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AMY PREISER (ELLE DECOR) - The new, designer-approved, bachelor pad essentials. Fridge full of beer not included.  Nick Johnson via Carrier & Company 1. A PLACE TO SIT AND EAT (THATS NOT A COFFEE TABLE) "As you age, it gets harder and harder to sustain that eating-at-the-coffee-table lifestyle," says designer Mara Miller, who runs New York-based Carrier and Company with her husband Jesse Carrier. “A dining table—even a small-scale one—makes it much easier to entertain."  Rodd Zinnberg via Oliver Furth 2. A BEAUTIFUL CHEST OF DRAWERS “It’s a great investment piece," says Oliver Furth, of the eponymous Los Angeles firm. "When you’re in a smaller home, it can be a focal point in your living room. And when you move into a larger house, it can be your bedroom dresser.” The important thing here—don't skimp on quality. “I work with a lot of young clients and we talk about where to spend and where to save, and a set of drawers is exactly the type of thing to spend on. When you’re thinking about drawers that you’ll open and close a million times, don’t skimp.”  Jacob Snavely via id810 3. RISK “Men tend to be so practical about their furniture choices,” says Jessica Geller, who runs the New York-based firm id810 with partner Virginia Toledo. “So it can be hard to convince them to take a chance with something bold that’s not necessarilyneeded. But when we see guys take that risk, like the client we convinced to try this black Shagreen wallpaper, it ends up being their favorite piece.” Other benefits to the bold piece? “It’s probably going to help him land a partner,” adds Toledo.  Robert Brantley via Carrier & Company 4. A DESK THATS PART OF YOUR HOME - NOT SQUIRRELED AWAY IN A HOME OFFICE Unless you work from home full-time and require a fully separate office, Miller and Carrier recommend incorporating a stylish desk into your decor. “People are multitasking all the time now,” says Miller. “You deserve a space where you can work while still enjoying the best light or the best views your home has to offer.”  John Coolidge via Oliver Furth 5. WHITE SHEETS “There’s something that feels very clean about getting into a white bed. And white sheets—particularly Percale with a high thread count—are a great investment that you will never tire of,” says Furth. “Plus, they’re never going to offend a guest in your bed.”  Jacob Snavely via id810 6. A WELL DEVELOPED LIBRARY It doesn’t have to be an entire room, but well-stocked bookshelves speak volumes. “It shows that you’re well-read and gives the feeling that you’re well-traveled as well,” says Toledo. “At a time when everyone’s so iPad-oriented, having hard copies of books has an almost magical quality.” Toledo and Geller also recommend mixing in personal objects here, so it looks more like home. “Think pieces you’ve picked up in travels, or from when you were a child. It gives texture and personality to the shelves,” says Geller.  7. SOMETHING ELSE IN THE ROOM WITH YOUR TV “We never encourage clients to hide the TV,” says Carrier. “Instead, we try to make it part of the setting.” He and Miller recommend adding pieces to your TV room to keep it from looking like a tech center. Nice furniture, a stack of books, lamps—all will do. “Technology is getting smaller and smaller,” says Miller. “It’s passé to show off giant speakers or accessories.”  Jacob Snazely via id810 8. A BATHROOM THAT'S YOUR SANCTUARY “People think a luxurious bathroom is a female thing, but our male clients all love and need bathroom amenities that are truly comforting,” says Geller. On the high-end, that means jets in the shower, a steam room, or radiant floors. “But it can also be as simple as a shower bench—somewhere for a man to sit and decompress with hot water coming down—or just a designated and comfortable place to shave, with a well- placed mirror and very plush bathmat,” adds Toledo.  John Coolidge via Oliver Furth 9. LIGHTING OPTIONS “Pendants, sconces, lamps, dimmers, three-way light switches—you want to be able to change your lighting appropriately,” says Furth. “The kitchen needs a bright light for cooking but you’ll want the option to dim if you’re eating in there. Your bedroom and dining room need flattering light. Your living room needs a functional light for reading and in the bathroom, you need a strong light in front of your face to avoid shadows.”  Elizabeth Felicella 10. SEATING THAT IS NOT A SECTIONAL
“When you think of a bachelor pad, you think sectional...generally a leather one, but people can still get comfortable in a way that isn’t so expected,” says Miller, who recommends a sofa with chairs and ottomans as an alternative. Adds Carrier, “With a sectional, one person gets the chaise part, and there’s no room for a guest. With a sectional, someone always loses. This is the piece that means you’re going to stay a bachelor forever.” |