Houzz Tour: Eclectic Charm in a Georgetown Rental
Secondhand finds add classic and quirky style to a one-bedroom apartment in Washington, D.C.
Sarah Lyon is crazy about secondhand furniture. With an interior design style she describes as a mix of classic and quirky, the 25-year-old communications professional decorated her one-bedroom apartment with upcycled pieces and spots of color throughout.
This gray Ikea sofa moved with Lyon from a previous apartment in New York City, first to Philadelphia and then to Washington, D.C. “I don’t sit in my living room that much during the week, but I love the sunlight that comes in during the day, and it’s my favorite place to sit on weekend mornings,” Lyon says. “I love cozying up on my couch and catching up on my favorite blogs and websites, or watching a Netflix episode or two. I love having small groups of friends over, and my living room is the perfect place to gather for cocktails and catching up.”
The gallery wall features a collection of colorful and playful prints collected over the years, including this cheeky ornament Lyon bought on Etsy.
Lyon bought a pair of campaign dressers on Craigslist this past winter, one of which is used as a media stand and provides extra living room storage. “I worked with someone local who gave the big dresser a fresh coat of paint, and it’s such a great piece to have in my living room,” she says.
The radiators take up some room in the apartment, but the one in the living room came with a cover. “I’ve placed a stack of books on top to jazz up that area a bit,” Lyon says.
The radiators take up some room in the apartment, but the one in the living room came with a cover. “I’ve placed a stack of books on top to jazz up that area a bit,” Lyon says.
Reading is one of Lyon’s favorite hobbies, so she created this little library nook filled with some of her favorite works of fiction, thrillers and autobiographies. “When I lived in NYC, I barely read at all because I was always out doing things, but I’ve come to enjoy it a lot once again within the past couple of years,” she says. “I love to have all of my books on display, although I’ll be honest — that isn’t even my full collection. They definitely make a great conversation piece.”
Darley bookcase: Target
Darley bookcase: Target
“I probably spend the most time in my bedroom, which makes me feel good about deciding to go for a one-bedroom rather than a studio,” Lyon says. “I really do appreciate that division of space. My bedroom is a cozy little oasis where I like to unwind at the end of the day. The shades of blue are soothing and less loud than in some of the other places in my apartment.”
Lyon says with a laugh that she opted for budget-friendly bedding, since “I enjoy snacking and drinking coffee in bed too much to trust myself with nice bedding!”
The vanity table was bought secondhand, and Lyon spray-painted it blue and bought the gold mirror above it.
Lyon says with a laugh that she opted for budget-friendly bedding, since “I enjoy snacking and drinking coffee in bed too much to trust myself with nice bedding!”
The vanity table was bought secondhand, and Lyon spray-painted it blue and bought the gold mirror above it.
Lyon is inspired by home design bloggers whose style leans toward preppy and nautical. “I love how Lauren Nelson styled her bedroom, and I copied her look a bit in my own room,” she says.
The white bookshelf is a Craigslist find. “I love banana leaf print and was so excited to find this bookshelf for sale. The previous owner added the fabric herself, and she did a great job,” Lyon says.
“For furniture I’m drawn to classic styles — I love anything campaign-style and can’t get enough of faux bamboo,” Lyon says. She spray-painted this side table she bought on Craigslist a cheery royal blue with the help of her mother.
Upholstered headboard, gingham pillows and gold-framed mirror: Target; stool: Target via Craigslist; campaign nightstand: Craigslist; beach print: Wayfair
This upholstered bench under Lyon’s bedroom window is another Craigslist find. “I purchased it from a mother and daughter who refurbish vintage furniture, and I believe they added the fabric. I love leopard print as well as blue and white, so it was meant to be,” Lyon says.
Since Lyon rents her apartment, she didn’t physically change it other than sprucing it up with decor. “My home definitely reflects my lifestyle,” Lyon says. “I used my dining nook area as an office for the first few months after moving in. As a single person who doesn’t like to cook, my apartment’s shortcomings are just fine. I eventually ended up getting a small kitchen table for the nook, and I do sit there a lot, but previously I’d eat my breakfast and dinner on my couch.”
The apartment has a small kitchen with limited counter space, so Lyon got creative. “I’ve made my apartment a place where even the most routine acts become fun,” she says. “Take my coffee bar, for example. I use my Keurig every single day at least once. My small nook, where I’ve set up my kitchen table and coffee bar, is the perfect place to settle down with breakfast and my laptop before heading out the door in the morning.” She found the West Elm console table on Craigslist for $100.
Pictured here is a secondhand bar cart, a $15 Craigslist find, that comes in handy when Lyon is entertaining friends.
Lyon is pictured here in front of her gallery wall. She loves living in Georgetown, as she says it is “about as close as you can get to Northern Virginia while still being in D.C. itself, which makes it pretty manageable to get to and from work while also being able to meet friends in other parts of the city.”
Show us: Have you given your studio or one-bedroom apartment your own special style? We’d love to see it in the Comments!
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Show us: Have you given your studio or one-bedroom apartment your own special style? We’d love to see it in the Comments!
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Sarah Lyon
Location: Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Size: 650 square feet (60.3 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
Lyon bought most of the furniture pieces in the living room on Craigslist, including the pair of white armchairs, the coffee table and the blue side table, which was originally from Target. “The blue pouf is from eBay but came unstuffed, so I’ve filled it with old clothes and towels. I’m hoping to get one that’s a bit sturdier and comes prestuffed, but this one was very affordable,” Lyon says.
Why Your Room Needs a Pair of Vintage Armchairs