Stereotype be damned: the bachelor pad of yore has officially hit a growth spurt. Gone are the days of dirty dishes in the sink, cardboard beer signs, and sweaty clothes strewn everywhere. It’s clean, and it even smells pretty good. Our modern man has a sense of pride in his space and isn’t hung up on preserving his youth via “Frat-house Decorating 101.”
Enter Dan; a newly minted thirty-something looking for a way to add some personality to his own bachelor pad.
Now just to be clear, clean is great, but it doesn’t always equate to a grown-up space. The lack of contrast in color and texture often makes for one giant yawn. Speaking from experience, how one decorates his home is the first thing a date notices when stepping inside (be it first date or tenth date—I’m not here to judge!). You should know that your visitor will scan the room like a velociraptor on the hunt for its next meal, searching for conversation starters not afforded us in your dating profile.
And as the old saying goes, “Just be yourself,” so with some touches from Dan’s favorite collectibles and a few new pieces, we turned his beige bachelor pad into a personality-filled chick-magnet; which may or may not be responsible for his fabulous new girlfriend. (Just sayin’!)
Amanda DeFisher is an interior stylist and co-owner of Abode, a vintage furniture and home décor shop in the South Wedge. Follow her work on Instagram and at aboderoc.com.
BEFORE
Contrary to popular belief, an overabundance of neutral colors can actually weigh a room down. There are plenty of interesting objects scattered around the room, but they struggle to hold weight in this sea of heavy neutrals.
Rochester neighborhood map by Mike Governale (rochestersubway.com), armchair from Abode, plants from Home Depot, lamps from Target
Artwork is the best place to start. Each color added to the room is a nod to Dan’s pre-existing prints. (Plants are also a safe way to add color.) And because we wanted to maintain the integrity of a neutral palette, light-colored accessories with interesting texture and patterns were also added to the mix.
Cameras from Greenovation and Useless Objects
SAY CHEESE
As an avid photographer, Dan has an eclectic range of vintage cameras. Splitting up a collection while displaying it within the same room increases the likelihood of it actually being seen, creates visual cohesion, and offers a great conversation starter for even the shyest of human beings.
Armchair by Jens Risom, Futura art print by Medium Control (etsy.com)
Don’t be afraid to mix seating. In this case, adding a leather and wood chair to the corner of the carpet not only contributes a masculine vibe, it adds texture and creates a defined space for visitors (no one likes to walk directly into someone’s living room; it’s awkward). The dark color also ties in nicely with the “Futura” print on the far wall.
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