This Week's Find: Design Worthy of a Cover Article

• May 10th 2012

by Shilpi Paul

The owner of This Week’s Find transformed a plain one-bedroom into a stylish, hotel-like home that landed on the cover of a magazine.

Originally built as student housing, the units at The Archbold in Glover Park were designed to be utilitarian and simple. When Ernesto Santalla spotted one in 2006, he saw a blank slate.

The DC-based architect and designer went about tweaking wall placement, removing cabinets and designing custom furniture for the space. One of the biggest changes can be seen in the glass doors behind the couch in the living room. Those frosted doors replaced a wall separating the bathroom from the living room, a change Santalla executed to make the condo feel lighter and brighter. He also knocked down walls in the bathroom and walk-in closet area, creating a master bath and dressing room.

The kitchen has been divided from the rest of the main living area and the dining room now has a slightly dropped ceiling. The furniture — warm, modern structures that help create the “hotel-like” feeling described in the listing — were designed specifically for the condo, including the dining table, credenza and desk. They are available for purchase.

Santalla’s hard work was recognized in 2009, when his home was featured on the cover of Home and Design magazine.

More photos and details below.

• Full Listing: 2725 39th Street NW, #402 (map)
• Price: $435,000
• Bedrooms: One
• Bathrooms: One
• Square Footage: 724
• Listing Agent: John Eric, Washington Fine Properties

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This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/this_weeks_find_design_worthy_of_a_cover_article/5525.