[MAIN BEDROOM]

The main bedroom with its luxurious sleigh bed draped in a voluminous mosquito net has a romantic old-world feel. The panels are the backing boards of the framed maps in the lounge area; Ferdi coated them with blackboard paint and added a personal poem.

Ferdi’s advice on a warehouse conversion

• Start with a clean slate so that you don’t focus too much on the structure. The easiest way to do this is by painting everything white first. • Then divide the space up into possible rooms and cordon them off with screens, a large focal closet or artworks. • Remember to plan the space as a whole and not each room in isolation. • Furnish the space comfortably so that living areas flow easily from one to the other but a guest room, for example, enjoys more privacy. • You don’t need an architect; consult a good interior decorator or designer to help with the spatial planning. • Regulating the temperature in a large open space can be tricky. An apartment that faces north and west is ideal for keeping warm in winter. Small windows near the ceiling will let in natural light but won’t make the space too hot in summer. Install large fans to keep cool in summer; they will also complement the loft aesthetic. • Large rooms with high ceilings can easily create an echo; invest in rugs to improve the acoustics. • The main appeal of a loft area is its space and light. Avoid clinical fluorescent lights in the evening; opt for floor and table lights instead. These lights also help to define different functional areas.