Before + After: Bachelor Pad

Designer revamps banker's condo

Charlotte designer Sarah Catherine Garvin spent years coaxing her husband’s friend to let her help turn his “total bachelor pad” into a home he’d be proud to show off. The banker, who has lived in the Trademark building on West Trade Street since it was built in 2007, finally agreed to a makeover about two years ago. Using clean lines and simple pieces, Garvin maximized the skyscraper views in the two-bedroom condo’s open living space. The results are elegant and handsome—a great investment for her client. 

Courtesy Sarah Catherine Garvin

BEFORE

Flooring
Garvin started from the ground up, ripping out the floors that came with the condo and replacing the basic laminate with a high-end walnut marked by beautiful graining. To make the space modern and masculine, she stained the wood with an espresso finish.

Seating
The designer doubled the seating while also making sure visitors can enjoy the view. She replaced two linen sofas that had taken over the living room with a gray chenille L-shaped sectional. She also custom-ordered two chocolate-leather club chairs that were the right fit for the space.

Main Wall
The blank main wall was transformed with built-in floating shelves. Adding accessories and a flat-screen TV, Garvin created a media focal point—much more sophisticated, she says, than the small media unit that once sat diagonally in front of the window.

Dining
Keeping the homeowner’s rattan table, Garvin changed out the chairs, custom-ordering gray leather for around the table and a textured weave for the end chairs. She also added art to the wall, flanked by two mirrors to give the space dimension, and installed a Jonathan Adler two-tiered chandelier.

Windows
Garvin, who believes window treatments transform a space, knew one of the first things to go would be the pull-down solar shades that came with the condo. She replaced them with drapes and a soft beige Roman shade with a permanent pleat.

A Man’s Suit
From the discreet herringbone pattern on the sofa to the camel pillows and wool, navy-blue throw, all of the colors and textures in the home aim to reflect the style found in men’s suits. The walls are painted a warm gray with a slate-blue accent wall. Neutrals dominate, but with touches of color and pattern throughout.