When John Edbauer joined the ranks of Milwaukeeans moving into old industrial buildings downtown, he gained space aesthetically while downsizing mathematically.An interior designer, he explains it this way: "Even though the footprint is smaller, there's more volume so it feels more spacious." That's because be bought a loft.

Edbauer swapped an 1,100 square-foot home in Shorewood for his 950 square-foot loft with 12-foot ceilings. So even though his Shorewood home had 9-foot ceilings instead of the standard 8, he still gains space.

And drama, especially when the city lights up each night.

His view of downtown comes courtesy of the loft's location - on the bluff that rises above the new housing along the Milwaukee River in the Beerline redevelopment zone on N. Commerce St.

Edbauer chose a one-bedroom unit in Cobblers Lofts, the new identity of the old Weyenberg Shoe Manufacturing Co. in the Brewers Hill neighborhood. While part of the renovated building dates to 1917 and features Cream City brick walls and wooden trusses and ceilings, Edbauer chose the industrial look of the 1950s addition.

"Early on, they (the developers) talked about drywalling the ceiling, but I really insisted on keeping the existing metal ceiling," says Edbauer. He has a corrugated ceiling, metal trusses and exposed ductwork.

High ceilings are only one contributor to the sense of spaciousness. The other is the open floor plan, with one large space performing the functions of four rooms: kitchen, dining room, living room and home office.

He uses area rugs and furniture to define the space. Also acting as a divider is a kitchen island that doubles as an entertainment center for the living room. It houses the television and sound equipment.

Edbauer, an interior designer here for 12 years, is general manager of McNabb & Risley Furniture and Interior Design in Thiensville.

Edbauer, a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers, showed his loft to Entree reporter Joy Krause the other day under the watchful eye of his cat, Cally.

Q. Why did you decide to buy this loft?
A. I saw a sign on the building, "Lofts for sale," one day in late winter of 2000 when I was driving down Water Street. I had been curious about loft living for 10 or 15 years. It's a most unique living space, aside from having a custom-built home.

When I saw it, it was crude office space, completely open with a concrete floor. But there were floor plans and I was able to work to scale and determine that my furniture would fit and what I needed to add. I wanted to integrate 90% of my possessions from my house in Shorewood. I bought the loft in April of 2000 and moved in June of 2001 - they had to finish the space, and I think I was the first person to buy in, or one of the first people.

I chose this unit because of the view - I can see the US Bank Center, the gas company, City Hall, Juneau Village, the Cudahy Tower. . . . I chose the 1950s part of the building because the units are wider than those in the 1917 part.

Some of my friends were a little skeptical - they perceived this as a transitional neighborhood. As the days go by the transitional neighborhood changes into a much more gentrified area.

Q. What changes did you make?
A. I did some minor modifications and some upgrades. I moved the utility-room door from the front entry to the bathroom so I would have a wall in the entry for hanging artwork.

I changed the bedroom door to a pocket door from a swinging one.

I upgraded the kitchen cabinets - these are figured maple by Canac.I specifically chose a darker stain for the oak-plank flooring to contrast with the light cabinetry in the kitchen. I added Ann Sacks glass mosaic tile under the cabinets and under-cabinet lights, I purchased the kitchen island new from Fein Bros. (which sells new and used restaurant equipment). It's maple, topped by many coats of polyurethane, and stainless steel.

I chose wallcovering that simulates raw concrete for the full height of the interior walls around the plumbing core (bath and utility room) because it gives the sense of industrial construction. It's commercial wallcovering from Sincol. (All the walls are drywall.)

In the bathroom, I removed the standard mirror and lights and added a free-hanging mirror and halogen lights on either side.

Q. What was your biggest challenge?
A. Finalizing the paint color scheme - the right hue wasn't coming to the surface. My first choice was the rust color that is in the fabrics and artwork. But I decided on a neutral background - it's a warm dove gray. What drove the color choice was the commercial wallcovering. The inside walls of the bedroom are dark charcoal, chosen from the bed coverings.

It's a departure for me—I had bright colors in Shorewood and I've always used bright colors—I once used chartreuse in a bedroom.

Here, the right color happens to be neutral. I'm not living without color. There's a lot of color here—rusts, golds, blues—all derived with the artwork, fabrics and rug.

And one wall in the hallway is Benjamin Moore's "Dill Pickle."

Q. Describe the style you created here.
A. This is a contemporary loft. But as I age, my taste is changing from harder-edge lines to softer lines.

Q. Where do you shop for furniture and accessories?
A. I visit all types of stores. You never know where you're going to find that perfect item. I shop in places that provide a comfortable atmosphere. And my artwork is by Wisconsin artists.