before
A bachelor with contemporary taste hired Syntha Harris-Wendel to overhaul his DC condo. The update would finish his great room with modern furniture and a clean, simple color palette. Harris-Wendel overcame challenges posed by an asymmetrical layout—and her client’s two mischievous cats—to achieve the look he wanted.
| Then | Now |
| Dull wood floors, a traditional fireplace surround, and Venetian blinds didn’t reflect the owner’s style. | African mahogany floors, a stainless-steel fireplace surround, and sleek window shades create a modern vibe. |
| The owner decided to start from scratch, replacing his outdated furniture with contemporary pieces. | Clean-lined, modern furnishings, including a sofa and cocktail table from Room & Board, reflect a contemporary aesthetic. |
| The room lacked adequate lighting; lamps were out of the question because of the cats. | New track lighting with playful curves adds light out of reach of the cats. |
| There was no ideal place for the TV. | Installed above the fireplace, the TV can be pulled out for easy viewing. |
INTERIOR DESIGN: SYNTHA HARRIS-WENDEL, AIDP, IDS, Storybook Rooms, LLC, Potomac, Maryland. CONTRACTOR: All Seasons Construction, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland. AUDIO-VISUAL: Custom Systems Integration, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia. PHOTOGRAPHY: MORGAN HOWARTH.