THE WASHINGTON POST • THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2010


6 DC


District house calls A bachelor pad that’s comfortably stylish BEFORE AFTER 3 1


L OCAL LIVING


2


by Emily Langer


THE PROBLEM A 28-year-old Washington renter would like to make his bachelor pad suitable for entertaining guests — and for eating a bowl of cereal in front of the TV. Resident: Zachary Sparer


THE SOLUTION


When upgrading college-era furniture, don’t rush. Invest in higher-quality and long-lasting products that will move easily to new homes.


Purchases should be both practical and classically stylish. The sleek couch, for example, can be converted into a bed for guests.


Colors such as gray, black and cream are sophisticated and masculine — not to mention renter-friendly. Furnishings in those flexible shades are more likely to work in future apartments with different color schemes.


Show off the most beautiful areas of the room, such as the exposed brick. Sconces illuminate and draw the eye to those walls and the curtains.


Use design tricks to hide the less lovely spots. A decorative screen covers the radiator, and dirty dishes vanish behind a curtain dividing the kitchen and living room.


For almost-alfresco dining, place the table and chairs near the bay window. Never let a bay window go to waste.


A variety of finishes — flowing curtains, a wool rug, and round and cornered tables — will make the space not too hard, not too soft. Liven up the room with colorful, eye-catching accents, such as the red flower vase and bowl. They are the finishing touches.


Designer: Brad Weesner of Brad Weesner Design in Frederick, 301-631-0990, www.bradweesnerdesign.com


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Tell us about your design challenge Send photos, room dimensions and contact information to makeover@washpost.com.


See more photos of this project at www.washingtonpost.com/housecalls.


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Adjustable arc sconces ($258 for a pair, www.potterybarn.com).


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Canescent modern contemporary sectional sofa bed ($780, www.overstock.com).


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Traditional Mado shoji screen ($131, www.overstock.com).


IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII MORE IDEAS


Contemporary small dining table ($147, www.overstock.com).


Contemporary dining chairs ($173 each, www.overstock.com).


White sword lilies with red bamboo vase ($55, www.overstock. com).


Slate accent lamp ($90, www.bedbathandbeyond.com).


Karlstad swivel chair ($399, www.ikea.com).


Acrylic nesting end tables ($140 for a set of three, www.overstock.com).


Alvine Rand flat-woven rug ($159, www.ikea.com).


Eileen Gray stainless-steel accent table ($145, www.overstock.com).


Edgecomb Gray paint color for walls, Acadia White and Calmfor ceiling. All by Benjamin Moore.


ILLUSTRATION BY JULIUS GOYANKO FOR THE WASHINGTON POST; “BEFORE” AND HOMEOWNER PHOTOS BY LEAH L. JONES FOR THE WASHINGTON POST


How to get the look


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