The Smiths feel that the layout of their 1,400-square-foot apartment allows privacy where needed with storage areas strategically placed in room dividers and under their custom bed. While the apartment is located along one of the city’s busiest streets, the thick walls provide a buffer to the outside world, while the natural lighting highlights the apartment’s features.
Perhaps one of the loft’s most unique features is the rooftop patio outside the apartment’s back door. For those who don’t mind heights, a spiral iron staircase leads to an upper level that provides a view extending southeast to Lake Shawnee and south to the water tower by Frito Lay. “I’m not sure how much of a ‘wow’ it is,” says Steve, “but the wide range of views giving us a glimpse of a downtown main street, a large city collection of tall buildings, a corporate office park view, and a view of suburbia to the east is nice to us.” Also nice is the metallic garden of flower blooms along the upper level that requires no watering or care. “Steve really dislikes yard work,” Edie says, adding that this all metal “urban garden” needs no maintenance, which is perfect for their city lifestyle.
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TOPEKAMAGAZINE
Winter ’ 12