Yet, few years down the line, the couple was on the hunt for an apartment in New York, and Grace was their first call. The loft that they had found in Brooklyn seemed to possess so many possibilities, and the two Johannesburgers immediately involved Grace’s firm, Tidal Design Studio, in converting the space into a warm refuge-from the overwhelming vision of peace and warmth which the desert inspires. It was a 3,000-square-foot loft, which would combine Grace’s love for minimalist design and the anchoring aesthetics of the desert landscape to create an environment.
A Dream Loft in Brooklyn: Melding Desert Warmth with Urban Charm
Grace hails from Arizona and studied interior design at the University of Southern California before sharpening her craft in such well-known offices across Los Angeles and New York. Being based in LA for most of the job, though, presented some distinct challenge and then incredible benefit for Grace’s work in remote design. “Being away from the site allowed me to focus on sourcing materials and carefully curating pieces without the pressure of day-to-day construction,” she says. “I spent a lot of time looking for vintage items, especially during my visits to desert fairs and antique markets in Arizona.”
The design of the loft was primarily conceived to create for that couple a sort of oasis of peace and simplicity-from free, wide-open desert spaces-often absent in their busy life in New York City. It was visualized as a space where every detail had a meaning and a texture, where natural materials were harmonized within soft neutral hues. The chief aim was to achieve a balance between modern design and raw beauty of the desert landscape-while being involved, at the same time, in the vibrancy of the city.
A Sanctuary of Calm and Thoughtful Design
That totally serene feeling is an adornment used to describe the loft. Grace used a composition of warm neutrals on the base, with soft beiges, hues of desert stone, and rather muted terracotta to make the magic happen. Piled on on top were rich textures using very tactile materials—smooth plaster on the walls, natural wood for the millwork, and polished stone for the floors. The idea was to bring desert retreat vibes while celebrating Brooklyn’s urban energy.
Open communal spaces designed into this loft encourage a gathering ambience and celebration of life. The great room, with its generous size, is composed of an open plan living area containing a minimalist kitchen layered with marble backsplash and warm cabinetry. Grace’s stamp is everywhere, from the curated vintage furniture selection to the artisanal ceramics, displayed on a shelf or two. “Everything we brought in had a story or history attached to it,” she states. “It’s a conversation between past and present, raw materials and sophisticated design.”
The primary suite lies behind the loft, keeping a safe distance from the busy street. That might just be the epitome of a retreat. Linen-in-sand-your-mute-colors leach off comfort here, alongside wool rugs and handwoven blankets adding textural interest. The room was conceived with Grace’s attitude from her experience with high-end boutique hotels, where every design aspect is communicated through relaxing and refreshing vibes. The suite features an open bathroom with a natural stone floor and a freestanding tub designed to give an almost spa-like experience in the room itself! “It’s all about evoking a sense of calm and allowing people to slow down,” says Grace. “The suite has an almost meditative quality.”
A Long Distance Affair
Based in Los Angeles, Grace had no equal in execution and detail in all aspects of this project. She personally chose each linen, selected each piece of art, and worked to pair all textures in the space. From the throw pillows’ fabric to every one carefully chosen book in the home-all these were chosen with care and thought.
“The design process was a bit unusual since I wasn’t present for most of the construction, but in a way that distance allowed me to really contemplate the pieces and the space as a whole,” shares Grace. “It made me force a zoom-out view of the whole design concept, rather than being lost in individual details.” This meticulous process produced a stunningly coherent and serene space where every single object contributes to the calm atmosphere.
With that much careful planning, Grace’s way of interior design still needed flexibility. “The architecture itself is clean and modern, and I felt it really depended on some pieces that told a story,” Grace explains. “Vintage furniture, found objects, and textiles all add layers of warmth and history to soften the modern edges of the loft.” The interplay of materials and textures create a residentially urban space, meaning it has a feel of the city and, at the same time, being grounded in nature.
Creating a Home That Feels Alive
In the design vernacular, a successful space is often termed “alive.” In this Brooklyn loft, that really manifests itself in how the spaces interact, how natural light filters through the windows, and how the work of art and furniture come together in story. A sculptural ceramic vase in the living room paired with an abstract painting above the dining table echoes the same organic shapes as the ones outside from surrounding deserts. Even in the nursery, where children would be supposed to have peace and quiet, there is a subtle mural on the walls that mirrors colors and textures derived from the desert landscape outside the city.
“The home feels alive because of the stories told around the objects and materials,” says Grace. “It’s not just a space to live; it’s a space to feel.”
The Stale Charm that Stirs Among Thoughtful Homes
From vintage pieces to the choice of raw material by which it is built: this Brooklyn loft defines touches of desert life in an urban center. It’s really a testimony of how thoughtful design can achieve even the most minuscule gestures-little things like having a painted watercolor card-and turn it into something much more powerful.
And so, for the couple, home indeed turns out to be their haven: somewhere that mirrors what they have been through together, a place where relaxation can be enjoyed and inspiration found, melding the idea of stark desert beauty and the energy of being in the city. And for Grace, this is more than just a project; it’s the intricate outcome of a very long time friendship and collaboration, which she has using to push her own design definitions and create a space that is all her own.
This loft has a story in every corner, with every object adding texture, and every space inviting one to relax. Beyond being a home, it is an all-enduring, living, and breathing testament to the art of design, raised with care, passions, and eyes for detail.