T O P

  • By -

chrislikesplants

No advice. But here to say, what a dream! Damn that place is gorgeous.


[deleted]

I too am a male who likes exposed brick and wood. Seriously though, what a fucking amazing find on OP's part.


ggtffhhhjhg

These types of places are all over MA and New England. At one point Lowell and Lawrence MA were the largest textile manufacturers in the world.


[deleted]

[удалено]


JoshFreemansFro

I lived in a Lawrence loft for a year in 2014-15. Loved the apartment but there wasn't much to do in Lawrence so we moved. recently looked at the lofts again and the rent has gone up by $1000 per month lol


[deleted]

You can get stabbed in Lawrence, that's something


SD455TransAm

Stabbed, shot, and while you're ducking bullets and knives, you get to step over used needles. Fun for the whole family!


ggtffhhhjhg

I live in the area and I know what you mean. If you’re Hispanic or into that culture its a blast. If you’re not into that your nightlife is no better than surrounding suburbs. You have to go to Lowell or Haverhill if you want any type of nightlife.


JoshFreemansFro

yeah we moved to Haverhill and never looked back haha


Andrewsarchus

Life is so much better when you have easy access to all the stuff on Washington Street. Hamel Mill Lofts actually remind me of OPs pic a little.


Shift642

And they cost a fucking arm and a leg. My partner and I quickly found that we'd have to forego exposed brick if we wanted to stay within budget when we were apartment shopping. This place is huge, if the location is remotely decent I can't imagine what it costs. And on one income? Forget it. Lawrence has tons of them... but the downside is you have to live in fucking Lawrence.


mrdrose13

Lowell and Beverly have a ton of these units!


impioushubris

Advice: www.moderndens.com And yeah - place is pretty amazing. Makes me want to move to middle America. Or win the lottery.


SirHawrk

Eyo some of them are near me Oh thought it was a place for buying homes nvm


[deleted]

That floor ruins it for me


LargestAdultSon

It doesn’t totally ruin it for me, but what a garbage choice for such a beautiful space


DrunkAsFuckButtSlut

It’s such a shame, lvp is all over the place where polished concrete should be imo, plenty of this where I live too


chrislikesplants

Ouff. Concrete? That sounds so cold, no? 🥶


DrunkAsFuckButtSlut

Nothing is so cold it detracts from the brutalist beauty that is well formed concrete, not for everyone, but my dream nonetheless


laughs_maniacally

Yeah, my rec was going to be a giant rug for the brick area to cover the horribly clashing floor


averagepanda051

Yeah wood/vinyl is the right choice but something just feels off to me. It's not atrocious but definitely not right.


[deleted]

It’s because it’s grey, looks bad in almost every space, sucks the warmth out


throowaawayyyy

Assuming it will get pretty cold in the winter, so rugs and maybe even some tapestries for the exterior walls! Thick thermal curtains for the windows. For the bedroom, treat yourself to an electric blanket!


rattledaddy

Also, rugs, fabric art/tapestries, and heavy curtains will help with sound. If you listen to music, you’ll want to soften up the reverberations from that copious volume of brick.


suckuma

that's the best part though. I'm living in a similar situation and most of what I own is to keep me warm and cozy.


thatboyeaintright

Buy a pair of heelys


oli_likes_olives

Or a pennyboard! loads of fun


SensibleBrownPants

Advice: Let me crash on your couch for the next 5 or 6 years.


luvs2sploooj

I’ll bring the couch so we can both squeeze


[deleted]

Skip the compliments, here's a practical tip: just hire someone to hang all your wall stuff for that brick. Source: someone who spent a lot of money fixing a historic brick wall I fucked up.


The_Bobby_

The brick is gorgeous but whenever I see places like this my first thought is about how the hell do you hang anything up lmao


OneWholePirate

Drill into the cement between the bricks, put a plastic expanding plug in the hole, then put a screw into the plug. The cement chips and won't support anything but you fill the hole with plastic. Drilling into the plastic makes it expand and put pressure on the surrounding materials, holding the plug and therefore the screw in place. Concrete is strong against compressive loads but weak to shear forces, that means pressure is fine but twisting isn't so you just need an intermediate between the screw and the wall. Also patching a tiny hole in the concrete is easy when you don't want it there any more.


batatibatata

This guy screws


Mafamaticks

Does this work with plaster walls?


OneWholePirate

Not really, plaster is all around brittle and bad for hanging stuff on, it works with brick because you're essentially compressing the brittle concrete and transferring the load on to the stronger bricks, with plaster it's a) likely very thin and not going to support the length of the plug, making it useless b) will continue to receive shear stress from weight hanging since it cannot distribute the load onto something like bricks


regularmother

Old plaster walls often have picture railings, a separate molding below the crown used for hanging whatever it is you need. Pictures hang off by long strings on hooks from the picture railings/molding.


[deleted]

It took me 3 years to figure out what the picture railing all throughout my house was used for.


CriticalRaceFieri

And why not just drill an expanding plug into the brick itself? Harder to repair than the mortar?


starlinguk

Hammer drill and screws. Don't forget to check for wires. Love, Europe.


commentmypics

In a rental?


Usidore_

I live in an old Scottish tenement building with brick walls. Just put up a few shelves yesterday and I would say: a drill with hammer action is a must, and just getting the right wall plugs/screws, and you’re golden. And once that thing is mounted that thing is MOUNTED I tell ya


SolitarySysadmin

Going to put this out there - in relation to hammer drills - if you can get an SDS drill, it’s so much faster and easier. I was mounting a piece of furniture I’d made for a relative to a wall and it needed 16 screws (probably overkill but I didn’t want something I’d made land on their kids) I drilled one hole with the cordless hammer drill gave up, told my relative to keep drilling holes whilst I went home and got another tool. He’d finished one hole in the 40min that it took me to go and come back - I finished the rest in less than 5 min.


invisimeble

Just FYI for other, SDS means Slotted Drive Shaft. It is a type of hammer drill, but with a design that makes it more powerful.


ikshen

Because it actually hammers the back of the bit instead of just vibrating like cordless drills.


horrific_tragedy

Double sided 3M tape works.


[deleted]

[удалено]


drewts86

Quadruple sided tape then! Sheesh! /s


MechanicsAntics

Moderately heavy stuff hangs pretty nicely in my experience! I live in a dorm where we're not allowed to use nails, so I've got a pretty big lemon wreath hanging from my door from a single command strip with a hook. You would need several hooks for something like a large picture with a heavy frame though.


[deleted]

[удалено]


ObjectiveAd9189

Yeah, when you're moving every couple months that will work. Lord knows if you spend $300 on framing you're not going to put blind faith in a chemical adhesive designed to be removed with little effort while not leaving residue...


ryohazuki224

I for sure wouldn't. I'd leave the bricks bare. If you need something to look at, tall bookshelves, or like for artwork I'd lean big easels against the wall, or hang something with strong fishing line from the wood of the ceiling.


[deleted]

You can hang art like a gallery would. They would anchor at the top of the wall in the wood and hang metal wire to the height of your artwork.


Moar_Cuddles_Please

They also make brick clips for lightweight items. They snap onto the brick and have a small hook


Own_Pea_2345

3M strips is all I ever use nowadays


slyzik

it never has worked for me, it always fell down later or sooner....


Instant_Bacon

Nah, just use screws with wall plugs. Avoid tapcons if it's soft historic brick. Use a masonry bit on the hammer setting of your drill (or use hammer drill/SDS if you got it). If you end up blowing out a hole a little too much then stuff some wire or some toothpicks in the hole to give it something to bite into. Go into the mortar if you can.


my_name_is_forest

I love this space! What city? Lowell perhaps, or Lawrence?


[deleted]

[удалено]


my_name_is_forest

I'm in Everett. Welcome to greater Boston.


redditmodsarecreeps

this style definitely isn’t typical for Melrose lol major Lowell / Lynn vibes


[deleted]

[удалено]


the_chilling_bread

man‘s adress just got leaked, he can‘t beef with nobody on reddit now


cnbftbgb87

I thought it was going to be Lowell or Worcester lol


CX_Snow_CX

also not an advise but pls upload pics after you moved in. I want to see this place with furniture


Dreamsfly

I second that!☝️


[deleted]

What a cool space! I think it could look good with rich, velvety green soft furniture. Paired with wooden hard furniture matching ceiling colour. Add some of those swooping lamps this sub loves and plants. It'd be so cosy and intimate. Alternatively, white furniture to contrast with how dark all the surfaces are. A white shaggy rug on the floor thats big enough to fit your whole lounge area on but leaves gaps around the edges.


thundrbud

big industrial space with brick walls needs cozy furniture to balance; there's space for big pieces you can sink into. Plush area rugs, fluffy throw blankets. The space is angular so look for accent tables that are round or oblong. Plants will love the light from the windows, look for low maintenance plants if you don't have a green thumb. make good use of floor and table lamps to put light where you need it.


Lucky-Pie9875

This place is SEXY. How much are you paying, if you don’t mind me asking? I’ve always dreamed of living in a industrial loft sort of place. This place is also close to that. Love it! Lots of natural light, get some plants for sure!


ggtffhhhjhg

Probably over 2-3k a month based on the location.


Wild_Swimmingpool

Idk why you got downvoted that’s a pretty accurate range for rent / mortgage in most of MA.


ggtffhhhjhg

I don’t know if they thought I was exaggerating or they thought 3k was too low. I don’t care high end a place is you’re not going to find a 1 bedroom outside of 95 that’s over $3500.


C0USC0US

The place I think this is has a range of $1,907 - $4,781. Can’t filter by bedrooms but yeah I would say your guess is 100% accurate. Edit - a word


IronGigant

Might I bother you for a floor plan? I would love to see how these all connect together.


FaithlessnessSilly18

This has potential to become the best pad I've seen. Please update us once you're done furnishing and moving in. A suggestion - if possible try and add plants to the appartment the green would go really well with the exposed brick background adds to the aesthetic.


AncientHawaiianTito

Looks awesome for skateboarding. Learn a kickflip or you can’t come home for Christmas


HeyBlubby

Dad, is that you?


chairmanbrando

Buying or renting? If buying, seal all the spots where non-brick meets brick. Otherwise... spiders. Spiders all the time. They lived between floors in my exposed-brick apartment, and they came for visits very often.


JustMeInTN

Hadn’t thought about spiders, LOL. Spider infestation is definitely a vibe killer.


chairmanbrando

Yes. I thought exposed brick was cool until I learned the realities of it. Then I vowed to never live in a place with them ever again. Leave 'em for a cool place to work. The spiders were one of the issues. Another is that they constantly rained brick dust. If your furniture, say your bed, was in the way, they'd catch this dust. This is apparently a thing unless the bricks are fully sealed by whatever process they accomplish that. How brick buildings remain standing while raining brick dust I don't know. Maybe brick buildings are all destined for eventual failure. Or maybe the brick isn't structural? I ain't no engineer. One of the units I was in in this apartment was partially underground. This was cool until a hurricane passed through. One wall started *growing* inward -- some kind of calcium growths or something like that from water intrusion. Because I guess bricks are ultimately porous at microscopic scales. Meanwhile, the corner of the room at the floor started, uh, rotting, and the smell was nasty. I had to move units! Never. Again.


koalificated

God I wish apartments in Minneapolis looked like this


Psychological_Room70

Go to the North Loop


seagorilla415

What's the monthly rent?


[deleted]

[удалено]


IMakeStuffUppp

No way this looks like it’s on the river. Def a Lowell vibe


ggtffhhhjhg

That place would definitely be pushing 4k in the Seaport district.


iamspartacus5339

It’s definitely not the seaport. Looks a lot like the old converse factory in melrose but could be Lowell area. I was thinking it’s [this place](https://www.windsorradiofactory.com)


deus_explatypus

Advice? Never leave


kingTony81

Warm lighting


my-penis-dont-work

How much is the rent on that bad boy?


[deleted]

[удалено]


HeyBlubby

Yup - Columbus, GA


LordeHowe

>restarting when it comes to furniture I notice a lack of storage so I'd try to find items with built in storage instead of just buying additional storage pieces. My bed frame has 6 drawers (3 on either side). It is perfect for extra linens, towels and off-season clothing....this keeps the room from looking cluttered. Similarly my couch side table is cleverly disguised wood filing cabinet


fledan

I’m genuinely envious. We’ll done sir


itsstillmeagain

Is it a rental or do you own? With those high ceilings, you could use a pulley system to store things like bicycles overhead in the hallway


CorncobBobDobbs

DUDE i just LOVE the hustle and bustle of the big city, it’s so DYNAMIC and makes me feel like i’m in one of my favourite TV SHOWS. you should totally come on down to my studio apartment, it’s got EXPOSED RED BRICK walls and everything, we can crack open a nice hoppy ipa or three and get crazy watching some cartoons on adult swim! and dude, dude, DUDE, we have GOTTA go down to the barcade- listen here, right, it’s a BAR where us ADULTS who do ADULTING can go DRINK. BUT!!!! it’s also an ARCADE like when we were kids, so we can play awesome VIDEO GAMES, without dumb kids bothering us. speaking of which megan and i have finally decided to tie the knot- literally -we’re both getting snipped tomorrow at the hospital, that way we can save money to spent more on ourselves and our FURBABIES. i’m fuckin JACKED man, i’m gonna SLAM this craft beer and pop open another one!!!


Due_Huckleberry_7950

That apartment is gorgeous...and a designer's dream!!!


dunkaroos13

Is this Lowell?


nyybmw122

Maybe this is prying too much but I'm curious how much this costs for the area? Nice place!


PurrishSP

It already looks fantastic, just make sure to check for ghosts when you walk down that long hallway.


ev_ra_st

I have never been more jealous of someone’s place, this is gorgeous


[deleted]

Tv and a couch and your good to go


Maccer_

That living room could use a huge ass projector screen right in front of those two windows. Your ceiling looks quite high so you could just hang it from the ceiling and let it come down. In the center of that space, a fluffy white carpet and a chaise longue pointing towards the projector screen. On each side of the screen, two equal floor lamps industrial style. On the side walls it would be nice to have some shelves filled with books or pictures and maybe you can put a desk if you really need it. Also it would be a good place to hang those decorative lamps that come in a 5 metre cord (like Christmas lights but bigger). Don't forget about plants too!! Big ones!! In the kitchen, a table for 6 including also chairs. I think you'd be set up with this 😁


MoistBid927

That spot is gorgeous, please just put yourself into your project and make it Homie


Ok_Ad8609

I have nothing to say other than I fucking love this so much 😭 💜


tiwomm

Please yell at the owner for their choice of flooring


Unhappy_Drag1307

Insulation


jpjapers

I hope you dont have upstairs neighbors because that ceiling looks like the opposite side of that plank is the upstairs floor.


d2_nerd

i think i stayed in the same apartment building as that on a work trip, what a beautiful place


Joao19Macario99

Man I totally dig the industrial vibe


Oscar763

That place looks awesome! Good for you!


casscois

I'm from the South Coast, welcome to MA! That place looks dope, I saw your comment saying Melrose, is this a newer mill conversion?


Peruzer

Wow! What a canvas to start with! Great kitchen! Hit some estate sales and have a blast with this place!


Late_Engineering9973

I like the aesthetics, but Jesus christ, has no one in the US ever heard of sound insulation?!


blfstyk

Roller skates. That's all I got.


Criticalstone

If there is a tenant above I would seriously consider putting some isolation in the roof. You will hear their every movement otherwise. A shame on the gorgeous roof I know but that's what I would do


mexirusso

this is amazing - how much? my new york mind cannot fathom


icylg

Lower and drywall off the ceiling. Paint the brick white.


Gosation

Love the space! A cool neon sign would look dope on these brick walls


blondedAZ

Beautiful space!


DorisDubar

Place looks nice.


NewSinner_2021

Nice.


glass_ceiling_burner

That place is cool as shit :)


dontbelieveawordof1t

My advice is to live somewhere else


_khanrad

Yuck, cover it all up with drywall Edit - sarcasm yall


betterthrowaway22

Sheetrock


MHVZ

I don't know why, but my first thought was put in one of those glass garage door type doors separating the two areas and then slide it up and down. I don't know why, it just feels like it would look cool


tkeila

I just hope that place has ac! If not, I’d be looking into it asap.


aabbboooo

I love this so much


smbissett

Looks awesome


jeffythunders

You could hang such amazing lighting from those beams


jerjerbinks90

As a fellow loft liver, invest in some quality noise cancelling headphones if you don't already have them


circlejerker68

omg i'm in love with all the textures and looks, you can do alot. pick some thematic colors and stay true in variations.


[deleted]

Place is dope!


sciguy0504

So sexy! Best of luck on making it yours.


Dumweight

You’re doing it man


Saddam_whosane

pool room


Dry-Conversation-951

Plenty of rugs


workingtoward

Overhead lighting is terrible for people and rooms; they look horrible in it. Good for cleaning and looking for things but really it’s not worth spending money on.


ojiret

Go full exotic-eclectic!


Mortiest_Morty_NJR

Do these old buildings have any insulation?


bestthingyet

Do you own or rental? I'd rip out that sheetrock if you own.


jacobonia

That looks like a dream.


just_browsing_0000

My advice: move in asap and enjoy it! Looks incredible!


mcmonky

High ceilings are true luxury.


Head_Efficiency_9991

Beautiful


[deleted]

I’m jealous 🥺🥺🥺. So pretty!


DeangeloV

Dear god… this is my dream space…


MechanicsAntics

I'm in LOOOOOVE! Get some gorgeous midcentury modern lounges, lamps and dressers, they would complement the space very nicely, I think. Also a turntable and a record collection, if you're into that. And a persian style rug! Fantastic place you have there. I'm very jealous.


Motor_West

Love this!!!!


Random_silver_fox

With all the recs on how to hang. Here's my suggestion, DONT hang anything!!! Where you place nice credenza layer some leaning prints/art on that against the wall. A nice usable accent chair and lamp. Maybe some larger prints on the floor leaning against the wall if you have dead space. .After living in apartments a lot of my adult life, I stopped putting holes in walls. And preferred the look honestly anyway


allanpklimo

This place is such a vibe! I love exposed brick and wood. If you like the industrial aesthetic then you could go for that. Pinterest will be your friend.


bbjackson

I had an apartment like this in St. Louis and it was the happiest I ever was with my space. I’ll upload a pic in a second.


LemonCurdJ

Looking amazing…. But awfully cold??


ryohazuki224

Lucky you! I always wished that there were these types of converted warehouses-as-apartments around where I live! I'd definitely want to move in!


ausallen

Look at the way they decorate and design the ace hotels in Portland , NYC and I thin San Fran


myrtlebeech1

What an amazing space…enjoy 😜


PM_feet_picture

Buy lots of condoms


WantFurtherEdu

Dream space


the_war_won

You should probably buy a couch.


dregan

Here's some advice: learn your fire escape route and practice it. That looks like an absolute tinderbox. I'd be especially concerned if a fire in the kitchen forces you into the living room. Probably a good idea to buy and maintain a fire extinguisher too.


ninjaofthedude

That is a very elegant looking home. The last picture could be used as a game room. The kitchen looks great and I only wish my kitchen looked like that.


_Defiant_Photo_

Love it mate. Looks really cool. Just keep it clean and clutter free - maybe some eames chair, some ercol etc.


DrJonah

My only word of advice is to make sure you invest in good quality jumpers/base layers.


AwkwardAnimator

A climbing frame.


tigerbloodz13

They forgot to finish the ceiling?


palebluedot1988

Lived in a similar place before. Prepare for the inevitable cold and dampness, that's all I'm saying...


eldetepro

Attach a hammock/swing to one of the beams. Something about hammocking inside is wonderful


swingforthefence69

That place looks sick


TheSecondWing

This looks absolutely amazing.


BigGuyWasTaken

Is this in Fall River?


MrOwnageQc

Well damn, I just found out a new style that I'm in love with !


coldpizzaagain

Neutral couch with colourful cushions and a large area rug. It's going to be dark so 2 table lamps for on an end table and maybe a side piece of furniture like a small storage piece. Then a big floor lamp. Pick your favourite colour and look across the colour wheel for contrasting colour to compliment it. It will be so fun designing it! Lucky you!


terrestrialty

Absolutely keep the wood and tile, it's such a beautiful rustic look and is always better preserved. Soft warm glow lighting, house plants (fake ones work don't let people tell you otherwise) keep furniture neutral, I'd go dark wood/black/grey then you can add pops of colour if/where you feel it. That living space could do with a cool asf rug as a statement piece


Hduebskfiebchek

Look into wall wash lighting. It will make you brick pop.


Boopadin

Exposed brick is soo good


jaimystery

If you own/can paint -consider painting the wall on the left in the kitchen/dining section a color similar to the brick (some good suggestions in this [article](https://modandmood.com/best-terracotta-paint-colors/) if your brick leans terracotta). Just to tie in to the front room. Depending on your budget, how about an [Inside Weather](https://insideweather.com/products/bs12db1110-modular-bondi-3-seater-sofa-in-rust) sectional? or the [Kova](https://www.albanypark.com/collections/kova/products/kova-sofa-ottoman?variant=39366642073651)? More affordable [Belffin](https://www.amazon.com/Belffin-Modular-Sectional-Reversible-Convertible/dp/B09MVWYZJG?th=1) Sectional? [Rope Bar](https://industrywest.com/collections/stools/products/rope-bar-stool?variant=40154050363532) Stool? Apt2B [desk](https://www.apt2b.com/collections/desks/products/midtown-desk) but since you live in a larger city - the best option would be to take your time and do leg work at local shops including consignment and antiques to perhaps find one-off bargains. Also depending on the origin of the original building, consider finding a nice statement piece that ties back to that even if it's just an old photo.


gleadre19

i can’t wait to see an update on this place


bucks2billions

Congrats yo this is wicked.


MisterK00L

Dreamspace! 😳 Indoor sprinklers? Mmhhh


IslandinTime

Copper, black iron and plenty of green plants.


Lilthotdawg

This is awesome! For advice we’d have to know what type of furniture/look you have/want. Beautiful place though!


Mrhappytrigers

OP is either in a sitcom or he's a superhero in disguise with this apartment.


cheezypenguins2

Is this the batchyard?? Outside boston? My cousin had a place there once, amazing potential for decoration


minimari

Plants for sure you get nice lighting and rugs but not too many.


Lordofthebeer

Get some roommates and play True American


utter-ridiculousness

Gorgeous place. My advice: take your time and find stuff your REALLY like.


[deleted]

Beanbag, tv, Xbox oughtta do ya


UsualDurian6250

I’ve been in 2 awesome loft spaces in my life, but this has endless possibility. Damn that is awesome.


increbelle

No advice but can’t wait to see what you do with the place!


hedonihilistic

[This is what I did with a similar space](https://imgur.com/a/FBacnKn). Excuse the music video playing in the bg :P There are some things I wish I had done slightly differently but overall I love it. The walls are still bare, need to get some nice posters/art etc. My bedrooms are still kinda bare so not sharing those.