This past weekend LoftLife sponsored the Eighth Annual Castleberry Hill Loft Tour. The festivities kicked off on Friday night with the Loft Tour Media and Sponsor Party. Great food from Castleberry Hill’s local eateries was provided and Massoud Besharat’s breath-taking home and gallery served as the backdrop. Many of the guests went on to take part in the monthly Castleberry Hill Art Stroll.

Even with ominous clouds, the crowds showed for the first day of the tour. Volunteers were welcoming and worked hard to make sure guests were well informed and guided.

Loft #1 is owned by artist / illustrator, David Campbell. It was one of the smaller lofts, but was also one of the most successful uses of space. Multi-levels and large canvases served as room dividers between his living and working space. Large factory windows let in excellent light for drawing and living. This live/work space is cozy, comfortable and very livable.

Loft #2 is the home to Calvin Lockwood and Steve Messer. After walking through the downstairs gallery, guests are greeted by an actual airplane fuselage. The loft itself is open and airy with a mix of new furniture and vintage finds. Adjacent to the main space is a private, natural style, multilevel rooftop garden. Although the highlight is the spiral staircase that leads to a small rooftop cupola with stunning views of the city and their own garden below.

Loft #3 is a free-spirited space inhabited by Debbie Kvinlaug. This tri-level loft was a former loading dock for a meat packing plant and still retains a lot of the industrial grit. Most recently in her career, Debbie has worked for Claire’s, and that same funky fun attitude infuses her space. From the quirky bare-lightbulb chandelier to the messenger bag planters; her space oozes character.

Loft #4 is owned by Jeff and Tracy Schaffrick and is an interesting mix of modern and traditional. After acceding the stairs from the gallery below, The space is all exposed brick and clean wood floors. In contrast, the furniture is more classic in styling, which gives the space a warm touch. The heart of the home is a beautiful, large kitchen, perfect for entertaining.

Loft #5 is an open loft with soaring three story ceilings and belongs to Tracy Bergquist. This loft really works because all the living spaces are open and flow into one another, while just behind well placed walls lie comfortable and intimate bedrooms. It even has a small room at the very top, perfect for listening to vinyl with friends and having a few drinks.

Loft #6 is home to Raymond and Wendy Tsao. This three-story 1930’s warehouse was renovated to their specifications. The goal of this home was to create something that feels both contemporary and country and the same time. With fantastical light fixtures, distressed furniture, touches of glass and exposed brick walls it certainly accomplished its goal.

Loft #7 and #8 were both in the neighborhood’s newest construction, Castleberry Point. The first belongs to Rob Anderson who used a boutique hotel as inspiration while adding some personal touches that reflect his love of old-school jazz. The second loft is home to Valarie Henry and had a really wonderful layout. With living space on one side of the partition and sleeping on the other, both can enjoy sweeping skyline views from the full wall of floor to ceiling windows.

Even with the downpour of rain on Saturday, Atlantans came in droves to participate in the neighborhood event. Everyone left with great design inspiration and (of course) a copy of LoftLife magazine.