Modern Meets Tudor

This Birmingham new-build features 21st-century amenities and all the charm and style of the 1920s

TEXT BY PATTY LANOUE STEARNS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BETH SINGER

“I grew up loving Tudors,” says Amy Konja, who, with her husband, Steve, had been searching for Tudors in hopes of finding one for their growing family. The couple decided to look at some of the Tudors in Birmingham’s Quarton Lake area. They still couldn’t find what they were looking for. For one thing, they discovered that while traditional Tudors are often gracious and filled with exquisite features and craftsmanship, they can also be dark and divided up into many small rooms, which is totally impractical by modern standards. Like everyone else in the market today, the Konjas wanted a large living space. They also wanted a staircase off the front door, and a proper library, like those found in so many old Tudors. The couple finally decided that to get exactly what they wanted, they had to build a new home — one with “1920s spirit; an open concept, but still cozy; and a place with moody moments,” Amy explains. She and Steve contacted Birmingham architect Brian Neeper. “We asked (Neeper) to think ‘Palmer Park Tudor’ as the inspiration for this home,” Amy says. Neeper drew up the plans for what would become a three-level, four-bedroom, four-bath, two-powder-room home with 6,450 square feet of finished space, two working gas fireplaces, and one faux fireplace in the main office. There’s also a second-floor laundry and a lower level with an entertainment area with a bar, as well as a gym. Off the bedroom near the garage, a second office nook with a built-in desk and shelves serves as the study area for the Konjas’ two daughters.

The Konjas also got the stairway they wanted, right inside the front door, along with a foyer with wainscoting and an arched entryway to the library. And for the modern lives they lead, the entire back of the house — which includes the kitchen, dining room, and great room — is wide open and full of light.

“When we started the process, I wanted to do the design myself,” says Amy, who has been partial to global design influences, particularly Asian, ever since she traveled with her parents as a child. “I had been planning this house in my head for 44 years.”

ISLAND TIME Uniquely patterned quartz countertops, comfortable Ballard Designs stools, and Newport Brass hardware, among other elements, make this kitchen super chic.

But out of the blue, just as those plans were taking form, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had to find someone to carry out her dream-home plans as she went through intensive treatments (thankfully, she’s fine now). A trusted friend recommended Birmingham’s Ellwood Interiors and fate brought her the firm’s senior interior designer, Victoria Shelley. The two clicked, and they hit the ground running, selecting everything from the brick and stucco colors of the exterior to the playful wall coverings in the children’s office and the laundry room.

“I would create mini-powerpoint presentations for Victoria and say, ‘This is my inspiration for this room,’ ’’ Amy says, “and she would come back with samples. She nailed it time and time again. By the end of the process, she could read

A NEW SPIN The laundry room’s pretty cabinetry, unique shelving, bright countertops, and Monocibec flooring from Virginia Tile make doing laundry a pleasure instead of a chore. “WHEN WE STARTED THE PROCESS, I WANTED TO DO THE DESIGN MYSELF. I HAD BEEN PLANNING THIS HOUSE IN MY HEAD FOR 44 YEARS.” — AMY KONJA

COLOR THEIR WORLD Both pages, clockwise from upper left: The master bedroom, library, office, and hallway entrance to the library all ooze with inviting color combinations and a fresh approach to mixing darks and lights. Each space features head-turning appeal.

my mind.”

Steve Konja had plenty of input into the design, as well. “Steve was the ‘modern’ to my ‘Tudor,’ ” Amy says. “He balanced things. I’d show him something dark and he’d say ‘No, something light.’ ”

Designer Shelley used a light color palette with bold contrasts in wall coverings, accessories, and rugs. Wainscoting and other fine touches contribute to a sense of Tudor charm.

“While a typical wainscot, seen in the foyer, would be in a dark stain, this home was updated with bright white paint. A Tudor arch — a shallow arch that culminates at a distinctive center point — frames the proper library and is perfectly centered on the room’s carved silver limestone fireplace. Diamond-pane windows in a black finish speak to the caming (grooved metal bars) that’s traditionally used,” the designer shares.

Asian-inspired prints and textures, which Amy adores, were incorporated into the modern/Tudor design in the draperies in the library, the wallpaper in several rooms, and in the master bath’s ottoman. Shelley also maximized space, storage, and function for the young family, with fabrics that are chic yet comfy and durable.

This home has everything the Konjas hoped for: It’s warm, welcoming, and wonderful.

What’s more, says Amy, it’s cool. “All the kids want to hang out at our house,” she says.

BUYER’S GUIDE

INTERIOR DESIGNER Victoria Shelley, Ellwood Interiors, Birmingham, ellwoodinteriors.com

BATHROOM, MASTER Bathtub – Signature Hardware Cabinetry – Hollywood Cabinets, Shelby Township Chandelier – Visual Comfort Drapery – Romo, Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy Flooring – Timeless Silver Travertine, Cercan Tile, Inc., Michigan Design Center, Troy Mirror – CVS Glass & Mirror, Clinton Township Ottoman – Custom, Ellwood Interiors, Birmingham, Laird’s Upholstery, Livonia; Fabric, Kravet and Pindler, Michigan Design Center, Troy Sconces – Visual Comfort Shelving, Built-In – Probuilt Woodworking, Macomb; Design, Brian Neeper Architecture, Birmingham Table, Occasional – Pottery Barn Tile (Inlay) – Olympia Tile, Beaver Tile and Stone, Michigan Design Center, Troy Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Intellectual Gray Wall Paneling – Probuilt Woodworking, Macomb; Ellwood Interiors, Birmingham

BEDROOM, MASTER Bedding – RH Ceiling Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Pure White Chairs – Charles Stewart Co. Drapery – Pindler, Michigan Design Center, Troy Fabrication, Drapery and Pillow –Decoroom Workroom, Lake Orion Light, Bedside – Arteriors Pillow, Accent – Great Plains, Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy Rug – STARK Carpet, Troy Table, Bedside – RH Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Elephant Ear Wallpaper – Phillip Jeffries, Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy

KITCHEN Bar Stools – Ballard Designs Cabinet Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Pure White Cabinetry – Hollywood Cabinets, Shelby Township Countertop – Mont Quartz, Diamond Granite, Shelby Township Hardware – Newport Brass, Herald Wholesale, Troy Hood – Hollywood Cabinets, Shelby Township Stove – ILVE Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Anew Gray

LAUNDRY ROOM Bins, Storage – Household Essentials Cabinetry – Hollywood Cabinets, Shelby Township Countertop – Diamond Granite, Shelby Township Flooring – Monocibec, Virginia Tile, Troy Shelves and Ceiling Rack – Etsy Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Worldly Gray Wallpaper – Astek Washer and Dryer – Maytag, Specialties Showroom, Berkley

LIBRARY Armchairs – RH Ceiling Treatment – Probuilt Woodworking, Macomb Chandelier – Visual Comfort Drapery – Fabrication, Decoroom Workroom, Lake Orion; Fabric, Schumacher, Michigan Design Center, Troy Fireplace – Genesee Cut Stone & Marble Co., Flint Lounger, Wingback – Theodore Alexander, Michigan Design Center, Troy Pillows, Accent – Ryan Studio Rug – STARK Carpet, Troy Shelves, Built-In – Probuilt Woodworking, Macomb; Ellwood Interiors, Birmingham Table, Occasional – West Elm Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Pure White, Naval, Elephant Ear

OFFICE Chair – Artistic Frame, Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy Chandelier – Pottery Barn Desk and Shelving – Probuilt Woodworking, Macomb; Ellwood Interiors, Birmingham Ottoman – Target Sconces – Arteriors Wall Inserts – Schumacher Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Felted Wool Window Seat Cushion – Pindler, Michigan Design Center, Troy Window Shade – Schumacher, Michigan Design Center, Troy

STUDY AREA, CHILDREN’S Flooring – Ceramica, Virginia Tile, Troy Shelf and Desk Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Urbane Bronze Shelves and Desk – Hollywood Cabinets, Shelby Township Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Silverplate Wallpaper – Lee Jofa, Kravet/Lee Jofa/ Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy

SPECIAL TOUCHES Left: A children’s homework nook keeps school items organized. Above: Pretty drapery, a Visual Comfort chandelier, and a custom ottoman highlight the master bathroom.