Colorful, Eclectic Rental Remodel

When Dr. Carolyn Bannister initially purchased an investment property, the living room was cramped and impractical. Due to modest condo dimensions, the prior owner was unable to figure out proper furniture placement. From the start Carolyn was intent on replacing the dated wall-to-wall carpet with engineered hardwoods and adding architectural interest to the fireplace wall.

Carolyn turned the cozy living room into a warm, relaxing space for tenants to snuggle up by the fireplace, watch TV or simply enjoy conversation with guests. To best utilize the space, a pair of gray flannel two-seater sofas were floated in front of the fireplace, balanced with a generously sized walnut coffee table and grounded with a transitional iron pendant. Previously lacking a focal point, the fireplace wall is now packed with architectural interest, the result of being clad with 1x10 pine plank, which was updated with a whitewash finish.

A transitional-style iron pendant was centered in the living room over the coffee table to keep the space well-lit and add ambiance. To keep the view of the new flat-panel TV unobstructed, the bottom of the pendant was placed 44 inches above the top of the table.

Keeping the space warm was one of Carolyn's major concerns with the redesign of her rental property. To add privacy and warmth to the windows, they were dressed with dark bamboo shades, which add organic texture. In order to draw the eye up and give the illusion of taller windows, Carolyn had custom draperies made from $7-per-yard toile.