A bachelor updates his University Park home with a fresh palette and the modern vision of DC designer Byron Risdon.
Since this was a second home, Risdon’s client wanted an aesthetic that was completely opposite of his traditionally designed primary residence.
THE PROJECT
Second homes are typically the design equivalent of an alter ego—a stretch for new identities and aesthetic explorations. A homeowner purchased a second home in College Heights near the University of Maryland with this philosophy in mind. His primary residence reflects a traditional vibe, and the bachelor wanted his new 2,100-square-foot property to boast more color, verve and youthfulness.
DC interior designer Byron Risdon.
THE TEAM
Byron Risdon, principal at Byron Risdon Interior Design Studio (byronrisdon.com), was selected to take on the project. “I like to understand how my clients live and want the space to feel,” says Risdon, who says he creates clean, comfortable, tailored spaces. “I always want to be sure my aesthetic is recognized, but their personality is reflected through that. I like my clients to be a part of the process, and they fully understand what they’re getting.”
Warm tones complement the bright hues of the furniture selections
THE GOALS
The home underwent a recent renovation, but it didn’t mirror the homeowner’s style. So, Risdon, a personal friend of his client, mapped out a vision for the first floor’s entertainment spaces, the openconcept living and dining rooms, and the split-level downstairs den. He also converted a carport into a bar and lounge space.
“My client’s biggest goal was for it to not feel like his previous home,” says Risdon. “And since I know him, I knew exactly what not to do. He was very particular about the style of furniture feeling new and modern.”
A table from Alder & Tweed and art Left bank grace the dining room.
LIVING & DINING ROOMS
“For these spaces, it was all about creating a fun vibe—a place where he could entertain friends and feel comfortable and current without being trendy.”
Risdon employed an area rug from Surya (surya.com) to line the living room, which also features a sofa from Uttermost (uttermost.com), a leather chair from West Elm (westelm.com), a coffee table from Four Hands (fourhands.com) and a media console and gorgeous chandelier from CB2 (cb2.com). The designer selected a dining table from Alder & Tweed (alderandtweed.com) and art from Leftbank Art (leftbankart.com).
The new lounge invites hours of conversation and relaxing with cocktails.
DEN & LOUNGE
While the den serves as an extension of the living and dining rooms in the home’s open floor plan, Risdon wanted it to feel like its own space. His goal: Add more texture, pattern and color. “I also wanted to keep the mod vibes going,” he says. The room features a Surya area rug, Mrundo Mthiyane (@mrundomthiyane_sa) art, a Poly & Bark (polyandbark.com) chair and a custom sofa.
“For the lounge, my client let me do what I wanted,” says Risdon. “I was inspired by the listening lounge of Jay Z’s L.A. Roc Nation offices. It has such the sultry, sexy vibe I also wanted that for this space. It transports you to a speakeasy and has a personality of its own without feeling like a total departure from the rest of the house.” A Loloi (loloirugs.com) rug lines the room, which showcases pieces like a CB2 chandelier, Vintage (vintagefurniturellc.com) swivel chairs and custom couch. Victor Ubahh (@victor.ubahh) artwork graces the room.
HOW THE HOME IS LIVING
“I do my best work when I’m given control,” says Risdon. “It makes a difference when you get to know your clients. In this case, we already knew each other, but it’s always my goal to fully understand my clients before working with them—it becomes such a close relationship while the project is underway.”
And the client? “We’re still friends, so obviously things didn’t go awry,” says Risdon, laughing. “He couldn’t be happier with the outcome. It’s exactly the feeling he was going for.”
An area rug from Surya lines the living room.
HOME DETAILS
HOME TYPE
Single-family
LOCATION
College Heights
INTERIOR DESIGN
Byron Risdon Interior Design Studio
RESOURCES
SURYA
Rug, living room, den surya.com
UTTERMOST
Sofa, living room uttermost.com
WEST ELM
Chair, living room westelm.com
FOUR HANDS
Coffee table, living room fourhands.com
CB2
Media console, living room, chandelier, dining room and lounge cb2.com
ALDER & TWEED
Table, dining room alderandtweed.com
LEFTBANK ART
Art, dining room leftbankart.com
MRUNDO MTHIYANE
Art, den @mrundomthiyane_sa
POLY & BARK
Chair, den polyandbark.com
LOLOI
Rug, lounge loloirugs.com
VICTOR UBAHH
Art, lounge @victor.ubahh
Photography by: KEYANNA BOWEN
