Stacy Weiss: Shadyside, Pennsylvania

While a common challenge of loft living is in creating an inviting environment, Weiss met this obstacle head-on. "You really have to put lots of pieces in place so it doesn't seem cold," she states. Rather than fulfilling a wish-list of items and furnishings, Weiss takes a more emotive approach to choosing what she brings home. By loving every piece that she buys and then finding a place for it, she has created a relaxed environment where just about everything has a story. The leather chair and ottoman, for example, had belonged to Weiss's parents. They had bought it brand new back in the 70s. "I was young," Weiss explains, "and I thought it was so ugly- eventually I fell in love with it!" She inherited the set about ten years ago, and has never lost appreciation for it. Adrienne DeRosa Photography © 2013 Houzz