The Insider: Bed Stuy Railroad Flat Becomes Loft-like Space

"I call it a loft. We took down walls and put in a big pocket door. The majority of the time, it's just one long space. We tried living in it different ways. By the time we got to the renovation, we were confident about how we wanted it to work."

"Once dark and segmented, the space now flows as a continuum, benefiting from a few light-maximizing moves. An expansive central kitchen in which several people can work optimizes the space for gatherings. A 4-foot-wide pink pocket door on the bedroom slides closed for privacy, otherwise remaining open for light and air."

"Mills took away a bedroom, creating a living room at the end of the apartment where arched windows overlook a park. At this moment, we don't need a second bedroom. The original layout featured bedrooms in the middle with separate kitchen and living areas."

Architect Graci Mills and her partner Andrew Keck renovated their 50-foot apartment in a circa 1900 building by converting it into an open-plan loft. They removed walls and installed a large pink pocket door to create one continuous space while maintaining privacy options. The original layout featured bedrooms in the middle with separate kitchen and living areas; a 2012 renovation moved bedrooms to each end. Mills eliminated one bedroom to create a living room with arched windows overlooking a park. The redesigned space includes an expansive central kitchen for gatherings and maximizes natural light throughout. Furnishings are primarily vintage pieces, many salvaged from film sets through the owner's prop master connections.

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