The Jackson's Home at Orpheum Lofts

A Jackson high-five for loft lifestyle
No regrets for suburbanites who relocated downtown
Susan Felt, The Arizona Republic Jul. 1, 2006 12:00 AM
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There's something about walking into the lobby of the downtown Phoenix Orpheum Lofts. The black-and-white tiled floor. The Art Deco details. Polished black-marble walls. The valet parking. The doorman who dials the homeowner to announce a guest's arrival. The elevator ride. It's the chance to invest in the city's fledgling urban culture and help build it that attracted Verdeen and Bill Jackson. Besides, her grandchildren love to push the elevator buttons.

The Jacksons bought two units in the historic 1931 brick building remodeled in 2005 into loft condos. The 2,300-square-foot unit includes an open dining, kitchen, living-room area and a guest room, master bedroom, two baths and an office for Verdeen, who works for Arizona Wholesale Supply Co. selling high-end kitchen appliances.

The Jacksons wanted a hip, modern feel that leans more toward Pottery Barn warmth and sophistication than cold contemporary. Verdeen chose chocolate leather for a seating of four comfortable armchairs and wide-planked, hand-scraped hickory for the floors. Exposed brick walls, a bank of high double-sash windows and exposed vents and pipes overhead create an authentic loft look.

The Jacksons chose concrete for the kitchen countertops and a large angled island that separates the kitchen from the dining and living- room areas. Verdeen chose putty for the interior walls and raisin, apple-green and rich-red accent colors, along with polished stainless steel.

Galvanized, louvered doors artistically hide storage closets and a pantry off the hallway that leads from the front door into the living area. Verdeen uses frosted glass in sections of this hallway to capture light and add a serene Asian sense to the loft's feel.

The move from suburban to urban meant buying all new furniture, Verdeen says." Size really matters," she says, noting that the choice of four armchairs in the living room, rather than a sectional, not only adds to the sense of spaciousness, but also creates flexibility." We could have 20 people over watching a game," she says. Additional seating comes from the leather dining-room chairs and ottomans that are easily moved into additional seating groups.

This loft works for the urban couple, their children and grandchildren and any number of neighbors who want to drop by for an impromptu dinner of ziti and wine.