Ep 12. Living Large in a Little Loft

West End Salvage is a reality show that follows the exploits of the team of salvage experts working at the titular store, located in the heart of Des Moines, Iowa. In season 1 episode 12, titled "Living Large in a Little Loft," the team takes on a particularly challenging job: transforming a tiny loft apartment into a comfortable and stylish living space.

The loft in question is a 400-square-foot studio located in a historic building in downtown Des Moines. The owner, a young woman named Emily, has been living in the space for a few months but has found it difficult to make the most of such a small area. She turns to the experts at West End Salvage for help in creating a more functional and attractive living space.

The team begins by assessing the space and taking note of its limitations. The loft has high ceilings, which give it a feeling of openness and light, but the actual floor space is limited. There is a small kitchen area, a bathroom, and a living space that needs to be divided into separate sleeping and seating areas. The team decides to create a loft bed to maximize the vertical space, which will allow for a seating area beneath it.

Before beginning any construction, the team takes Emily to the West End Salvage store to look for inspiration and materials. They discuss her personal style and preferences and offer suggestions for furniture and decor pieces that will work well in the small space. Emily finds a vintage metal headboard that she loves, and the team decides to use it as the basis for the loft bed design.

Back at the loft, the team gets to work building the loft bed. They use steel piping to create a sturdy frame, then add rustic wooden slats for the platform and steps. They hang the metal headboard on the back wall and add string lights around the perimeter of the bed to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Underneath the bed, they install a custom-built sofa that can be converted into a guest bed if needed. The sofa is upholstered in a soft blue fabric that complements the metal headboard.

To separate the sleeping and living areas, the team creates a custom room divider using salvaged windows and doors. They add vintage lace curtains to the windows and paint the pieces a soft white to keep the space feeling light and airy. They also install a large mirror on one of the walls to make the space feel larger and reflect more light.

In the kitchen area, the team transforms a plain white backsplash into a colorful and eclectic feature wall. They use a variety of salvaged tiles in different shapes, sizes, and colors to create a mosaic that adds interest and texture to the space. They also add a floating shelf made from an old wooden beam to provide extra storage and display space.

Finally, the team focuses on adding decor pieces that will tie the space together and give it personality. They add a vintage rug, a colorful painting, and a variety of throw pillows and blankets to the seating area. They also create a custom wall hanging using a salvaged driftwood plank and letters that spell out "home sweet home."

At the end of the episode, Emily is thrilled with her transformed loft. The team has managed to create a stylish and functional space that feels larger than its 400 square feet. Emily now has a cozy place to call home in the heart of downtown Des Moines, thanks to the creative vision and hard work of the West End Salvage team.