Native Chattanoogan Rob Gentry moved back to Chattanooga in 1987 after attending school and working in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. After renting for several years, he decided he wanted to own his own home. After considering several options, he was drawn to an older building on the Southside that contained five units, as well as a business. He liked the locale because of its proximity to downtown.
Gentry knew he wanted an “architecturally stimulating” space that would be perfect for entertaining. He says he found the perfect match of location and space in this Southside loft, which he bought five years ago.
Because the space was unfinished, he was able to completely design and layout the loft space to accommodate his taste and lifestyle. To help with the transformation from empty space to livable loft, he called upon Roddy Creedon of Allied Architecture + Design in San Francisco to design his newly acquired loft. Their collaboration resulted in a spectacular loft that incorporates visually stimulating architectural elements that give a “tight, but spacious” feel.
A close but open feel is immediately evident upon entering the third-floor loft. From the front door, a large shelving unit with decorative vases and books functions as a wall between the foyer and the dining area. In the dining, living, and kitchen areas, partial walls that rise up from the floor and extend from the ceiling appear as geometric forms that are not only aesthetic focal points but also serve a functional role by dividing living spaces without the use of doors and walls.
Other than the front door, closet doors and doors leading to an outside deck, the only other doors in the loft lead to the two bedrooms and bathroom. The sliding and pocket closet doors are designed to make the most efficient use of space.
Gentry was also able to incorporate some eco-friendly elements into the design. For instance, sliding doors just off the dining area on the main level were made from wood recycled from the original roof on the building.
Along with the partial walls, the steel beams above the main living space crisscross at intersecting angles, adding additional geometric interest. Functionally, the beams provide support for the second level. Aesthetically, the beams form angled shapes in contrast to the straight lines of the partial walls.
Plywood floors, which are painted black, are used throughout the main level and add another sleek aesthetic to the loft, balancing the beams above. Underneath the rough-hewn dining table, a section of the floor is stained rather than painted, creating a golden-colored “rug” that pops out against the black floor.
Three large bulbous-shaped globes hang suspended from the two-story ceiling over the sitting area in the living room, which is furnished with leather sectional sofas, a large coffee table and a color block rug. An antique desk sits behind the sofas and complements the contemporary furnishings in the living room. The sofas are grouped in front of two massive sliding doors that open to a deck, which is complete with a wooden bar and chairs. The deck is one of Gentry’s favorite areas for entertaining because guests can sit and enjoy views of Lookout Mountain and the Southside.
The sliding doors that lead to the deck are frosted on the lower half, allowing light into the living area, while at the same time providing privacy without the use of draperies or curtains. The sliding doors, as well as aluminum storefront windows above and on either side of the doors, were cut out of the original solid wall. Cutting the windows and doors from the wall provided a room with a view and a major focal point in the loft, as well.
The kitchen, outfitted with IKEA cabinets, faces the living area and is just as sleek and industrial as the living area. A large stainless steel island separates the living area from the kitchen and houses a raised bar area with Italian laminate countertops, an industrial gas range, warming oven, gas stove, and storage shelves. Hanging over the island is a curved glass fixture with both a fan and light.
Behind the island and along the wall is a long expanse of stainless steel countertops, above which hang cabinets with frosted-glass doors. A stainless steel roll-top hides a storage area used for glasses and other utensils. At one end of the galley-shaped kitchen is a wine cooler and niche, which houses a glass-topped wine stand and table. At the other end of the kitchen, just off the dining area, is a large pantry that has shelves and pull-out rubber drawers for storage.
Tucked away in one corner on the main level is an office/study space. Italian laminate covers partial walls that are decorated with colored vases and other glass art pieces. The area has a built-in desk space, as well as a small sitting area with a TV and two black leather chairs.
A guest bedroom and bath are also located on the main level, just to the right of the front door. The bedroom is minimalist, but functional, with a futon platform bed, chair and painted concrete cinder block walls.
To balance the industrial architectural elements on the main level, Gentry had the walls and ceiling painted in muted earth tone colors of greens, terracotta, and grays. Color block area rugs are interspersed to add color and softness to the floors.
Color also pops in the loft in the form of glass vases, which Gentry collects in various shapes, sizes, and colors. His collection is displayed on stands, in niches and on shelving throughout the loft. Gentry also collects bonsai plants, which add warmth and an Oriental touch to his home.
The artwork used throughout the loft is a mix of traditional and contemporary. Pictures as varied as abstract paintings, colorful flowers and Asian-inspired art provide visual diversity and color throughout the loft. This is most evident in the upstairs hallway where there are three black and white photographs of Gentry’s grandfather, which his grandfather took of himself in different outdoor settings. The pictures have an Ansel Adams quality to them, which it turns out is not that surprising because his grandfather knew Ansel Adams.
Light maple wood was used for the stairwell, which leads from the main downstairs living area to an upstairs landing. From the landing, a frosted glass “catwalk” leads to the master bedroom. A futon platform bed and built-in cabinets make efficient use of space and provide the “tight, but spacious” feel that Gentry hoped to achieve. Also making efficient use of space, Italian laminate-covered double closet doors open with only a slight push. To the right, leading from the bedroom to the master bath is a niche with an Asian-inspired teak chair that is visible looking up through the open beams from the living area below.
The master bath is outfitted with a cork floor and bright blue Corian countertops with double white porcelain vessel sinks. On either side of both sinks are mirrored medicine cabinets attached to the wall, which rotate to access the storage shelves behind. The bath has a mini tiled shower and raised soaking tub with a step for access. A skylight between the vanities and shower provides a source of natural light.
A second stairway from the second level leads up to rooftop access and is constructed to allow partial views of the main level below. The first half of the stair treads has no riser plates, while the second half does have the risers. The right side has a solid piece of glass rather than a handrail, which allows for views of the main level. To the left of the stairway is a closed wall with a handrail. At the top, the stairway door opens to sweeping views of Lookout Mountain, the rooftops of the Southside and downtown. Gentry has plans to eventually add a third-level living space, which is an indication of his commitment to downtown living.
He says he has been pleasantly surprised by the community feel in the neighborhood around his loft; he knows many people who live in the neighborhood and frequently stops to chat with neighbors on the street. He also enjoys living close to downtown and all the galleries, boutiques, and restaurants within the city - the mixture of residential, retail and commercial establishments has been a great match.
Gentry’s commitment to downtown extends beyond where he lives to his restaurant, The Blue Plate, which he opened in 2006. There are similarities in the design of both the loft and restaurant. In both spaces he has successfully juxtaposed a streamlined, modern aesthetic with comfortable living and dining. You could call it comfort food and comfortable living with a 21st century twist.