Makeover

Interior designer Dayna Rasschaert is a big-picture designer, but don’t think for a second that she’s not into soulful details, right down to this home’s front doorknob a piece by Water Street Brass that has coining and ribbing along the handle.

The owner of Bloomfield Hills-based Dayna Flory Interiors is crazy about other detail elements, too, like the custom-colored wallcovering in the foyer — a Quadrille piece that turned both the homeowners’ and the designer’s heads. “We loved the motion of it, but I didn’t want it too strong, so we custom-colored it in gold. It’s more subtle,” Rasschaert says. Then there’s the charming flamingo wallpaper in a children’s bathroom. “It’s very fun. I mean, you don’t want flamingos in certain rooms, but it works here!”

Each room in the five-bedroom, 4.5-bath Colonial includes creative touches and well-thoughtout furnishings that are both practical for a large family with three dogs and pretty. One of the most unique elements is the Schumacher fabric dining table. “Schumacher will laminate fabric or treat it with a coating, so basically the table is upholstered. It works great and you don’t have to worry about scratching or wear and tear,” Rasschaert says.

ROOM FOR ALL

Above and right: The handsome kitchen and breakfast nook are perfect for the large family. The island expands the seating area. Opposite page: A unique element is the Schumacher fabric table in the dining room.

Fun Throughout

Above: Pops of green and textured pieces in the den showcase the creativity of both the designer and the homeowners. Below: A chic carpet pattern in the dressing room is “one of my favorites of all time, a Missoni,” Rasschaert says.

Color details also wow, like the rich Benjamin Moore black paint that coats the pantry cabinetry, the front door (inside and out), and the living room fireplace. “The color has a blue undertone; it’s a beautiful black,” the designer says.

The goal was to update the 1990s interior of the classic Colonial and make the space function for a family of eight (including three grade-school-age kids) and a crew of pets. They had previously lived on a smaller lot in Birmingham and wanted more space for a larger yard and a pool, among other things.

Dog-friendly appeal comes in the way of several accents, including the rugs in the dining room and the den. “They’re cowhide and they’re indestructible. They’re also kid-friendly. You could spill anything on them and it would come out,” the designer says.

Although the team worked within the existing footprint, some of the layout was changed, including the dining room and stairway. “The staircase had a 5-inch handrail with a newel on the right side and was partially in the dining room. We encased the opening and added an arch, so it looks more like an intentional wall. It gives the stairway its own look,” Rasschaert explains.

More makeovers occurred in the living room, where a striking black fireplace, which used to look like an “old-fashioned wedding cake with scrolls and moldings everywhere” takes center stage. Rasschaert added clean lines and moldings, and today the fireplace warms up the space considerably — as does the artwork, which once hung in the homeowners’ master bedroom and is now displayed above the mantel. “It fits there perfectly,” Rasschaert says of the striking black-and-white piece depicting what appears to be a winged woman. The living room’s settee is covered in an indoor-outdoor Schumacher fabric, “so the white is forgiving,” Rasschaert explains. Detailed drapes in a cream and smoky-blue hue feature embroidery and beads.

“The homeowner’s distinctive style means the overall look is layers of elevated fun,” Rasschaert says. “Just like the family, the design is playful and energetic. It’s a happy house.”