Level Up!
Attic treasures often conjure up thoughts of family heirlooms or secret hideaways. In the case of one family and their city home in Buffalo, New York, treasure was found in the form of space. Instead of stretching their home’s footprint to expand it, they looked inward and upward. What they got from their cavernous, old attic was an exciting new living area that raised their already gorgeous home to a new level.
Design Resources
Practically Fun
Although graced with tall ceilings and large windows, the 1,000-square-foot space was completely unfinished, making it a blank slate for the homeowners’ wish list. That list was long. They wanted a play area for their two young children that could adapt as their children grew. A guest room was paramount, as was an office space. At the recommendation of owner and interior designer of West End Interiors, Raelyn Capozzi, they added a wet bar. Doing so eliminated the need to run up or down three flights of stairs to the kitchen for drinks or snacks.
This seemingly disparate collection of needs worked collectively to provide an extremely practical use of space. Moreover, because it was in the attic, the homeowners were comfortable following Capozzi’s recommendations for creative pops of fun in the design.
The Basics
Aesthetics and functionality flow with the attic’s new floor plan. Stairs bring you up to an open, central area for relaxing, playing, reading, or watching television. A custom, wrought iron railing lets the entrance remain open for a loft-like feeling, while providing a safety feature. The stairwell is closed off with a gate that can be removed as the children grow older. From the central space, the office is to the left through a short corridor doubling as the wet bar. The guest room is on the right.
Coziness Calls
The attic space did come with two remarkable, architectural features: a turret and a chimney. Recognizing an opportunistic visual anchor, Capozzi made sure the turret was centered to the stairs as you walk up.
“It (the turret) beckoned to be a lounge space,” Capozzi says. “It’s clever and unexpected.”
Capozzi used a walnut wood ceiling to further emphasize the turret’s unusual shape. Rather than hauling furniture in (and up), custom, built-in features give the turret portion a massive window seat that rivals a king-sized bed. Snuggled in on one side is a walnut bookshelf niche. Overhead, a glass lantern chandelier adds an old-timey touch.
The chimney’s natural red brick is a visual and textural anchor for the television and additional shelves. Both the brick and the turret space effectively break up what could have been an overload of white drywall. Skylights brighten the area with natural light.
Details that Smile
Throughout the attic, unconventional splashes of fun reveal themselves. All trim is painted a cheery bright yellow. This happy color also covers the bedroom door.
The back office wall covering is a mural design rather than a standard pattern. Cut from a single piece, the watercolor technique creates a grassy green and teal blend in an organic form. The office’s glass door is another smart detail. The homeowner can keep an eye on the children while working.
With its higher level of design this attic is filled with the best kind of treasure: happy little gems that giggle, cuddle, and bring a family together.