Redecorating a bachelor pad is a task rife with stereotypes and macho themes. Immediately, one conjures up images of black leather, chrome, giant TVs, and stereo equipment stacked to the ceiling. It can be tricky to steer clear of all these connotations and arrive at a fresh, intelligent approach to the challenge of designing a home for the modern single man. With the goal of designing a space that was more gentleman’s quarters than macho bachelor pad, I focused on harnessing the energetic spirit and unbridled enthusiasm of my client to arrive at a room that is unique and unconventional.
This loft space had an undeniable cool factor thanks to its former use as a baseball-glove factory. Immediately, this would be a draw for any single, sports-loving guy and might provide ample inspiration for design motifs. But instead of going hog wild with an all-star sports vibe, I embraced the baseball legacy quietly and discreetly. After designing a custom bed, covered in daring dragon fabric, we opted to use distressed brown leather (reminiscent of a baseball glove) on the side rails. It’s practical and durable but manly — no jerseys, no gloves, no bats needed.
When furnishing a loft space, be sure to seek out unique and unusual elements that add warmth. Instead of opting for run-of-the-mill “modern” and big, boxy furnishings, introduce accents with a story that tells a past history. A pair of industrial shop tables can be repurposed as stools at the foot of the bed, a vintage ladder creates a whimsical play on scale, and a pair of tire moulds can be turned into showstopping mirrors. When balanced with an equivalent infusion of finer furnishings, these rough-and-ready elements add patina and keep the mood youthful and fun.
Some think that open-concept homes limit the options for multiple paint colours. I do not subscribe to that opinion, and enjoy experimenting with various hues. When I enter a home, I like to see one room juxtaposed against the next and enjoy the play of layered colours within a single sight line. Even if your home doesn’t have distinct “rooms” defined by doors and trim, I heartily encourage you to mix it up — avoid the temptation to keep it all consistent. Any corner is an opportunity to break from one hue to another. It’s easier to paint the inside corner, but if you’ve got a steady hand, feel free to cut the line on the outside edge too. Think of the fun you can have when creating blocks of colour as opposed to a monotone!
Not every home is a lifetime purchase. A one-bedroom loft is good for a while — an opportunity not to be missed if you can swing it (I lived in two of them and savoured every moment of my downtown hipster days) — but it’s also the type of space that you may grow out of in time. When considering where to put your decorating dollars, it makes the most sense to be frugal on any fixings that you cannot take to your next domicile. And when the job calls for about 60 yards of fabric to dress the windows, you can bet I’m hitting the bargain bins to add softness and texture to the room. If you’ve got tall windows, selecting a neutral fabric will allow you to repurpose your window coverings in another home in the future (or sell them to the new owner when the time comes to move on).
Don’t be afraid of the P-word. P is for “pattern,” but it doesn’t need to be defined as floral, cutesy, and feminine, and it definitely doesn’t need to be avoided by all bachelors along with the M-word (marriage). I think pattern brings interest and excitement, dynamism and colour, to any room, and it would be a missed opportunity to forgo it altogether. The jumping-off point that got the creative juices flowing was a bold dragon-print fabric featuring saturated hues of turquoise, teal, red, and ochre. Not all clients want a bedroom that is peppered with primary tones, but my client had said he wanted “POW!” so that’s exactly what we tried to deliver.
Finding just the right bedside table with the features you desire at the size you need can be a bit of a scavenger hunt. I find that the combination of a drawer and a shelf offers the right balance of open and closed storage. As a rule, look for a bedside table that is about the same height as the top of your mattress so everything is within easy reach.
