After purchasing a pied-à-terre in CityCenterDC, clients asked Ernesto Santalla to help them make the most of the space with better storage, improved finishes, and a contemporary look. Santalla’s master plan included the creation of a paneled wall that cleverly conceals storage and a media center.
| Then | Now |
| The wall dividing the living area from the bedroom had an awkward opening near the window. Its position made the bedroom too small. | The wall has been shifted to add space on the bedroom side. The awkward gap near the window has been closed off for privacy. |
| The long expanse of drywall in the living room was visually boring as well as useless. | The plain wall has been replaced with a paneled wall of gray-stained Tabu—a sustainable wood veneer—to create a sleek, modern focal point. |
| There was a dearth of storage space in the living area. | The paneled media center provides storage, a niche for the TV and a row of cabinets. Panels slide in front of the niche to maintain a clean-lined, uncluttered appearance. |
Interior Architecture & Design: Ernesto Santalla, AIA, LEED AP, Ernesto Santalla, Inc., Washington, DC. Contractor: Madden/CCI, LLC, Rockville, Maryland.
