At Home with Ricardo Ramos: The restaurateur shows off his bachelor pad in a former bra factory

^{Photo: MELISSA OSTROW}

If your description of the ideal bachelor pad begins and ends with the words "beer-pong table," it's time to hang up the toga and put the gravity bong on the shelf. That approach may have worked in your frat days, but grown men can't expect to seduce an overnight guest with a nightcap (or impress colleagues with after-work drinks) in a sticky-floored tribute to Animal House. So we love how Ricardo Ramos has tricked out his 1,300-square-foot loft. The co-owner of the Olé Restaurant Group (which includes spots like Zócalo) has created a space that is sophisticated, stylish, and pitch-perfect for a single guy. Our favorite part: it's located in what used to be an East Boston bra factory - which, when you think about it, isn't a bad place for a bachelor to rest his head.

A. Entertaining is a big part of Ramos's home life, and during a party, you might find him practicing his newfound DJ skills from behind his Pioneer CMX-3000 player and Marathon DJM-200 mixer. (He's been getting lessons from his brother, business partner, and fellow deep-house aficionado, Erwin Ramos.) And he keeps plenty of other playthings around: whether he's wailing on a punching bag or zoning out with some games on his Xbox 360, Ramos knows that, even in the most mature of bachelor pads, sometimes a boy just needs his toys.

B. "I've always loved loft living. It feels free and open," says Ramos. Spoken like a true bachelor. Of course, we can't all have 18-foot ceilings and a wall of massive windows with a cool view of airport takeoffs. (Ramos lives in a no-fly zone, though, so there's no noise.) His spacious top-floor space also provides access to a roof deck, and he'll soon install a spiral staircase that leads up directly from his living area. But here are a few tips anyone can employ to help a space feel open and airy: use simple shades, keep window areas uncluttered, and avoid placing big, boxy furniture in front of your view - even if it's just of
an alley.

C. The massive factory was converted to condos in 2005, but Ramos has retained much of the industrial feel. The exposed brick, concrete walls, and uncovered ductwork announce that the space has history and add a masculine edge.

D. Guys, there comes a point when "That's my mom's hand-me-down sofa" is no longer the appropriate response to the question "Where'd you get that?" Invest in a few sharp pieces. Ramos found these sleek counter chairs at City Schemes in Cambridge, while the low white leather couch is from Back Bay favorite Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. It's a sectional, perfect for rearranging to accommodate one of Ramos's not-infrequent swinging shindigs.

E. What's the key to creating a killer bachelor pad? Ramos's advice seems so obvious - and yet few seem to follow it. "Create a space that not just men will appreciate," he says. His priority: cleanliness, especially in the bathroom, and small details that show he takes care of his home and appreciates an aesthetic touch. "I always keep plants or fresh flowers in the space," says Ramos.