A Fairmount loft with history
Allison Langer and Mark Paulson were intrigued by the former AF Bornot Dye Works Co. building, and seized an opportunity to move in.
A regular at Yoga Habit in Fairmount, Allison Langer was curious about the four-story apartment building next door, the AF Bornot Dye Works Lofts. Her husband, Mark Paulson, was also intrigued, but at the time, the building was fully occupied.
“We are drawn to historical preservation,” recalled Langer, a developmental psychologist. “The windows caught our eye from the street, and I told Mark, if an apartment in that building opened up, I would love to move there.”
Six months later, in April 2024, their wish came true. Their two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment has 11-foot-high ceilings and an open floor plan.
“The combination of the windows, really high ceilings, and exposed ductwork makes it feel so airy, open, and spacious, even though it’s only 1,250 square feet,” said Paulson, a data analyst.
The windows are the couple’s favorite feature. The western exposure means they can enjoy daily sunsets, and Frankie, the 6-year-old orange shorthair domestic cat they adopted from a local shelter, can sunbathe on one of the large windowsills all day.
The open floor plan is perfect for the couple, who enjoy cooking and entertaining.
“When we have friends over, everyone can be in one space,” Langer said. “The kitchen is the spot in the home with the most western-facing windows so we can watch the sunset as we’re cooking.”
An avid baker, she has a dedicated corner for preparing her sweet confections. That’s where the KitchenAid mixer her mother-in-law gave her sits, alongside a photo of her grandmother baking with her when she was young.
Fridays are typically pizza night when Paulson and Langer make homemade pies. They also enjoy board game nights with friends, including Magic: The Gathering — a game Paulson has played since he was 5 years old. They also play Settlers of Catan, Wingspan, and Nertz.
The building is a historic landmark originally constructed in 1901 as the headquarters of the AF Bornot Dye Works Co. In July 2014, MM Partners acquired the property, and following an extensive renovation, completed construction in June 2016.
“The exterior still beautifully harbors the old Parisian style of this historic, adaptive reuse property,” said William K. Ayassou, regional manager at MM Partners. The project earned the 2018 Preservation Alliance Achievement Award.
Langer and Paulson are inspired by mid-century and Scandinavian design and Japanese minimalism, focusing on a decluttered, yet warm look. They celebrate the modern style that incorporates the building’s historic features with natural wood tones and mid-century furniture.
Most of their furniture has come from secondhand stores.
“Philly is such a great city for secondhand furniture and people do a great job of keeping everything in great condition,” Langer said.
The dining room table was a Habitat for Humanity Restore find, and as the first piece they bought together in their previous apartment it carries a lot of sentimental value.
They also collect lamps in various shapes and sizes. With so much natural light in the apartment, they appreciate the glow of the lamps scattered throughout, from the mushroom to the orb to the orange doughnut shaped Ikea Varmblixt LED model that went viral on TikTok and Instagram in 2023.
“The overhead lighting is minimal, so we’re really able to indulge our lamp collection,” joked Langer.
Bursts of color are found in textiles and artwork. Paulson, who makes art as a hobby, takes classes at Philly Art Center near their home. One of the couple’s favorite pictures — an acrylic painting he made in class from a photo of Frankie awash in a sunbeam — sits on the desk between the living room and dining room.
“I enjoy dabbling, and the Art Center is another way in which we engage with the Fairmount community,” Paulson said.
The desk also holds the clay Bok building replica their friend Keeley gave them for their 2024 wedding, which was held at the Bok. Other wedding mementos can be found in their primary bedroom, including the photo of the sky taken by Philadelphia-based wedding photographer Elizabeth Blanco, which hangs above their bed.
“We got very lucky with a cloudless day and a beautiful sunset during our ceremony on Bok’s roof,” Langer said. “The photo captures and reminds us of that moment.”
Langer loves her home’s proximity to Yoga Habit and the rest of the Fairmount community. Some of the couple’s favorite hangs include Musette, Aiyah (and its monthly art markets), and Sandwich Corner Market.
“It’s such a central location, close to the Broad Street Line and great cafes, restaurants, and small businesses in Fairmount,” she said.
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