How One Designer Gave This Los Angeles Condo a Bold Makeover

These before and after pictures are stunning! Designer Aaron Duke transformed a Los Angeles condo with punchy colors, bold touches and dramatic accessories. Take a tour through the space.

By: Addie Morton

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Photo By: Brandon Vogts

Photo By: Aaron Duke

Photo By: Brandon Vogts

Photo By: Aaron Duke

Photo By: Brandon Vogts

Photo By: Aaron Duke

Photo By: Brandon Vogts

Photo By: Aaron Duke

Photo By: Brandon Vogts

Photo By: Aaron Duke

Photo By: Brandon Vogts

Photo By: Aaron Duke

Photo By: Brandon Vogts

Photo By: Aaron Duke

Photo By: Brandon Vogts

Photo By: Aaron Duke

Photo By: Brandon Vogts

From Drab and Dreary to Bright and Bold

Interior designer Aaron Duke believes your home should be a place where you can be yourself and express yourself. For his latest project, he transformed a 28-year-old TV and film coordinator's West Hollywood condo into a live, work and play dream home. Before the makeover, Aaron's client had no interest in showing off his bland space. Aaron's main goal was to not only focus on the design, but on the way each home-y detail could enhance his client's personal life. After a three-month renovation, Aaron delivered, and now this bright and bold space is perfect for hosting and entertaining friends and family.

Before: Mismatched Living Room

Aaron and the client agreed that everything must go. The condo had been renovated over the years, but visually, it was a collage of other people's mismatched ideas. "[The living room] wasn't a place you wanted to come, hang out and enjoy a meal," Aaron says. "The lighting was poor, and it was very dark and cave-like. [The client] felt like he couldn't live his best life because his home was getting in the way."

After: Modern and Bright

The living room is where the client spends most of his time, so he wanted comfortable furnishings that would wear well with his cats. Aaron took inspiration from New York City apartments. Small spaces call for multi-functional furniture, so Aaron opted for a sofa big enough to lay down and watch TV on. In addition, the ottoman serves as a coffee table. Aaron aimed to make the condo colorful, masculine and sophisticated. To create a sense of continuity in the small space, he used a palette of warm neutral colors for the finishes throughout the home.

Before: Shared Space

The client's cats had taken over all rooms of the condo, including the powder bathroom. The litter box was taking up valuable floor space and prevented the room from being guest-friendly.

After: Guest-Approved

The client needed a bathroom that he wouldn’t be ashamed for his guests to use, so the litter box got the boot and fun striped wallpaper was added. The sink and mirror were also renovated for a modern touch.

Before: Messy Bedroom

Redesigning a condo can come with a few challenges. In this case, designs and construction must be approved by the homeowners association and space plans cannot be changed. The client's bedroom floor was cluttered with clothes that didn't have a home, so Aaron carefully revamped the bedroom to utilize and maximize all available space.

After: Master Retreat

Ta-da! This space saw a dramatic transformation. The team continued the color story from the rest of the condo into the bedroom, mindful of the existing carpet which was in good enough shape to keep. “We incorporated the bright colors the client loved in a darker and more masculine feel in the bedroom,” Aaron says. The client enjoys sleeping in, so the team focused on making it cozy with a new mattress and bedding and blackout window treatments. The home desperately needed additional storage, so additional built-ins were designed to accommodate the modern-day man’s wardrobe.

Before: Boring Bath

“The small master bathroom was dated, claustrophobic and didn't have space to store his grooming products,” Aaron says. He was unable to change the floor plan, so instead he focused on ways to make this tiny bathroom appear larger.

After: White and Clean

The team took inspiration from an apartment Aaron saw in Spain. Tiled walls and ceilings create an easy-to-clean wet room, that also allows the client a space to bathe his cats without worrying about water splashing everywhere.

Before: Bland and Wooden

The kitchen featured out-of-date appliances and needed a dedicated space for the client’s baking hobby. Lighting was poor and storage was not properly utilized.

After: Bold In Black

Although it was risky, this bold design paid off. “Most people would assume an all-black look would make a space feel smaller and confined, but it did the exact opposite,” Aaron says. The kitchen's new masculine and metropolitan feel balances the color in connecting rooms. Aaron's team also cleared counter space to make room for baking, plus added top-of-the-line appliances.

Before: Cluttered Chaos

Before the reno there was no place for clutter to hide: The living room, dining room and kitchen are all connected. There wasn't even a proper place to relax and eat a meal.

After: Dedicated Dining Space

The team ditched the old wooden dining table for a new and attractive midcentury set, while giving a nod the apartment building, which was built in 1972.

Before: Misplaced Decor

Pieces of art were randomly scattered throughout the walls of the condo before Aaron arrived. There wasn't a cohesive look, so the space felt extra unorganized.

After: Grown-Up Gallery Wall

Off the kitchen, Aaron created an area for his client to display marathon medals, gallery-wall-style. Then, to illuminate his client's collection of artwork, Aaron added wall sconces.

Before: Feline Takeover

The client needed a special place to store his cats' food and supplies. In the previous design, cats had taken over the entire space.

After: Cats' Corner

This dedicated space allows for storage and prevents pets from taking over the home.

How One Designer Gave This Los Angeles Condo a Bold Makeover

Related To:

Shop This Look

From Drab and Dreary to Bright and Bold

Before: Mismatched Living Room

After: Modern and Bright

Before: Shared Space

After: Guest-Approved

Before: Messy Bedroom

After: Master Retreat

Before: Boring Bath

After: White and Clean

Before: Bland and Wooden

After: Bold In Black

Before: Cluttered Chaos

After: Dedicated Dining Space

Before: Misplaced Decor

After: Grown-Up Gallery Wall

Before: Feline Takeover

After: Cats' Corner

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