Often, when a couple has a child and lives in a city loft, they make the decision to move into a house with more space and outdoor areas for their family. Nika Jusufi did just that, but there wasn鈥檛 a chance she鈥檇 sell the renovated loft she and her husband lived in before moving. It was just too cool. So, what to do with the space? Make it an office.
Earlier this year, Jusufi moved her office from Eastern Market into what was formerly her home. Her real estate business, , which she founded in 2020, sells real estate in southeast Michigan, with a niche in historic homes and lofts in Detroit.
The home-turned-office, located in the two-story Stuber-Stone Lofts on Cass Avenue in Detroit鈥檚 Midtown area, is perfect for the entrepreneur and her two full-time real estate agents 鈥 it鈥檚 spacious and modern, providing a wonderful opportunity for holding special client events. The historic building, constructed in 1916 as an auto dealership, was even once a hideout for the infamous Purple Gang (a mob of bootleggers who operated out of Detroit in the 1920s).
Jusufi and her husband, Gjon Elezovic, rented an apartment in the building many years ago, she explains, and then purchased it five years ago before revamping and updating its design. 鈥淲hen we purchased it, it was very beige and sad. We cleaned up the lines, expanded the laundry room, and updated the kitchen and bathroom.鈥
To help them transform the space into an office, the couple called on in Detroit.
鈥淭he firm鈥檚 Alex did a phenomenal job,鈥 Jusufi says, 鈥渨orking with what we had and bringing in some vintage pieces. She was really methodical, providing many options.鈥
The couple and their 18-month-old child, Leonardo, now live in the city鈥檚 Boston-Edison neighborhood. The busy mom says her two Detroit spaces (office and home) complement each other and are total opposites. She goes from a modern, light-filled Scandinavian-style design by day to a historic beauty with intricate millwork at night.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e both beautiful worlds,鈥 she says.
鈥淭he idea behind my office is that it doesn鈥檛 feel like an office; it feels like a cool lobby. It鈥檚 important to be inspired by your environment if you鈥檙e working in it.鈥 Her favorite feature is the 鈥渟urprise element,鈥 she says, 鈥渨hen you walk in through a long, narrow hallway and turn the corner into a bright work area. It鈥檚 a jaw-dropping moment.鈥
A look inside her office showcases a nod toward midcentury style, apparent from the furnishings to the artwork 鈥 perfect for this vibrant region of the city.
Layout
The loft features a bi-level design.
High there!
The former living room, with 16-foot-tall ceilings, is considered the office鈥檚 lounge area.
Let鈥檚 meet
The conference table on the upper level is maple, by furniture company Ethnicraft.
You gotta have art
All of the large abstract paintings were created by Jusufi鈥檚 husband, Gjon Elezovic, a painter and car designer.
Sideboard style
A George Nelson black sideboard features a long, cabinet-style look with sliding doors and short feet.
Choice chairs
The lounge area鈥檚 two large, comfortable chairs upholstered in a tan suede (page tk) are from . The two black leather chairs (left) are by . The chairs in the dining area and kitchen are by and .
You鈥檙e benched!
A restored midcentury bench in the lounge area is by Bertoia and is a nice spot for a couple of coffee-table books and a textural throw.
Light fantastic
鈥淭he many large windows allow for a lot of natural light, which makes it feel as if you鈥檙e outdoors,鈥 Jusufi says. Light also comes from gorgeous fixtures including the dining room pendant from and sconces throughout from .
Kitchen confidential
The couple aimed to keep the kitchen鈥檚 design simple, Jusufi shares. 鈥淲e reconfigured the space [it was U-shaped] and splurged on the black-with-white-veins marble counters.鈥 Cabinets are from Ikea and made in Italy.
Check out photos of Nika Jusufi鈥檚 real estate office
This story is from the September 2023听issue of 黑料网 Detroit magazine. Read more in our digital edition. And click here听to see more metro Detroit interiors.听
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