See 1 Designer Deliver 2 Distinct Bachelor Looks
Young professionals looking for style upgrades in their condos turn to an interior designer and get striking spaces
Gwendolyn Purdom
September 11, 2018
Lover of architecture, history, dogs, the Chicago Cubs, crowded bookshelves, and homes with a story. Former editor at Preservation mag and Culturess.com.
Lover of architecture, history, dogs, the Chicago Cubs, crowded bookshelves, and... More
Dustin Paige and Andrew Kletzing were ready for a change. Both Chicago bachelors wanted to upgrade and personalize their respective homes, but they needed help to pull it off. Each researched on Houzz and sought the help of local interior designer Anthony Michael.
“They both realized that their college-boy digs were just not cutting it, and they both felt overwhelmed when it came to feathering their nests,” Michael says. “Their overall designs are two completely different attitudes, one being more of a turn-of-the-century steampunk feel, while the other has a more nightclub vibe.”
“They both realized that their college-boy digs were just not cutting it, and they both felt overwhelmed when it came to feathering their nests,” Michael says. “Their overall designs are two completely different attitudes, one being more of a turn-of-the-century steampunk feel, while the other has a more nightclub vibe.”
Connor Club Chair in brown: Moe’s Home
1. Dustin’s Edgy, Curated Lounge
Size: About 1,500 square feet (about 140 square meters)
Mission: Showcasing Dustin’s favorite pieces with sophisticated style
In Paige’s case, Michael was tasked with building a design narrative around the several unique statement pieces his client had already collected.
There was a concrete dining table in the living room, for instance, and the retro bar shown here. There was also a funky tree-root console table and a classic Ms. Pac-Man arcade game, among other treasures.
Watch now: See how designer Anthony Michael transformed these two homes
Size: About 1,500 square feet (about 140 square meters)
Mission: Showcasing Dustin’s favorite pieces with sophisticated style
In Paige’s case, Michael was tasked with building a design narrative around the several unique statement pieces his client had already collected.
There was a concrete dining table in the living room, for instance, and the retro bar shown here. There was also a funky tree-root console table and a classic Ms. Pac-Man arcade game, among other treasures.
Watch now: See how designer Anthony Michael transformed these two homes
Collaborating with Houzz ideabooks, Michael and Paige landed on a moody, cigar bar-like lounge vibe.
Rolande sideboard: Intrustic home decor; Livingstone 1-light floor lamp in black: Renwil
Rolande sideboard: Intrustic home decor; Livingstone 1-light floor lamp in black: Renwil
“He really understood what I was going for, and I really didn’t,” Paige says. “I had pieces that I liked, but I didn’t have an overall theme or the ability to tie that together.”
In addition to showcasing Paige’s existing elements in the finished home, Michael layered in custom touches like an entryway art installation made from mushroom caps, bold black-and-white horizontal stripes in the living room and a photo wall camouflaging the closet doors.
Robert Abbey Jonathan Adler Versailles floor lamp in black: Robert Abbey
Watch: See how these two homes went from basic to bold
Robert Abbey Jonathan Adler Versailles floor lamp in black: Robert Abbey
Watch: See how these two homes went from basic to bold
2. Andrew’s Traditional Redo With a Meaningful Twist
Size: About 3,500 square feet (about 325 square meters)
Mission: Elevating Andrew’s classic turn-of-the-century taste with personal details
Unlike Paige’s project, with Kletzing, Michael would be starting from scratch. From Kletzing’s ideabooks, Michael gathered that his style was a little more traditional, with a hint of midcentury modern.
E.F. Chapman chunky 1-light table lamp in antique-burnished brass: Visual Comfort & Co.; shallow drum hardback lampshade in black: Royal Designs
How to Create and Use Houzz Ideabooks
Size: About 3,500 square feet (about 325 square meters)
Mission: Elevating Andrew’s classic turn-of-the-century taste with personal details
Unlike Paige’s project, with Kletzing, Michael would be starting from scratch. From Kletzing’s ideabooks, Michael gathered that his style was a little more traditional, with a hint of midcentury modern.
E.F. Chapman chunky 1-light table lamp in antique-burnished brass: Visual Comfort & Co.; shallow drum hardback lampshade in black: Royal Designs
How to Create and Use Houzz Ideabooks
“I didn’t want a designer who would just play it safe. I wanted a bold vision; I wanted someone who would take risks and [add] some flair to the place,” Kletzing says.
Worlds Away Scarsdale chair in black green; Vintage West 54-inch round dining table with 20-inch leaf: Hooker Furniture
Worlds Away Scarsdale chair in black green; Vintage West 54-inch round dining table with 20-inch leaf: Hooker Furniture
To do that, Michael anchored the upstairs and downstairs living spaces with tailored, turn-of-the-century-like pieces paired with some meaningful accents and unexpected details.
Modern contemporary fabric bench in gray: America Luxury
Modern contemporary fabric bench in gray: America Luxury
Kletzing’s military background shines through in elements like displayed uniforms and photos, while more playful choices like the boxer wall prints warm the space.
Abbyson Living leather sofa in brown; E.F. Chapman chunky 1-light table lamp in antique-burnished brass: Visual Comfort & Co.; shallow drum hardback lampshade in black: Royal Designs
Abbyson Living leather sofa in brown; E.F. Chapman chunky 1-light table lamp in antique-burnished brass: Visual Comfort & Co.; shallow drum hardback lampshade in black: Royal Designs
Refining Bachelor Style
Both Kletzing and Paige, shown here, say they were able to tap into their inner style through Michael’s vision.
“The bachelor client today has recognized good design and is becoming more educated and wants to live in an environment where design looks like you’re successful, organized and cohesive,” Michael says. “When you live in a cohesive environment and things are well put together you actually have a sense of calm, you actually have a sense of order and you actually have a sense of confidence.”
Both Kletzing and Paige, shown here, say they were able to tap into their inner style through Michael’s vision.
“The bachelor client today has recognized good design and is becoming more educated and wants to live in an environment where design looks like you’re successful, organized and cohesive,” Michael says. “When you live in a cohesive environment and things are well put together you actually have a sense of calm, you actually have a sense of order and you actually have a sense of confidence.”
If you hired a pro from Houzz and have an amazing design story to share, reach out to us at casting@houzz.com.
On Houzz TV now: See how Dustin and Andrew’s bachelor pads came together
Shop: Browse designer Anthony Michael’s product picks inspired by this project
On Houzz TV now: See how Dustin and Andrew’s bachelor pads came together
Shop: Browse designer Anthony Michael’s product picks inspired by this project
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Prefer the first one. As you say that each was done for the personality of each man. Would have been nice to see before photos
wow