We're a friendly bunch here at the blog, so while we can't offer up any sneak-peek shots of the model suites (but stay tuned... shhh, this news is strictly entre blog) we can offer a pretty shot of autumn colours, taken from the Network Lofts.

These views are courtesy of the floor to ceiling windows and the West Kingsway neighbourhood.

Please visit again soon.

Michael, from the Blogsquad

Conversion Job (Toronto Star article)

2005-10-24T15:10:00.000-07:00

Conversion Job

Bell Canada's `overbuilt' complex finds new life as 13-storey condominium

Developers transforming office building, switching station into Network Lofts

W.D. LIGHTHALL
SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Back in 1971, Bell Canada overdid it. That year, Bell built a combined office building and switching station near the intersection of Islington Ave. and Bloor St. W.

In the 1970s, Bell had a monopoly in the phone business and it appeared it wasn't as concerned with achieving the same operating efficiencies as a purely market-driven firm, something reflected in its building programs.

"At the time, their standard modus operandi was to have a giant capital base, a big investment in infrastructure," says Marvin Barnett, a principal with Finer Space Construction.

"By increasing their investment in infrastructure, they could argue with the CRTC to raise their rates."

A development team of Finer Space Construction and The Alterra Group will soon start converting the 12-storey former Bell building into a 13-storey condominium called Network Lofts.

"It's so overdesigned and overbuilt," says Robert Cooper, president of The Alterra Group. "It's a unique project. You don't often see a building like this."

Bell built the structure with concrete floors 25 centimetres (10 inches) thick, where a thickness of 18 to 20 centimetres is fairly standard in residential construction today. Concrete columns that normally would have a radius of 45 to 60 centimetres are instead 76 centimetres round.
At the top of each column, a 10-centimetre-thick reinforcing device — called a capital — beefs the floors up to a thickness of 29 centimetres (14 inches).

"The point where the slab floor connects to the column is where the most stress takes place," explains Barnett. "So most columns have something called a capital. It's a way of distributing the load at the point of connection. They are generally not as big and not as thick as we see here."

The building suits a loft conversion because ceiling heights average 10 1/2 feet and the extra structural strength allows for wide spans between columns and load-bearing concrete walls.
"This has a 30-foot span and traditional spans are 20 feet, sometimes less. Of course, it has to be much thicker and stronger to support those distances," Barnett says.

He says one of the building's few faults is its small windows that allow little natural light in.
The developers will be removing the existing building envelope, which consists of bricks and windows on the lower storeys and aluminum panels and windows on the top four storeys. In their place, a new wall system of floor-to-ceiling glass will be erected.

"With residential, you have to provide lots of natural light. We will change the character and feel of the place," says Barnett. "When you have a stretch of window 10 1/2 feet high, it's almost like being outside."

The conversion work involves removing the old mechanical and electrical systems and replacing them with systems that meet current building-code standards, as well as the expectations of today's condo buyers.

Removing the old mechanical equipment is a challenge because it's on the eighth floor and the super-sized theme of the building extends to the mechanical systems.

The mechanical room is full of large and heavy equipment, some of which is anchored into concrete pads. "Some things can be sliced into smaller pieces, but others will have to be lifted up, placed on casters and rolled to the edge and put on the crane," Barnett says.

The mechanical floor will then be converted into two-storey loft units with ceiling heights open to the 17-foot mark.

Located across the street from the Islington subway station and just west of the Kingsway Village, the building sat empty for about a year after Bell moved out and put it up for sale.
Barnett says it makes good sense to convert the building from office to residential use.

"There's a relatively high vacancy rate of offices in this neighbourhood,'' he says. "However, there's a big growth of commuter types who like to live close to the subway. This fits perfectly within the provincial guidelines for intensification."

Network Lofts will offer one and two-bedroom units, with and without dens. Prices start at $159,990 and units range from 573 square feet to more than 1,200 square feet.

A 13th storey of penthouse units with large outdoor terraces is being added to the original building.

Loft features include ceiling heights ranging from 10 feet to 17 feet, polished concrete floors, exposed concrete columns and oversized windows.

Sales launch this month. The on-site sales centre, with three model suites, is on the 11th floor of the building. Network Lofts is at 2 Fieldway Rd., two blocks west of Islington Ave. and a block south of Bloor St. W.

To register for a preview appointment, visit http://www.alterra.com/.
T
here's also a blog site, http://www.networklofts.blogspot.com/, which tracks the progress of the project and profiles the neighbourhood.

This article originally published in The Toronto Star, Saturday October 22, 2005 (Condo Living section)

Here at Last!!

2005-10-24T10:14:00.000-07:00

Well folks, today is the first day of the rest of your new lives. The day many of you have been waiting for. A day, that will go down in history……………

Well, perhaps not in the great history books, but it could certainly lead to happy memories for many of you. It is the day this wonderful blogspot will announce the “Exclusive Preview Event” for Network Lofts. So, without further adieu I am pleased to announce that this grand event will take place: Saturday November 5th, 2005. The doors will open at 11:00am Sharp (so be there early to ensure you get the best selection). Lastly, this event will take place at 2 Fieldway Road (this is one block West of Islington, South off Bloor) the presentation centre is located on the 11th floor. This is an exclusive event for Pre-Registrants only!!
Furthermore, if you happen to be on the “Pre-Registrants” list, you are entitled to special Pre Grand Opening Prices plus a special bonus package worth over $7500.00.

Now, there is one downside for those of you who are dying to get your hands on one of these beauties. This exclusive event may be your only time to make your dream loft become a reality as the numbers of Pre-Registrants is growing by the hour.

In other groundbreaking news, I had the pleasure of another wonderful chat with our good friend and designer Tara Lee. We were discussing the joys of downsizing, and moving and the fun that comes with it. She did, however mention that others have a hard time seeing their treasured pieces in their new space.
Her wise words of advise for overcoming this obstacle were as follows:

1) Any room can be made into a masterpiece

2) Treasured items will always look good, if arranged properly (if Grandma’s plate collection is something you can’t part with, display it tastefully on the wall in the dining area or in a stylish cabinet).

3) Lighting, lighting, lighting. It can make or break a room. Need I say more!

4) Combine your treasured pieces with new modern pieces. Many people think that old and new can’t share a space together. This is false. Decide what items to throw away, than find modern pieces that will work with them. Throw out that old couch your husband has been keeping since his good old college days, and buy a modern sofa to go with those gorgeous antique end tables that have been dying for a little attention.

5) When you’re out looking for new pieces, take paint chips, fabric swaps, and photos with you so you can be sure to get the right item. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, and find out about store return policies, and remember to take your time. Rome wasn’t built in a day and your new space doesn’t have to be either.

6) Lastly, have fun with your new space. Don’t look at downsizing as a chore, see it as an opportunity to try something new.

Hope to see you at the Preview Event

Taylor

Check out this loft.

2005-10-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

From the New York Times. A fun story about the most expensive loft in NYC.

October 13, 2005
Turf

Make an Offer

By MOTOKO RICH

WENDI DENG is feeling bittersweet about leaving SoHo. Soon she'll be abandoning the apartment she loves for one on the Upper East Side that her husband has dreamed of owning for decades. One immediate change: "I'll have to get a better wardrobe," said Ms. Deng, who was wearing jeans, a white blouse and leopard print flats.

It sounds like any other marital dilemma in which the husband is ready to move and the wife would prefer to stay. Except that in this case the couple is Rupert Murdoch, the media billionaire, and Ms. Deng, his third wife, and the home in question is a SoHo triplex loft that they are trying to unload for $28 million, a price that would make it the most expensive residence ever sold below 14th Street.

Now, if only they could sell it. Like an increasing number of people in Manhattan, they are finding that it's not so easy to do.

After paying a record-breaking $44 million for a Fifth Avenue penthouse previously owned by Laurance S. Rockefeller - the most expensive residence ever sold above 14th Street - the couple is trying to sell their SoHo home at a time when the market for residential real estate in Manhattan appears to be slowing and properties are generally lingering in the listings longer.

Only six prospective buyers have come to see the apartment since it was quietly put on the market in June, their broker says, and no one has made an offer.

So what's a media mogul to do? In this case, reach out to the competition. Although Ms. Deng, 36, normally shies away from interviews, the imperatives of New York real estate have driven her out of her domestic world as a stay-at-home mom to help sell the apartment she owns with Mr. Murdoch, the 74-year-old chairman of the News Corporation, owner of The New York Post and Fox News.

Before they married six years ago, Ms. Deng, who received an M.B.A. from Yale in 1997, was a vice president of Star TV, a News Corporation subsidiary in Hong Kong. Since marrying Mr. Murdoch, she has often been the subject of speculation and investigation about her role in his empire, but she has steadfastly refused to comment.

In this case, when their broker, Deborah Grubman of the Corcoran Group, suggested they talk to The New York Times about their apartment, they agreed. But if the couple obtained the publicity they desired in their joint interview, they also wound up giving a rare glimpse into the married life of one of the world's richest and most powerful couples at a time when the wranglings of the Murdoch family have been well-nigh Shakespearean.

In recent months, the clan - including Mr. Murdoch's second wife, Anna Murdoch Mann - has been in a tug-of-war over whether Grace and Chloe, the young children of Ms. Deng and Mr. Murdoch, will have a say and an equal share in the family trust that controls the News Corporation.

Ms. Deng declined to comment on discussions about the trust and her children's role in it; instead she focused on how sad she was to be moving them from SoHo. "I love downtown," she said. "It is casual and my children have all kinds of friends here."

Mr. Murdoch said he definitely had no interest in holding onto the SoHo apartment, despite the fact that Ms. Deng is clearly fond of it.

"We are trying to simplify our life," Ms. Deng said. Of course, these are people for whom simplification means going from seven homes to six. The others are in Los Angeles; London; Canberra, Australia; Carmel, Calif.; and Centre Island, N.Y. They are also considering buying property near Beijing.

Over the course of two hours on a recent afternoon that threatened, but never quite delivered, rain, the couple took this reporter on a tour of their lavishly renovated home.

Throughout the afternoon, Mr. Murdoch repeatedly dipped out of the interview to take several calls on one of the apartment's 20 telephones. When he returned from a call, Ms. Deng would urge him, "Rupert, you talk," but then quickly jump in to finish his sentences.

Ms. Deng said they had spared no expense on renovating the apartment, in fact spending more on the upgrades than they did on the apartment itself, a 9,300-square-foot space that had been cobbled together on the top three floors of a former candy factory in a landmark building. "I didn't know what I was doing," said Ms. Deng, who grew up as the daughter of a factory manager in Guangdong, a province in southern China, where, she said, "we don't have interior design."

It seems she was a quick study. Or at least she figured out how to hire the right people. The couple, who lived in the Mercer Hotel a few blocks from their apartment for a few months before and immediately after they were married in 1999, chose Christian Liaigre, the French decorator responsible for the hotel's interiors. "We just thought we want something like that style, but better," Ms. Deng said.

She showed off the apartment's Australian walnut doors, the sleek custom-designed furniture by Mr. Liaigre, a fully-outfitted gym and a large screening room with a 35-millimeter projector.
"Everything was expensively done because we thought we would be here forever," said Ms. Deng, who noted the renovation took two and a half years. "We were never looking for an apartment until the Rockefeller apartment came on the market."

They had ripped out walls to create a grand living and dining room, installed bathtubs and sinks carved from single slabs of Italian Carrara marble, and overhauled all the plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems. In the living room, Mr. Liaigre designed low-lying bookcases to leave large expanses of white wall space where Mr. Murdoch could hang his prized collection of Australian art, including paintings by his favorite painter, Fred Williams.

On the roof, a 2,700-square-foot split-level deck features an enclosed sunroom where Mr. Murdoch reads the Sunday papers, an old water tower (they had wanted to turn it into a meditation room, Ms. Deng said, but ended up using it as a storage place for stacks of light bulbs and Prada outdoor cushions) and views of the Empire State Building on one side and downtown on the other.

Ms. Deng said that Russell Crowe had attended a barbecue on the roof, while Mr. Murdoch noted that Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, and Gordon Brown, the British chancellor of the exchequer, had had dinner at the custom-designed table set for 14 downstairs. Ms. Deng said the actor Hugh Jackman's children often came over for play dates with the Murdochs' preschool age daughters.

Mr. Murdoch said that the couple paid about $7.4 million for the top two floors of the apartment in 1999. As he started to talk about the price paid for the other floor, which was purchased in a complicated swap deal with a downstairs neighbor, Ms. Deng waved at him to stop talking. Mr. Murdoch declined to say just how much the couple spent overhauling the apartment. All he would say was: "Too much."

The budget even included the hiring of a feng shui master from London, Ms. Deng said. "It doesn't hurt," she said. "It's like chicken soup." She said the master had advised the couple to move the stove, which was directly under the spot where they wanted to put their bed.
Despite their considerable investment, Mr. Murdoch said he was not concerned about the softening real estate market. Sitting at a black teakwood table on the roof deck, he shrugged off recent reports of falling prices and rising inventories of properties for sale, including one in his own paper, which proclaimed: "the picture ain't pretty, especially at the top end of the market."
"We're not in a hurry," Mr. Murdoch said.

He could be in for a long wait. Three brokers who asked not to be named, because they did not want to appear to say anything negative about a competitor's listing, said they thought the $28 million price tag seemed high for a downtown apartment with a manually operated elevator and no doorman.

With characteristic broker brio, Ms. Grubman of Corcoran, who sold the Versace mansion on East 64th Street for $30 million in August, said there was no comparable apartment to the Murdochs' downtown loft. "There has never been anything available in SoHo ever with this kind of square feet that wasn't developer's finishes, and these are all incredible custom finishes," Ms. Grubman said.

Mr. Murdoch has had experience with the difficulties of selling property. Shortly after his divorce from Anna Murdoch Mann, his second wife and the mother of three of his six children, Mr. Murdoch tried to sell his ranch in Carmel and a house in Los Angeles. But when he received no offers for the ranch after six months, he said, he pulled it off the market. As for the Los Angeles home, he said, "I couldn't bring myself to sell the house."

In Manhattan, though, Mr. Murdoch is determined to sell. "We don't need two apartments," he said.

In some respects, the couple is trading Ms. Deng's dream house for Mr. Murdoch's.
Mr. Murdoch has had his eye on the Rockefeller apartment for three decades. Back in the 1970's and early 80's, he lived in the same building at 834 Fifth Avenue in a duplex for which he paid $350,000. At the time, Mr. Rockefeller was chairman of the co-op board, and Mr. Murdoch attended a few shareholder meetings in the penthouse. "I said if I could ever afford this I would love it," he said. Ms. Deng added, "It was your American dream."

The move back uptown reverses a decision Mr. Murdoch made just six years ago to move to SoHo, in part, he said, because both his sons, James and Lachlan, lived in the neighborhood then. (Of course, a young wife with modern tastes probably didn't hurt, either.)

But James is in London now, where he is chief executive of British Sky Broadcasting, the satellite company that is 37 percent owned by the News Corporation, and Lachlan, until recently the heir apparent, left the News Corporation in a headline-making break with his father and has returned to Australia. Their sister, Elisabeth, 37, and half-sister, Prudence, 47, Mr. Murdoch's daughter by his first wife, live in London and Sydney respectively.

"All my children are spread around the world," Mr. Murdoch said ruefully.
Ms. Deng quickly interjected: "But he travels a lot. In November in Australia he'll see everybody."

She said, however, that she would not accompany him on that trip. "I'm too old and tired to travel," she said, mischievously referring to their 38-year age difference.
The couple have only just started to consider how they will decorate the uptown apartment, but they have again hired Mr. Liaigre. In a telephone interview from Paris, Mr. Liaigre said the interiors for the Rockefeller apartment would be in "more of an uptown spirit - more sophisticated" than the SoHo triplex. He said he was thinking of oak floors "like Versailles" and gold finishes on the walls. "There is a lot of Art Deco inspiration," he said.

But he figured the renovation of the 8,000-square-foot apartment on Fifth Avenue would not take as long as the one downtown. "Mr. Murdoch is in a hurry," Mr. Liaigre said.
The Rockefeller apartment is smaller than the SoHo loft, and Ms. Deng said it would not accommodate either a gym or a screening room. Grace and Chloe would share a room uptown as they do in SoHo, and will have a separate playroom.

When asked about news media coverage of the Murdoch family's recent upheaval or her role in it, Ms. Deng demurred. But, she acknowledged, "because I don't give interviews, I don't have a voice."

"What can you do," she added, throwing up her hands. "We have a pretty good life."
Copyright 2005 The New York Times Company

Good link for decorating ideas.

2005-10-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

We receive a lot of requests for resources that offer unique and creative decorating ideas for lofts.

Here is one of our favourites.

Thanks for stopping by,

The Bloggers of the Network Lofts

Design. Style. Comfort.

2005-10-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

Hello and Welcome!

We were thrilled (tickled, actually) to receive emails about our interview with Tara Lee, the talented interior designer who has created the model suites, as well as the common and public areas of Network Lofts. With her trained and professional eye, Tara has created an envelope of timeless design starting with the lobby.

It will be fun for the blog team to meet people who have emailed us when the presentation and welcoming centre opens this month.

If you want to take a tour of another loft designed by Tara Lee, surf this:

http://www.alterra.com/corelofts/index.html

Be warned: the images in the link above might whet your appetite for lofts.

Thanks for stopping by-

The Network Lofts Bloggers
Post by Taylor

Latte Klatsch

2005-10-12T15:34:00.000-07:00

Hello Bloggers-

We received a few emails that we want to respond to here on the blog.

The first (hello Karen, again) was an inquiry about the model suites; we do have an update.

The model suites are *this* close to completion. They are also a beehive of activity, so accessing them for photos, questions and information does pose a bit of a problem: we don't want to interrupt the work being done. We have asked for a guided tour to take new pictures for the blog, and our appointment is early this coming week. Stay tuned.

Another correspondent sent in an email after driving by Network Lofts. He wanted to know what the "activity" was near the top floors. (Commuters cannot miss the extensive rejuvenation work taking place on the 11th floor--the plastic shielding and so on is extensive. The activity is the installation of new, energy-smart floor-to-ceiling windows. The location visible is the actual location of the model suites.

We have also had one request for a picture of the fall colours from the leafy neighbourhood surrounding the building. We will take this "custom order" this week.

Thanks for sending us an email, and keep 'em coming!

Have a wonderful weekend-

The team from the Network Lofts Blog

Blogging around town.

2005-10-11T14:12:00.000-07:00

If you have been considering purchasing yourself a loft (an idea we support, wholeheartedly) you might have "lofts on the mind" so we decided to provide more brainfood.

Looking for some ideas about lofts in other cities?

How about London?

Surf this:

www.trading-spaces.co.uk/lofts_london749-over.htm

Have fun,
Mike

Loft team news

2005-10-10T13:01:00.000-07:00

Hello Bloggistes-.

Everyone here at the Network Lofts blog collectively hopes that our readers had a wonderful Thanksgiving. (Note to drop-ins from outside Canada: We celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October. That's just us.)

There have been some changes at the blog that I am looking forward to telling you about. The first has to do with a hero here at the blog, Dan the Intern.

Dan got accepted into law school AND he landed a job at a law firm all in the same week. (We urgently sent him out to buy a lottery ticket for the team... we're still waiting.) Dan set a high standard and we will miss him; good luck Dan. (What we won't miss, however, is his coffee.)

We feel passionate about communicating our enthusiasm for Network Lofts. We have all learned a great deal through our involvement with the development of our loft profject. We have met neighbours, business owners, professionals, dogs, children, practitioners and the list goes on.

The new blog team is composed of Taylor (Taylor is a Ms.) and Mike (Mike is a Mr.) and me, Dennis.

Taylor and Mike will be making the updates to the blog, and responding to the inquiries we receive.

Have a great week-.

Dennis & the Network Lofts blog.

Furniture and Design

2005-10-04T14:51:00.000-07:00

While the model suites are nearing completion (yes, we are excited about that) we asked our designer and decorating maven, Tara Lee, to share some thoughts about smart ideas for loft living.

Updated pictures of the model suites are planned; stay tuned. We made an attempt to pry some details about the design of the suites from Tara, but her response was "you'll just have to wait and see."

Here is a note from Tara:

Decorating a loft provides a number of options to homeowners who want to enjoy the spirit of flexible living space that only lofts can provide.

Dedicated space for specific purposes (a bedroom, say, or a cozy eating space) are always possible and, frankly, required. But a loft enables you to do so much more with the space you have, capitalizing on the unique spaces and features hard-lofts offer.

Floor to ceiling windows and abundant natural light both conspire to encourage us to maximize a view, and take advantage of the pleasure a comfortable reading chair offers when paired with a view. Loft elements such as concrete columns and very high ceiling heights--which often define the loft experience--introduce a sense of "today" while creating a sense of timeless elegance, with a modern twist. Columns are classic architectural structures, made modern by their concrete composition. I love how the columns have been included in each suite at Network Lofts.

I must confess to one weakness: I love to use furniture that doubles up the possibilities. The expanse of a loft (the light, ceilings, floors and sense of openness) makes such combinations and mixtures seem simple.

A large ottoman, for example, provides extra seating that is both trendy and moveable, and can easily be used as a sofa table when topped with a tray. (Hint: Use a tray that you already have, or source one for your loft. The tray will also come in handy when the ottoman is pressed into service for seating!) Silver plate, woods such as bamboo or natural products such as wicker are all options for a tray to crown your ottoman. You won't feel guilty, either, about putting your feet up on your ottoman while relaxing.

Best wishes from the team at the Network Lofts Blog

Colour

2005-10-03T17:33:00.000-07:00

We were grateful for the kind words we had from les bloggistes about the design links we offered last update.

We asked Tara Lee, the interior designer behind Network Lofts, about a common design element: colour.

Tara sent us a note, which is reproduced here-.

Colour and your loft:

Colour is a fantastic decorating tool that offers a number of great ways to add punch to your living space. Consider this: you can change a room in a flash by changing the colour.

Colour adds mood, style, effect and personality to a room. We all know that certain colours are calming and relaxing (think pale pinks and light neutrals) while others are energetic and exciting (reds and bright oranges).

Regardless of the palette (because I like all colours depending upon the circumstances) I love to see personal touches of colour in any home that I visit.

Colour isn't just found on the walls; it comes alive in accent pieces, curtains, rugs and carpets, art work, and slipcovers.

Colour in a bedroom might be a tailored headboard (Hint: check out the model suites) and matching duvet cover, cushions and bed frame.

You can change the tone of your washroom by adding towels and accents in punchy colours.

Rooms that are based on a netural palette allow for a shot of colour to add a stylish note of design to a room. A secondary palette of similar colours (reds and oranges, or other well-matched mixes) adds unity, style, and comfort to a room.

Find yourself undecided on what colour to work with? Here's a smart tip: Look for a colour that appears often in your wardrobe.

---

Thanks for stopping by, and keep those emails coming!

Regards,
The Bloggers at Network Lofts

networklofts.com

Lofty Links

2005-09-30T13:05:00.000-07:00

Hello all. Today's update is sort of a follow up to the Q & A session with Netowork Loft's designer Tara Lee. Tara gave us a great start in considering what to do with a new loft living space but, because lofts offer such incredible potential to create grand and unique interiors, a little of your own research into loft design doesn't hurt. I came across two great web pages that examine loft living and offer cool tips on how to customize your loft, optimize its space, and just plain make it look spectacular. The first link, although found on a site targeted to us guys, offers insight into loft living that will appeal to both sexes (I made sure of this by showing it to a couple lady friends of mine). The second link will take you to a section of The Better Home and Gardens website, which is devoted to loft living. On this page you will find slide shows, loft video tours and advice on how lofts can be ideally designed to compliment the particular lifestyles and professions of their dwellers. Enjoy! (And stay blogged for the big announcement regarding the date and time of Network's upcoming exclusive preview event!)

http://www.askmen.com/fashion/trends_100/106b_fashion_men.html

http://www.bhg.com/bhg/category.jhtml?categoryid=/templatedata/bhg/category/data/Decorating_Rooms_Lofts.xml
(I apologize on behalf of the large, annoying pop up that seems to accompany this page, the 'close' button should be on the bottom right of the ad.)

Dan the Intern

Interior Design Q&A: Network Lofts

2005-09-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Network Lofts blog!

Recently we posed some questions to Tara Lee, who is the interior designer behind the Network Lofts.

Tara is designing the model suites (more to come on those later) and the public spaces of the building. Things are really starting to shape up now, and the ulitmate look and feel of our loft building is starting to take shape. It is an exciting time, with fun changes noticable every day.

Tara took some time from her hectic schedule to talk to me about some common design questions, and respond to some of the questions we recreived from the blogosphere.

+++++

Five Fast Design Tips from the Network Lofts

Question: How do I maximize the natural light in my new loft?

Answer: The condominiums at Network Lofts are designed with floor-to-ceiling windows, so natural light is sure to be a popular feature among buyers. There are a number of ways in which to make the most out of a light-filled loft.

A lot depends on the palette of colours you have selected, as well as finishes, window coverings, artificial lighting and even furniture placement.

Certain colours serve to tone down natural lighting, while other colours may seem to subtly shift hue depending upon the time of day and the intensity of the light. We'll be posting some tips at a later update.

We are downsizing from our 4 bedroom house to a 2 bedroom + den loft. How do we decide what to take with us, and what we should/could replace?

Downsizing means making some decisions about how you will live in your new loft. I work with my clients to learn how they actually live, and what needs they will have in their newly designed living space. Without knowing you it is difficult to answer your question. Your new loft space, however, provides space for a number of options.

Your second bedroom can be used as a den, media room, guest room, office, library or whatever else fits your lifestyle. What I recommend you do is sit down and write out how you want to live in your new home. Do you require a dedicated spare room, or will a pullout sofa suffice for overnight visitors? Will your den be a place for a home office, or a television? Do you want to have a dedicated space for electronic equipment?

When you know how you intend to use your new living space you will also know what you will take to the loft, and what you will replace.

In future updates I’ll be addressing the topic of downsizing. In my experience downsizing from one home to another is a great opportunity to create a new home for you and your partner—one that is tailored to your needs and lifestyle.

+++++

Five Fast Design Questions from the Network Lofts

What is your favourite “space saving” tip/hint? (For example, a friend of mine has an upholstered ottoman in her bedroom that opens to provide lined storage for shoes.)

To tell you the truth, I have a lot of space saving hints! One of my favourites, however, is creating spaces that perform “double duty.” A classic space saving technique is a den that doubles as a guestroom. It doesn’t take too much effort to provide a guest with a sofa bed, space in a closet, and some dedicated drawers in a handy chest. Guests will not only feel welcome, but you will have a room that can be both a private refuge for visitors, as well as a den, office or sitting room for you. You will get more value for your dollar, and increase the use of your loft.

There are a number of creative ways to save space without compromising good design. Closets should be well organized and clutter free—you’ll get more use out of your square footage, and the result is both pleasant to look at, easy to use, and tidy.

Walk-in closets can be turned into well-designed spaces and the range of options available will meet any budget. With the right elements, a walk-in closet can be transformed into a snappy dressing room keeping you organized, clutter free, and on budget.

If you are planning to use an ottoman in your loft—for either seating, or covered with a tray for a cocktail table—it should be designed to open for more storage.

Stay tuned; we’ll add more space saving solutions to the blog.

We like the idea of polished concrete floors because of the look and the authenticity. Can we still have some “traditional” elements in our loft with such a hip, funky floor?

I love the look of a polished concrete floor; the look is contemporary and complements the authentic loft details at Network Lofts. There's no need to cower from introducing a traditional element to your loft because the mix of contemporary flooring with, say, an antique breakfront or other classic piece, looks great. The juxtaposition of old and new seems tailor-made for a loft space.

Loft living is perfect for creating a space where different design elements can peacefully co-exist. The model suites will be ready in the next few weeks; I encourage you to visit them to learn more about the many options available to you.

++++

Thanks for stopping in to check out the blog. We have received requests for more images from the model suites, so this intern will be making that happen soon.

We have also scheduled another interview with Tara for next week. We will try and answer any questions that we receive from readers, but we cannot answer individual emails in person; all responses will be posted on the blog.

Dan the Intern and the blog team

Music and wine in the Kingsway...

2005-09-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

Hello again. This is just a quick update describing my encounters during a Monday afternoon visit to the Kingsway. First, allow me to provide some Dan the Intern trivia facts: I play guitar and my background is Italian. Therefore, the winery and music store nestled within the the Bloor West strip could not go long without my visiting each.

Located on the north side of Bloor West, and a couple of blocks east of Network, is Kaos Music. The minute I noticed the wall of guitars through the window, my antsy fingers took command and guided the rest of me into the store. The staff was friendly and accommodating as they did not have a problem with my 'testing' out five guitars over the hour long browse. Needless to say, I will likely frequent Kaos when in the Kingsway area, as it is a local haven for six string addicts such as myself.

My next stop, five minutes west of Kaos and on the south side of Bloor, was Bacchanal Wines. As I opened the door and stepped into Bacchanal, I was immediately greeted with the smooth aroma, emanating from the wooden casks that hold some of the world's finest reds and whites. After speaking with one of the shop's owners, I decided to return in the near future to pick my poison and bring it home to enjoy. I will let you know how it turns out!

To cap off my Monday afternoon visit to the Kingsway, I took a quick peek at the 11th floor model suites. My eyes welled up as I remembered the early September days when Network's model loft units were merely a giant room of steel frames. The suites are coming along great and are right on schedule for the exclusive preview event set for later this fall. I am hoping to post some updated suite pics soon, so stay blogged!

Dan the Intern

Sunday Evening

2005-09-25T15:54:00.000-07:00

Just a fast update from Dan the Intern:

Recently the blog received an email from someone who asked if the model suites at the presentation centre were actual suites, or special models that were unavailable.

The model suites are, in fact, actual apartments that will be available for sale once they and the Presentation and Welcoming Centre are complete. Located high up on the 11th floor, the model suites are not only showcases for Network Lofts, they are actual lofts that will ultimately be purchased. (Fully decorated, I might add.)

The suites are designed to provide shoppers with ideas about different loft layouts, styles, sizes and design choices. As a result, all of the model suites are unique.

Check back soon for the latest news and updates from Network Lofts. I am hoping to start interviewing some people for the blog this week.

Friday Night Update

2005-09-23T23:55:00.000-07:00

For a long time I have been waiting to post an update about a Friday night in the Network Lofts neighbourhood. It turns out that tonight was the perfect night out.

I arranged to meet some friends at the local "Firkin" pub on Bloor West, just east of Network Lofts. We stayed long enough to say meet some of the people who were there, saying hello to the neighbours.

Having already told about my great meal at Le Petite France (see archives), the plan for tonight was to stroll down Bloor Street, eventually stopping somewhere for supper. We had some time to kill, since we did have a few snacks at the pub.

New friends at the Firkin had already given us some suggestions, but we determined that the steak house supper would be reserved for a celebration. This is the type of restaurant where tradition counts, and where the meals are legendary. (Perhaps a future blog update?)

The weather was terrific tonight, and anyone who is in Toronto reading this blog will agree that this Friday night was a good night for a walk. The group decided that there was something nice about a neighbourhood that boasted its own animal hospital, close to a yoga studio.

We kicked the tires on a new car, browsed in some shops, and picked up a coffee from Starbucks. Exploring your own city is rather fun, actually, and the vibe on Bloor West (between Islington Avenue and Prince Edward Drive is where we were tonight) is worth checking out.

If you want to visit by subway the best route is to exit at Islington Station and walk west. If you are driving there is abundant parking, both on Bloor Street itself and in numerous parking lots located off-street. Most of the parking lots are unobtrusively located behind the shops and offices, so look for the signs. Bike riders also have numerous choices, with a lot of park and greenspace besides broad avenues and interesting side streets.

The neighbourhood is going to be gorgeous when the leaves start to turn (SFX: Gasp) colour. It is truly a leafy enclave located right in the city.

We wanted to try something new for supper so we decided to visit a local restaurant famous for tapas.

Stay tuned for more details.

Oh--. I almost forgot. This coming week the blog is proud to host an interview with the interior designer for Network Lofts. The model suites and the visual design of Network Lofts is a project that takes time, creativity, talent, craftsmanship and vision to accomplish. In the next few days we'll be introducing you to the woman behind the design.

Do you have a question about decorating a loft? We can't answer questions individually (although we would like to) but we will try and post some Q&A with the help of Network Lofts' own designer. Just click on "Send Us an Email" to send us a question and we'll do our best.

Thanks for stopping by the blog!

Dan (the Intern) and Friends

Model suites are looking sweet.

2005-09-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

This is Dan-the-Intern reporting from the Kingsway:

I made a visit to Network Lofts yesterday to take another tour of the ever-changing model suites that are now being built on the 11th floor.

There has been so much progress since my last visit. Each of the three model suites is already framed (note my use of "builder's lingo") and the interior walls are also in place. The kitchens and windows are on the work order, but not until the new floor-to-ceiling windows are installed. This is a painstaking task that involves deconstructing the old windows and then installing the newer, bigger and better windows that will adorn the building.

Fun Facts about Windows:
Windows do more than provide gorgeous views. Windows enable light-filled lofts to inspire us, and they also can be an important part of the energy efficiency of a building. The windows at Network Lofts are also specially designed to act as sound guards, while maximizing the energy efficiency of the entire building.

Many of the questions we receive here at the blog have to do with the model suites. Well, since the model suites are starting to come to life we have arranged an interview with the interior designer responsible for the look and feel of the actual models.

Do you have a question you would like to ask to our designer? Are you considering a move to a loft, but still have a query or two about how to decorate a loft space? Send your question in to us (see the link on our main page) and we will do our best to get it answered.

Until then, keep blogging!

Dan-the-Intern

Big Brave Blog Update

2005-09-17T18:30:00.000-07:00

Hello from the blogsophere

The blog has been hearing from bloggistes with inquiries about floorplans, details and info about the model suites. I haven't been able to get my hands on any actual 411, but I did manage to arrange a Q and A session with Network Lofts' interior designer. There "might" be some more info on the model suites after I speak to the creative spark behind the design.

The "Bloggers-That-Be" thought my restaurant review idea was (and it is) a great idea! So popular was the idea that this particular intern (and accomplice) will be wining, dining, snacking, sipping, tasting and supping our way through the Kingsway neighbourhood.

A quick update about this past week: our "working stroll" through the neighbourhood did involve stopping for a wonderful supper at a restaurant on Bloor Street, a short walk from Network Lofts. Unsure about the netiquette of posting the actual name, I decided to check with HQ before dropping any names. Permission was cheerfully granted, and future posts will have more information about the neighbourhood and the people we meet there.

Accomplice and I had supper at Le Petite France* a short walk (about 2.5 blocks) from Network Lofts. Determined to carry out diligent research we agreed to sample as much from the menu as we could.

True, there is a prix fixe menu offering a tempting selection of bistro-fare, but we had already pledged to live life a la carte for the evening.

Network Lofts

Dining with an Intern

French Onion Soup

Watercress & Endive Salad with Walnut Oil Vinaigrette

Bajun Crab Cakes with
"Aunty May's" Hot Sauce & Mango Salsa
(we shared the crab cakes)

Traditional Steak Frites (Dan-the-Intern)

Braised Chicken with Honey Ginger Sauce (Accomplice)

Home Made Gateau au Chocolat
(we shared this, too)

Decaf Cafe Latte (Accomplice)

Espresso (Dan-the-Intern)

Mindful of being on a budget, we each had one glass of house wine; a red and a white. Red wine was a great mix with my steak-frites, and Accomplice paired the house white with her chicken main course.

The bistro is awesome and the proprietor hails from France, where his love and appreciation for bistro style food and atmosphere started. He makes all the desserts himself, and they are terrific. Judging by the other tables (we looked) the dessert bar takes a hit each night. Nothing bland or ordinary here.

Our next neighbourhood walk is already planned and we have a few other spots to check out. We spent today strolling along Bloor street, with a Starbucks in hand, starting our journey each time from the Network Lofts.

Thanks for stopping by the blog-

Dan-the-Intern

* Le Petite France is located a short stroll west of the Network Lofts, on the south side of Bloor Street West. 416-234-8783

A night out in the neighbourhood.

2005-09-14T21:45:00.000-07:00

Life as an intern has some interesting twists and turns. My tasks include photography--both with a digital camera and a photocopier--as well as writing, editing, making coffee, and--well, the list is growing.

I am learning a lot along the way, and there have been some interesting "perks" to the job.

Just today I was assigned to do some research in the West Kingsway neighbourhood for the blog. The idea was that I would spend the afternoon in the neighbourhood; taking pictures, meeting merchants, dropping in on professional offices--generally getting to know some of the people in West Kingway. I was looking forward to an afternoon of "sleuthing" through the area, and reporting back on the people, places, and things I encountered.

I skillfully managed to turn that task into a "restaurant review" (from the valuable "intern" perspective) and obtain an expense account for the evening.

I called a friend and arranged to meet at the Islington subway station with a plan to grab some coffee t0-go and stroll down Bloor West, and through some of the leafy side streets. We would later stop for supper in one of the restaurants we passed.

Here is the report thus far:

The restaurant was great, the service was both attentive, professional and informative (we learned some things about food and cooking from the chef) and we also enjoyed the wine and conversation.

What we didn't get, I realize now, is permission from the "Bloggers That Be" to mention any names of the places we visited.

Stay tuned...

Dan the Intern--and friend--reporting from West Kingsway

Can we offer you a lift?

2005-09-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

Convenience is one reason--of many--that people list as a reason to move into a condominium home. The abiltiy to "lock and leave" their residence enables people to take weekend or longer trips, without worrying about the responsibility of home maintenance.

Network Lofts will also have a concierge available 24 hours a day to admit visitors, plus accept packages and deliveries.

Another convenient aspect of our loft is the number of elevators that already exist at the building. There are five elevator cars, off of which are being rejuvenated for Network Loft residents.

Elevators Under Rejuvenation

While the elevator cars will be designed to match the style and architecture of Network Lofts, steps are being taken to preserve some of the elements that already exist. Doors and walls are covered and secured from damage, while interior embellishments (buttons, lighting) will be updated and changed.

Dan the Intern,
Reporting from Network Lofts

2005-09-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

Hello, my name is Dan the Intern, and I am the official Digital Photographic Artist for Network Lofts. Layman's terms aside, the title sounds pretty good for a guy who simply takes digital pictures and posts them onto the blog site for all to view as Network's development progresses. I have also enjoyed hearing from people who have stopped by the blog.

My very first visit to the site was earlier this summer, where I toured the neighbourhood, visited shops and restaurants, stopped for lunch with some friends, ending up at Number 2 Fieldway Road for a tour of the Network Lofts under rejuvenation.

My tour began in the lobby, where I saw the remnants of the building's old industrial kitchen, a part of the former cafeteria and social space on the ground floor. I then got to choose, from a total of five elevators, which one I would photograph and then ride up to the 8th, 11th and 12th floors.

It was really cool to see the creation of the model suite and the first stages of construction on the upper floors. Nothing could beat, however, the views of Toronto's skyline that left me with a gaping jaw and trigger-happy camera finger. I felt as though I was looking at a "Toronto Unlimited" poster we might use to tempt our neighbours to the south to come on up and hang out.

The city stretches out in all directions, with showcase stretches of city, lake, trees and more.

The view was spectacular, to say the least. I will be continually adding pictures to the blog site with my commentary.

Stay blogged on for more digi-pic updates!
Dan The Intern

Friday at Network Lofts

2005-09-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

The progress on the model suites is really picking up pace! Designed to be more than a showcase of what the lofts will offer, the model suites at the Network Lofts will be real, true lofts that visitors can not only tour--they can buy them! Our model suites will be available for sale (after completion) and are not just "representations' of the final lofts. They are lofts.

In response to the emails we've had (thanks for asking) we are today taking more"sneaky" images of the model suites as they are being constructed.

Intrepid bloggistes will note that most of the images also show the ceiling heights, classic concrete columns, and some other authentic elements.

Oh, and we have managed to book time with the interior designer for Network Lofts so that we can interview her next week. Stay tuned for more!

The Network Lofts Blog Crew

2 Fieldway Road

2005-09-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

Our loft has a history, and we've been hearing from people who used to work in the building. One correspondent (hello, Karen) emailed to tell us that she commuted to the building via subway, and remarked about her stroll through the park to reach the front door. We thought that Karen would appreciate this image of the front door before it is changed during the rejuvenation of the building.

The Current Front Entrance Before Rejuventation

We also have an image (or three) of the park that is located right next to the building. This is the same greenspace that Karen crossed to get to work. In the near future this is the park that residents will enjoy.

Greenspace on the East Side of Network Lofts

Roof Top View

2005-09-07T09:36:00.000-07:00

The views from the Network Lofts benefit from an interesting streetscape feature of the Fieldway Road address. The street is not *exactly* aligned to the city's grid, but has a gentle difference that sees the street veer slightly to the south. The result is that Network Lofts is positioned to offer gorgeous views--from each individual loft--of two different directions, sweeping arcs that encompass vast tracts of the city skyline, the lake, or the leafy neighbourhoods surrounding the Network Lofts. An authentic feature we are proud of.

Today we thought we would showcase both the talents of our resident digital archivits (Dan The Intern) and the view from the roof. As time goes on we will update the image to show the changing colours of the trees as autumn starts. Stay tuned.

From the Team behind the Blog

CN Tower and City Skyline

Network Lofts "final look" Revealed!

2005-09-06T10:35:00.000-07:00

Oh, we can be a pretty sneaky bunch here at the Network Lofts Blog. We are always looking for a great picture, or a juicy bit of news to post. Just today for instance we found something that will make an interesting update to our blog: an artists' rendering of what the building will look like after it has been completely rejuvenated.

The image was on someone's desk (we aren't telling who) and it looked so fresh and crisp that we thought, "Let's share it with the world!"

We did, however, ask if we could have the drawing--. So here it is.

Network Lofts will be transformed--as this image shows--from its current look today (see previous blogs) to a sleek envelope of glass and steel accented with stucco. The windows will make maximum use of the ultra-high ceiling heights, and the building will truly be reborn.

Images from a Loft

2005-09-06T10:16:00.000-07:00

We have received some emails from people asking if we would provide a little more information (and perhaps a picture or two) of the model suites in development.

We dispatched Dan The Intern to the site and he managed to snap a few digital images of the model suites as they are being created. These are actual lofts that will be available for purchase.

If you want to be kept informed or learn more about Network Lofts, just click here and we'll keep you current.

In the meantime, here is an updated, "spy" image of work on one model suite.

This is a shot down the hallway of Model Suite #1. Note the high ceiling heights, and the windows in the distance. These windows will be replaced with floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize the long views.

Next Up: We are going to interview the interior designer and learn 5 smart tips for living in a loft. Stay tuned!

The Network Lofts Blog Team

The View from Here

2005-09-02T08:36:00.000-07:00

We assigned the task of updating the digital archive to Dan the Intern. We turned him loose with a digital camera, a hard-hat and a guide with instructions to "have fun" and to return with some real images for the blog.

We have received requests--some from quite far away--for an image of the building as it is now.

The original structure (that you see here) was designed by an architectural firm with an international roster of clients and projects. Build in 1971 for commercial use, the building is now being completely rejuvenated into loft apartments.

The new exterior will be a sleek envelope of steel and glass, accented by stucco. The new windows will be floor to ceiling, to capture the magnicient views the stretch out in every direction.

True Loft Features

2005-08-29T10:21:00.000-07:00

We are now deep into the creation of the Model Suites, high up on the 11th floor of Network Lofts. The views--in every direction--are vast and clear.

Authentic loft features abound in the Model Suites, which will be available for sale, including high ceilings (from 10.5 to 16 feet in height) to the classic concrete columns that actually support the building.

There has been a lot of buzz about the floors so we will soon be posting actual images of the concrete floors. They are not polished--yet--but they are beautiful. We will take some pictures to post on the blog so that everyone can see the floors before, during, and after the building is rejuvenated.

Of course, we still have to talk about the windows!

Stay tuned, because this blog is real and updated all the time.

Sneak Peek

2005-08-24T10:55:00.000-07:00

The Presentation and Welcoming Centre is now fully under construction. We want to showcase some of the great features you will find at the Network Lofts, so our model suites will be located 11 storeys above the city. Real views for real lofts.

Building the Presentation and Welcoming Centre on a high floor provides visitors with the opportunity to not only see more of the building, but to check out the elevators, ceilings, and hallways of the building.

Interesting Tidbit: Network Lofts will be over-serviced with elevators. There are five elevators serving the building and one is dedicated for the Penthouse Floor. More elevators means less time waiting.

Network Lofts in the West Kingsway

2005-08-24T08:55:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our blog! Thanks for checking out the Network Lofts in the fashionable West Kingsway neighbourhood of Toronto. Our building is a one-of-a-kind loft that is being crafted from an existing industrial building overlooking the beautiful skyline of Toronto, with panaromic views of Lake Ontario.