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My Houzz: Vintage and Upcycled Finds Personalise a Rented Flat
Sensitive styling has given this period property a warm, inviting feel while celebrating its original features
When flatmates Sarah Lyon and Carrie Waltemeyer were looking for a place to rent in Washington DC, they were immediately attracted to this elegant period apartment, part of a converted 1890s building. Keen to stay sympathetic to the property’s original features, the women combined their different styles, using vintage buys to create a welcoming home that’s full of period charm.
The flatmates initially connected with each other through their blogs. Sarah, seen on the left, is a Houzz contributor and works in alumni relations, and she was ready to move on from her previous apartment in Georgetown. Carrie works in communications and public relations, and wanted to move into the city after living in Virginia.
“We’d both been living alone and in some ways, this apartment still gives us that feeling,” says Carrie. “There are two distinct living areas that give us both a ton of privacy, but we also still have a shared living and dining space that’s great for catching up with each other and entertaining friends.”
“We’d both been living alone and in some ways, this apartment still gives us that feeling,” says Carrie. “There are two distinct living areas that give us both a ton of privacy, but we also still have a shared living and dining space that’s great for catching up with each other and entertaining friends.”
Two armchairs create a cosy little nook that looks out onto the busy street. “It’s a great place to sit and people-watch,” says Sarah. “In the autumn, we have a nice view of the foliage, which makes it an especially pretty place to sit.”
“We do see the occasional motorcade, given that we’re less than a mile from the White House,” adds Carrie.
The pair enjoy starting their mornings with a cup of coffee while sitting in these chairs. “In the winter, we kept our Christmas tree between both chairs,” says Sarah.
Hand-embroidered cushion, CatStudio. Edris floor lamp, Target.
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“We do see the occasional motorcade, given that we’re less than a mile from the White House,” adds Carrie.
The pair enjoy starting their mornings with a cup of coffee while sitting in these chairs. “In the winter, we kept our Christmas tree between both chairs,” says Sarah.
Hand-embroidered cushion, CatStudio. Edris floor lamp, Target.
Need styling advice? Search interior designers in your area in the Houzz Directory
The flatmates enjoy catching up with each other after work over dinner and a glass of wine in the shared dining space.
Atelier artwork by Makewells, Minted. Ekedalen dining table; PS 2012 dining chairs, all Ikea. Double gourd lamp base in Ancient Aqua; nailhead-trim lamshade in cream, both Target.
Atelier artwork by Makewells, Minted. Ekedalen dining table; PS 2012 dining chairs, all Ikea. Double gourd lamp base in Ancient Aqua; nailhead-trim lamshade in cream, both Target.
This vintage faux bamboo drinks trolley is from vintage store Miss Pixie’s in nearby Logan Circle. Sarah has collected most of the glasses from vintage and secondhand shops.
Shop drinks trolleys on Houzz
Shop drinks trolleys on Houzz
Sarah found the sideboard that doubles as a TV stand on Craigslist and had it painted white. “Stylist Emily Henderson provided inspiration when it came to arranging the built-in shelves in our living room,” says Sarah.
Take a look at another renter’s stylish living room in our London Design Festival pop-up, the DreamHouzz, then shop the look
Take a look at another renter’s stylish living room in our London Design Festival pop-up, the DreamHouzz, then shop the look
Carrie enjoys her spacious bedroom and having an en suite. “I wanted my room to have a cosy, relaxing feel and opted to keep bold colours to a minimum,” she says. “The majority of the space is clean, crisp white, with natural wood and small touches of blue and gold.”
Trinell headboard, Signature Design by Ashley, Amazon.
Trinell headboard, Signature Design by Ashley, Amazon.
“It’s hard to say exactly what my personal style is, but I knew I wanted my room to have an inviting, ‘stay a while’ feel to it,” says Carrie. “A lot of the major pieces are sentimental and have memories attached, so I often come in here and remember a funny story or a really happy memory. It’s a good reminder to just be thankful.”
The framed letters on top of the headboard are notes from her parents. “I wanted this to be a place where I could come and just feel as if I’m surrounded by the people and things that make me happy,” she says.
The framed letters on top of the headboard are notes from her parents. “I wanted this to be a place where I could come and just feel as if I’m surrounded by the people and things that make me happy,” she says.
Carrie uses a minimal wall shelf as a place to work and to display mementos.
Sarah’s bedroom is in a loft-like space. She wanted it to be simple and different from her previous apartment‘s décor. “I enjoyed my whimsical gallery wall prints and pink accents, but now I’m more drawn to the timeless, well-curated look and am trying not to get too trendy,” she says.
“I wanted my bedroom and its sitting area to reflect the historic nature of the property. One thing I’ve been into lately is Turkish rugs,” says Sarah. A rug found on Etsy is layered over a jute rug underneath her bed.
Upholstered headboard, Target.
“I wanted my bedroom and its sitting area to reflect the historic nature of the property. One thing I’ve been into lately is Turkish rugs,” says Sarah. A rug found on Etsy is layered over a jute rug underneath her bed.
Upholstered headboard, Target.
Sarah’s room is accessed via a narrow, wrought-iron spiral staircase. “This was definitely a challenge when we moved in,” she says. “Remarkably, the removal men got all of my furniture upstairs – even my mattress, bed frame and headboard – but it was a long, costly process!”
Sarah likes to redecorate frequently, so she’s learnt to be judicious about her purchases, as it can be difficult to transport furniture up and down the stairs.
Sarah likes to redecorate frequently, so she’s learnt to be judicious about her purchases, as it can be difficult to transport furniture up and down the stairs.
The elegant vintage wood dresser was found on Craigslist.
“I love all of the exposed brick – it was something I really wanted in a home,” says Sarah. “I included it in my Craigslist searches sometimes when browsing for apartments. I do like to hang pictures on the walls, so I’ve had to be more selective, as I don’t want to damage the brick, but I also like how it looks on its own.”
Gold Louis mirror, Ballard Designs.
“I love all of the exposed brick – it was something I really wanted in a home,” says Sarah. “I included it in my Craigslist searches sometimes when browsing for apartments. I do like to hang pictures on the walls, so I’ve had to be more selective, as I don’t want to damage the brick, but I also like how it looks on its own.”
Gold Louis mirror, Ballard Designs.
Sarah bought this secondhand dressing table and spray-painted it pale blue.
The apartment comes with a private roof terrace, where the flatmates grow plants and lounge with a book during summer. “I also use the roof to spray-paint furniture, which has made it easy to do DIYs,” says Sarah.
The apartment comes with a private roof terrace, where the flatmates grow plants and lounge with a book during summer. “I also use the roof to spray-paint furniture, which has made it easy to do DIYs,” says Sarah.
This cosy seating nook is at the top of the spiral staircase.
The landlord built a half wall to add some privacy to Sarah’s bedroom. “I like having this division of space – partly because it means there’s more of an opportunity to experiment with fun décor,” she says.
The upholstered and cane love seat was a local flea market find, and Sarah bought the matching chairs at a jumble sale. “Orange isn’t my usual colour of choice, but I wanted to mix things up a bit,” she says.
The gallery wall features artwork from flea markets and various prints bought online. A side table found at vintage shop Goodwill is used to display a sansevieria plant. “I’ve definitely become more of a plant lover in recent months and like adding greenery here and there,” says Sarah.
The landlord built a half wall to add some privacy to Sarah’s bedroom. “I like having this division of space – partly because it means there’s more of an opportunity to experiment with fun décor,” she says.
The upholstered and cane love seat was a local flea market find, and Sarah bought the matching chairs at a jumble sale. “Orange isn’t my usual colour of choice, but I wanted to mix things up a bit,” she says.
The gallery wall features artwork from flea markets and various prints bought online. A side table found at vintage shop Goodwill is used to display a sansevieria plant. “I’ve definitely become more of a plant lover in recent months and like adding greenery here and there,” says Sarah.
“There are a lot of interesting, old features,” Sarah says of the apartment’s period details. “There’s a wood-framed mirror attached to one of the walls in my bedroom that adds a lot of character. It definitely prompts some questions when people come in, because it isn’t something you’d expect to see in a downtown apartment,” she says.
A built-in shelf that hugs an irregular-shaped wall is used to display books and other items.
Tell us…
What do you think of this cleverly furnished apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments section
Tell us…
What do you think of this cleverly furnished apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments section
Who lives here Sarah Lyon and Carrie Waltemeyer
Location Dupont Circle area of Washington, DC, USA
Size Two bedrooms and two bathrooms; around 700 sq ft (65 sq m)
Year built 1890s
Photos by Ryan Hicks
Flatmates Sarah Lyon and Carrie Waltemeyer were drawn to the exposed brick, high ceilings and roof terrace of their Washington apartment, part of a converted 1890s building. “It’s located within the Dupont Circle neighbourhood, which is a vibrant, safe and central spot in the city, and the place itself is full of interesting architectural details,” Sarah says.
Together, the pair have blended their styles and filled the apartment with vintage finds. “I like to change things around frequently, but Carrie is supportive of my random midweek redecorating sprees,” Sarah says. “We wanted to make our living space welcoming and comfortable, and I think we’ve achieved that.”
Their shared living space includes a sofa and TV area that, as Carrie says, “is a good place to catch up and watch cheesy movies,” plus a dining area and a seating spot in the bay window.
“We hosted a Christmas brunch in this space and had a great time bringing our friends together,” says Sarah. “Everyone gathered on the sofa and around the coffee table to eat and catch up.”
Karlstad sofa, Ikea. Sauder cocktail coffee table, Amazon.