Creativity and Camaraderie thrives in downtown shreveport

When Joey Guin, owner of Joseph Guin Salon, purchased the building that now houses both his very popular salon and his loft apartment two years ago, it was continuing a family legacy to combine workspace and living space.

“It’s a thing that has trickled down from my family. My family had a business – a grocery out in the country. And just like you did back in the day, your home was attached to your business,” he said. “I was always fascinated with that connection of home and workspace together. When I stumbled upon this place, it couldn’t have been more perfect.”

Built in 1900, the story-and-a-half building at 711 Texas St. in downtown Shreveport is right in the heart of the revival of the area. “I definitely wanted to insert a vein of life into downtown where one didn’t exist, and I absolutely think we have done that,” Guin said.

Guin’s 2,500-square-foot salon is on the main floor of the building with just a short walk up to the 1,100 square-foot loft apartment that he calls home during the week.

“I was going home to my farm in Red River Parish a good bit, but now I’m just going there on the weekends because I can stay here and be comfortable and feel like I’m at home.”

When it came to arranging the loft space, Guin hit a wall. “I basically did the bones of it. I opened up some doorways and tried to make it feel more like home. I took out some walls in the bedroom and put down new carpet. Then I got stuck. I had moved every piece of furniture 3,000 times, and I hated it. I didn’t like being here. So I sent out feelers.” he said.

When he sent out those feelers, fate led him to Myron Griffing, owner of Space:interiors.

As soon as the two met and discussed plans for Guin’s loft, serendipity took over. “It was funny because Joey and I were in such sync; it was bizarre. We both appreciate Mid-Century. We both appreciate an amalgamation of style. Joey and I are both country boys, and he wanted to keep some of those rural farm elements and stay close to the rural roots. I don’t have a specific look. I just mix it up.

Different periods, different styles, different woods, metals, fur and textures, and that’s what makes it interesting.”

Guin’s loft is what Griffing calls eclectic modern or modern mix.

The loft space, a former law library, has the industrial elements of its roots but feels extremely warm and inviting at the same time. As you reach the top of the entry stairs, the living space opens up for you in a mix of texture and interesting vignettes of focus. In the far corner is a guest bed cozied up to the wall with an industrial car wash sign

hanging off set above. A bit of graffiti on the brick wall left from previous occupants somehow perfectly complements the mix. A mid-century telephone sits on a piece Guin recently acquired at the Hank Williams auction, resting in front of a cow hide rug from Griffing’s own collection. The living space feels as though it would be perfectly normal for there to be a glass of good scotch and a rich cigar at arm’s length at all times.

A small balcony overlooks the activities of Texas Street, and a tulip dining table in the opposite corner of the living space is separated from the main space by a set of box springs that have been spray painted. “I walked into a store one day and got an idea. They had a mattress hung from the ceiling with light bulbs through it and I thought, ‘That could be a room divider, and I could paint it white.’ Joey was loving everything about it. It’s literally become one of my favorite things that I’ve ever done.” Griffing said.

The color scheme of black, white and gray is carried through the entire loft, with pops of color and interest through each room. Most of the pieces were purchased locally. “The black-and-white striped chair came from Paul Michael in Monroe as did the little chrome side table. A lamp and side table came from the JCPenney in Monroe,” Griffing said. A gorgeous black lacquer mirror hangs above a Mid-Century buffet in the walk through of the main living space. “It was burnished gold Styrofoam, and I painted it high gloss black. It went from looking like every other kind of mirror to ‘High Vampire.’ It only weighs about two pounds.”

Many pieces were also purchased at the Dillard’s at the Pierre Bossier Mall, including a cobalt blue side chair that begs for attention. “Who would have known all the little gems that were in there?” Guin said. “We never discussed a budget. One of my absolute favorite things that turned out to be one of his favorite things is to take really inexpensive things and make them look absolutely fantastic.” Griffing agrees.

“What we spent wasn’t a crazy amount of money, but what we got is all unique.”

The bedroom is a luxurious example of how to make the most of space and make it comfortable. A pair of beautiful lamps recently purchased on a trip to Kansas City frame the modern bed, and a set of French doors invite you to the rooftop area – a future green space project that Guin and Griffing plan to work on soon. “That’s going to be a lot of fun to design,” Griffing said. Creating the perfect kitchen space is also on the agenda.

“The original idea was to be shabby loft, but Myron infused that little bit of fancy and a little bit of glam. Now I feel I could stay here all the time,” Guin said. “I don’t have covered parking, I don’t have gated anything. I don’t have neighbors. I feel 100 percent safe down here. I can’t wait until it’s a little neighborhood. We really have an awesome downtown.”

For Griffing, living spaces like Guin’s make a difference in the life of the city. “I think Shreveport’s creative class is growing, and I think it’s vital for the growth of the city to have a vibrant, creative class. If we aren’t here to move into downtown lofts and sketchier parts of town to show the masses that it’s doable, no one else will.”

Not only has their collaboration created an amazing space, it has also created a friendship. “It was fun how we instantly bonded,” Guin said. “It was kind of the majesty of the whole thing was that we discovered each other in the process of doing something we both adore.”