Detroit Design | Spring 2023

FRESH LOOKS

Expert touches of beauty in every room, from cottage-casual to main-home magnificence

CONTENTS 66

FEATURES

56 Fresh Start

A custom home complements its lakefront location.

66 New Beginning

Architectural firm returns to renovate a past project.

74 Lake House Legacy

After overcoming multiple site challenges, these homeowners have created a wonderful family gathering spot.

82 Second Act

A designer and a Birmingham homeowner team up to finish what they started.

90 Going with the Flow

After a massive face-lift, this contemporary home near Ann Arbor celebrates the Huron River’s every ripple.

102 Master Class

A team of oldschool craftsmen and a talented designer turned this down-to-thestuds Birmingham redo into a classic work of art.

COVER PHOTO BY JUSTIN MACONOCHIE; PHOTO THIS PAGE BY JAMES HAEFNER

40 DESIGNS ON: Lower-Level Luxe This inviting family and entertaining space exudes warmth with layers of neutral tones and a mix of natural elements.

42 SEASONS: Flower Power Daffodils make everything brighter in spring.

IN EVERY ISSUE

116 Bravo! You likely won’t see any molls in here, but The Upright has plenty of speakeasy vibes, thanks to VERSA.

PHOTO, LEFT, BY MARTIN VECCHIO; PHOTO, RIGHT, BY MATTEO MORRISON

SDGA

GARDELLA & ASSOCIATES

gardellabuild.com

design is essential ~ execution is critical

design is essential ~ execution is critical

Architecture: C-Arc Design Group

Interiors: Asmar Interiors

Photography: Beth Singer

PULL UP A CHAIR!

One of my brothers recently texted me out of the blue to ask if I still had “the table” from our youth. Um, yep! There’s no way I’d ever sell it or give it away. That round pine beauty, with its accompanying chairs for eight siblings, was the center of my childhood. It was custom-made on the East Coast for my parents and was around before I was born, and it’s where everything happened.

So much life occurred around that table: playing cards, doing homework, planning trips, reading the paper, filling in crossword puzzles, perusing catalogs, drinking coffee, cleaning silver and brass, putting together photo albums. It’s where we gathered for everyday meals, and on special occasions it became an overflow table when the dining room couldn’t accommodate everyone.

Tables exude personality and can instantly transport us to days gone by. We feature a lot of them in this issue, including the one on the cover, located in a historic Mackinac Island cottage. Kevin Serba, of Serba Interiors, tells me the cottage’s English pine table (circa 1890) is a centerpiece in the light-filled dining space and maximizes seating for family gatherings. “The warm rustic pine is a great contrast to the soft white beadboard walls,” he says.

Theresa Angelini, of Angelini & Associates Architects, says the dining room table in the home she helped design in this issue (see page 90) is a generously sized wood-topped table. “It seems ironic that as people downsize, their needs grow for a larger dining table,” she says. She adores the table she and her architect husband, Brad, have in their own home. She found it at Ann Arbor’s Treasure Mart, and it can expand to accommodate 12 — tightly — at Christmas. “It’s the perfect size and shape, even if it’s a little damaged,” she says.

Speaking of Christmas, Brad says dining with family reminds him of his father’s antique glassware and China collection. “Our usual everyday Melmac dishware, nondescript flatware, and heavy-duty glassware were replaced at Christmas with antique pink and green Depression Era glass plates, Cambridge Rose Point goblets, and other fancy elements.” How elegant!

Lou DesRosiers of DesRosiers Architects, whose work is featured in the story titled “New Beginning,” notes that a home’s dining table is a focal point where everyone can “gather in their daily living.” He recalls having meals as a child at a burnt, wire-brushed hexagonal pine table made from the same wood the pews at St. Hugo of the Hills Parish in Bloomfield Hills were built from (his father, Arthur, designed the church in 1930). Talk about soul food!

More heartfelt memories come from designer Barbi Stalburg Kasoff, of Stalburg Design, whose featured project, showcased beginning on page 56, has plenty of dining spots. As for her own home, she says her dining room table is a 1920s beauty her grandfather purchased in Detroit. Eventually, it ended up with Kasoff. “Being a designer, I couldn’t leave the table alone,” she says. She took it to Guaranteed Furniture Services and they “lovingly stripped that table down and stained it a custom high-gloss. I loved seeing my dad and my 96-year-old aunt sitting at the table they grew up with. I’m glad I have a piece of the family with me.”

I’m with you on that, Barbi, and the others whose table stories evoke a sense of family togetherness.

My message back to my brother was this: I’m keeping the old pine table, but I look forward to having dinner with you around it soon!

PUBLISHER Jason Hosko

EDITORIAL

EDITOR Megan Swoyer

COPY EDITOR Anne Berry Daugherty

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tracy Donohue, Jamie Fabbri, Jeanine Matlow, Giuseppa Nadrowski, Patty LaNoue Stearns, Khristi Zimmeth

ART

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lindsay Richards

ART DIRECTOR Justin Stenson

SENIOR PRODUCTION ARTIST Stephanie Daniel

JUNIOR ART DIRECTOR Steven Prokuda

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS Jeff Garland, James Haefner, Jean Lannen, Adam Liddicoatt, Matak Photography, Matteo Morrison, Beth Singer, Martin Vecchio

ADVERTISING SALES

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Cynthia Barnhart, Regan Blissett, Karli Brown, Maya Gossett, Donna Kassab, Lisa LaBelle, Mary Pantely and Associates, Jessica VanDerMaas

PRODUCTION

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Jenine Knox

SENIOR PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Jill Berry

AD COORDINATOR Amanda Kozlowski

PREPRESS ARTIST Jonathan Boedecker

GRAPHIC ARTISTS Jim Bibart, Kathryn Dave

WEB

DIGITAL DIRECTOR Nick Britsky

DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Matt Cappo

DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS Jim Bowser, Marissa Jacklyn, Luanne Lim, Kevin Pell

VIDEO PRODUCER Nicole Toporowski

VIDEO EDITOR Taylor Lutz

DIGITAL STRATEGY MANAGER Travis Cleveland

DIGITAL MEDIA ASSISTANT Robyn Banks

IT

IT DIRECTOR Jeremy Leland

CIRCULATION

DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

Geralyn Wilson

CIRCULATION MANAGER Riley Meyers

CIRCULATION COORDINATORS David Benvenuto, Cathy Krajenke, Rachel Moulden, Michele Wold

MARKETING AND EVENTS

MARKETING AND EVENTS MANAGER Jodie Svagr

COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS LEAD Cathleen

Francois

MARKETING AND EVENTS COORDINATOR Jaime

Presnail

MARKETING AND EVENTS INTERNS Crystal Baker, Elassia Elias

MARKETING RESEARCH DIRECTOR Sofia Shevin

MARKETING RESEARCH COORDINATORS Georgia

Iden, Kristin Mingo

MARKETING RESEARCH SALES COORDINATOR

Alexandra Thompson

MARKETING RESEARCH ASSISTANT Alyssa Fueri

PRS GRAPHIC DESIGNER Alexa Dyer

BUSINESS

CEO Stefan Wanczyk

PRESIDENT John Balardo

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS Kathie Gorecki

PUBLISHING AND SALES COORDINATOR Mikala Bart

ASSISTANT OFFICE MANAGER Natasha Bajju

SENIOR ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE Andrew Kotzian

ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATES Sammi Dick, Austin Schmelzle

DISTRIBUTION Target Distribution, Troy

Postmaster:

GINGHAM! GO

Little checks in strong colors add instant charm to your interiors

STYLED BY JAMIE FABBRI

1. Your pup will rest in style on this HARRY BARKER Buffalo Check Envelope Dog Bed. $120-$160, Williams-Sonoma, harrybarker.com, williams-sonoma.com

2. SCHUMACHER’s Willa Large Check wallpaper is a playful, modern statementmaker. To the trade, Schumacher, Michigan Design Center, Troy, fschumacher.com, michigandesign.com

3. SCHUMACHER’s Bergen Plaid in sky is a stylish multipurpose fabric that plays well with other patterns. To the trade, Schumacher, Michigan Design Center, Troy, fschumacher.com, michigandesign.com.

4. The MACKENZIECHILDS’ Sterling Check Enamel Salt & Pepper Shakers and Large Canister complement any kitchen décor. $65$118, Neiman Marcus, Troy, mackenziechilds.com, neimanmarcus.com.

5. The Carsten Check fabric by BRUNSCHWIG & FILS comes in a variety of bold colors. To the trade, Kravet | Lee Jofa | Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy, kravet.com, michigandesign.com.

6. Rosaly Tape, by SCHUMACHER, adds a sweet touch with a textured fringe. To the trade, Schumacher,

Michigan Design Center, Troy, fschumacher.com, michigandesign.com.

7. Perennials Classic Gingham Pillow Covers from SERENA & LILY are always chic and timeless. $158, Serena & Lily, Birmingham, serenaandlily.com.

8. The Louis XVI Blue and White Gingham Upholstered Marquise Armchair from 1STDIBS is a classic. $8,500, 1stdibs.com.

TIME TEA

Pretty saucers, cups, pots, and more inspire a lovely afternoon tradition

STYLED BY JAMIE FABBRI

1. The Sprig & Vine tea cup and saucer by LENOX bring the beauty and bright colors of a lush English garden into your home. $40, danielhouse.club, lenox.com.

2. Your guests will sit pretty in these Chinese Chippendale Side Chairs by CASA BRANCA. $4,200/two, casabranca.com.

3. This Clever Creatures Henrietta Pot by JULISKA provides a sweet home for your honey. $88, The Italian Dish, Birmingham, juliska.com, theitaliandish.com

4. Every tea party needs this multicolored Chinoiserie Floral Cylinder Tea Jar by LEGEND OF ASIA $438, danielhouse.club, legendofasia.com.

5. CASA BRANCA’s Fleurette Cocktail Napkins are soft, chic, and feminine. $160/ four, casabranca.com.

6. Serve snacks in style with these VILLEROY & BOCH Rose Garden Plates. $40-60, Macy’s, multiple locations, macys.com, villeroyboch.com.

7. FORTNUM & MASON’s Teapot Tea Infuser makes the perfect party favor or addition to your table. $99.95, WilliamsSonoma, multiple locations, fortnum andmason.com, williams-sonoma.com.

8. WEDGWOOD’s Butterfly Bloom Tea for One combines a teapot, cup, and saucer. $220, Williams-Sonoma, multiple locations, wedgwood.com, williams-sonoma.com.

1. Add your favorite greenery to this Turtle Planter from ANTHROPOLOGIE $38, Anthropologie, multiple locations, anthropologie.com.

2. Citrus Garden Pillows by SCHUMACHER are charming and whimsical for indoor or outdoor use. To the trade, Schumacher, Michigan Design Center, Troy, fschumacher.com, michigandesign.com

3. You’ll feel like you’re in paradise with SERENA & LILY’s Breakers Floor Lamp. $2,598, Serena & Lily, Birmingham, serenaandlily.com

4. Bluebell Wallcovering by COLE & SON sets a pretty and soft vibe.

TROPICAL TRULY

Oh, how we love garden-inspired adornments

STYLED BY JAMIE FABBRI

Daniel House Club, $198/ roll, danielhouse.club.

5. The Mambo Print – Leaf from BRUNSCHWIG & FILS is a standout from the new Majorelle collection, named after the famous Le Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech. To the trade, Kravet | Lee Jofa | Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy, kravet.com, michigandesign.com.

6. A Gilded Porcelain Dahlia by AERIN is a beautiful addition to a vanity. $325, Neiman Marcus, Troy, aerin.com, neimanmarcus.com.

7. The Cuerda Chaise Lounge by MCGUIRE is an expression of comfort and simple luxury. Price upon request, Baker | McGuire, Michigan Design Center, Troy, bakerfurniture.com, michigandesign.com

8. BRUNSCHWIG & FILS’ Diani Print is fresh and bright. To the trade, Kravet | Lee Jofa | Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy, kravet.com, michigandesign.com.

ROOTED IN BEAUTY

Matt Mosher worked his landscaping magic in Bloomfield Hills. The plants are intended to break up the hard lines of the pool area (not shown) and soften the overall feel.

LIFESTYLES

30

SNAPSHOT: SHOWING COLORS

34

SNAPSHOT: PLAIN TO PLENTIFUL

38

SNAPSHOT: COOL AND CALM

40

DESIGNS ON: LOWER-LEVEL LUXE

42

SEASONS: FLOWER POWER

PHOTO BY MATAK PHOTOGRAPHY

Showing Their Colors

A kitchen designer and her clients embrace a fresh green hue

TEXT BY MEGAN SWOYER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN VECCHIO

When designer Jeanine Yancy embarked on a kitchen project in a newconstruction home for a Milford couple with three grown daughters, it was with great enthusiasm. The reason? The brave cabinet-color selection, a Sherwin-Williams shade called Pewter Green. “I love it,” says Yancy, a senior designer for KSI Kitchen & Bath’s Brighton location. “It’s fun, and it’s nice to get something different. It’s certainly gotten a lot

of attention. This green kitchen has been an inspiration for other projects I’ve worked on since.”

The contractor, working with Stone Hollow Properties & Development in Milford, purchased the cabinets from KSI. “The homeowner made a lot of the kitchen design choices. She has an eye for design and style,” says Yancy, who assisted with the layout and cabinet orders.

PAINT IT!

“I was going to do black cabinets,” recalls homeowner Anna Rihtarshich. “This is the third house that we’ve built and we always had white cabinets. My daughter mentioned green, and I thought no, that’s not me. Too risky.”

To find out if they would embrace green they way they thought they would, Yancy ordered a sample of the paint for the cabinets (by Merillat Cabinetry).

The green kitchen in this Milford home is all the rage, says designer Jeanine Yancy of KSI Kitchen & Bath’s Brighton location.

“It’s the best decision I ever made,” Rihtarshich says. “It’s not trendy to me; it has warmth, and I’ll never grow tired of it. We all love it.” Brass hardware complements the color perfectly.

Considering must-have elements, Yancy said they were sure to include large drawers. “And, of course, we wanted to be sure the arrangement had the fridge not too far from the corner pantry and range.”

“I love our black Italian stove,” Rihtarshich says. “The vintage look mixed in beautifully with the modern farmhouse style and cabinets.”

The homeowner also wanted a bar area. “We knew we wanted glass at the tops of the stacked cabinets, but we were unsure about how much glass to do in other areas and where it should come down to the countertop,” Yancy says. “We decided to have glass at the bar but keep the countertop space, and have the glass come down to the counter for display by the sink.”

SO MUCH BEAUTY Large drawers, glass-front cabinets, brass hardware, and a handy bar/coffee area round out the appointments.

A narrow drawer for cookie sheets and cutting boards near the range also comes in handy.

As for the island, Rihtarshich says with three daughters, they knew they wanted a big island that they’d all fit at comfortably. “Also, it has a great amount of storage space,” she says. “We never had a microwave in our island before and I love that it’s not taking up space in my upper cabinet area or above the stove.” Rihtarshich’s husband came up with the idea of using butcher block for the countertop. “It’s from end to end, so we don’t have a seam. We use it all the time and the more I use it, the better-looking it gets,” she says. “There are some knife marks on it, and you can tell this kitchen just isn’t for looks but for lots of cooking.”

To those who are considering a bit of a daring color in their kitchen, Yancy says go for it. “If you like it, get it. You’re going to have the kitchen for a long time. Don’t worry about the trends. When someone wants to use color, I’m excited about that.”

MORE INFORMATION: ksikitchens.com

MIX MASTER

The stools’ wood tones complement the cabinetry’s “Pewter Green” shade. Narrow drawers for cutting boards and whatnot create convenient storage.

Plain to Plentiful

Transforming a Franklin garden into a relaxing retreat

TEXT BY GIUSEPPA NADROWSKI

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATAK PHOTOGRAPHY

For Amy Schimmel Bessolo, a landscape architect at Pontiac’s Goldner Walsh Garden and Home, a recently completed project in Franklin (and a stop on Franklin’s 2021 spring garden walk) began simply, with a vision of “elaborating the backyard to make some useable spaces.”

The end result, however, is far from that. Bessolo and her team at Goldner Walsh, along with Derek Spurlock of Spurlock’s Natural Stone and Brick Paving, transformed a one-plus-acre lot into a breathtaking retreat complete with a stunning array of specimen trees and perennials, limestone paths, a wooden observation deck, and a multilevel stream that rolls down the property into a large koi pond.

The project, which began in 2014 when the homeowners wanted to elevate their minimally landscaped lot, expanded over multiple phases and years, and was completed in 2021. “They had a pergola and a sitting space when I started, but it was just a very large piece of land with plenty of room to sprawl out,” Bessolo recalls.

DREAMY

Both pages, clockwise from far left: Waterfalls, limestone paths, and a gorgeous combination of flowers and plants, along with a large koi pond, create a splendid retreat at this home.

Landscape architect Amy Schimmel Bessolo’s goal was to develop several useable and breathtaking spaces. Goals met, and then some!

A decision to clear the land of scrub growth gave the landscape architect the ability to create the relaxing escape the homeowners longed for.

Among their requests was to add a koi pond. Bessolo recommended that it be designed and installed by Spurlock. Around the pond, Bessolo added a beautiful dawn redwood specimen tree, along with multiple river birch trees whose appreciation for water-loving soil made them an ideal choice for the area.

“The homeowner is a big tree guy and he loved coming to the nursery and picking out unique specimens,” Bessolo says. “Everything that went in was hand-selected by him and me from the nursery. He wanted it to look old and established; he didn’t want it to look like a new landscape.”

To accomplish that goal, dogwood, serviceberry, paperbark maple, forest pansy redbud, several varieties of Japanese maples, and more rare and unique specimens such as a red obelisk beech tree and a weeping Norway spruce were added to the design plan. “While there are a lot of unique specimens within the landscape, it really feels natural,” Bessolo says.

The addition of two limestone staircases on each side of the home gives the homeowners multiple access paths to the property’s lower level. Recently, a wooden observation deck was installed by Spurlock to provide yet another opportunity for the homeowners to unwind. “The finished design really immerses you and makes you feel completely surrounded by the landscape,” Bessolo says. “It’s not a big space, but it’s enough to have a table for two and it’s a great space to enjoy a cup of coffee or glass of wine.”

The observation deck, which is positioned at the center of the yard’s slope, is an ideal space for viewing and listening to one of the waterfalls that are part of the stream. Installed by Spurlock, the stream looks as if it were

a natural part of the land, with several levels of pooling water and multiple stone bridges. Bessolo made it “all melt into the landscape,” thanks to the perennial gardens she had planted not only to hug the borders of the stream and pond, but to wind throughout the dreamlike property and its stunning hardscape spaces.

The landscaper says selecting the right materials proved to be one of her biggest challenges, as each item needed to be resistant to the local deer population. Today, the gardens bloom with more than 25 different perennial varieties including ligularia, hellebore, Virginia bluebells, ferns, brunnera, pulmonaria, iris, and Japanese forest grass.

“A lot of times when you add on to a project, it looks like you added on. But that’s not the case with this project. It feels very consistent, and I think that’s because the same team worked on it the whole time,” Bessolo says, referring to the crews at Spurlock and Goldner Walsh. “This was a team effort by both of our companies and the homeowners.

“It really came together; it’s an oasis from the outside world.”

MORE INFORMATION: goldnerwalsh.com

FOLLOW THE PATH Landscape architect Amy Schimmel Bessolo calls the verdant gardens and their variety of eye candy “an oasis from the outside world.”

Cool and Calm

A reimagined backyard space complements a home’s original architecture

TEXT BY TRACY DONOHUE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATAK PHOTOGRAPHY

At age 17, Matt Mosher decided to start his own landscaping business, which is now called Mosher Design Co. and specializes in high-end residential and boutique commercial landscape architecture projects. “I knew nothing at the time, but with hard work, perseverance, educating myself, and mentors, I’ve built a business that focuses on highly specialized unique spaces,” he says.

The Royal Oak-based company recently completed a project in

Bloomfield Hills that enhances the renovation of a traditional Mid-century home with a reimagined backyard space that Mosher says “blends modern with Mid-century Modern flair, respects the history of the lot, and keeps with the house’s architecture.”

He explains that the inspiration for a landscape

PERENNIALS PLUS!

Above: Stunning landscaping now adorns the yard of a renovated Mid-century home, thanks to Mosher Design Co.

SOULFUL SERENITY

Right: One of the focal points is a Buddha sculpture the homeowners found and wanted to include in their new design.

design project focuses on the client and the style of the home. “I like to get into a client’s head, and I pay attention to the things that are important to them, both inside their home and outside, to blend the two.”

For this project, a focal point is a Buddha sculpture the homeowners found and wanted included in their new backyard design. “It’s a peaceful sculptural element that’s symbolic of calmness,” Mosher says. “It was important that the eye should land on this interesting element that reflects the clients, so we had to frame it properly.”

Quick Fire hydrangea. The plants are intended to break up the hardlines of the pool area and, along with stones, soften the overall image.

DIP TIME

Matt Mosher managed to salvage the original pool, which he believed to be a sculptural piece worth saving.

As part of this landscape project, Mosher was committed to salvaging an existing inground pool that the homeowners originally wanted replaced. “I felt that the pool was a sculptural piece and complemented the house. It was in rough shape, but we were able to restore it.”

According to Mosher, the landscaping around the pool area highlights three primary perennial elements: flowering onion, hameln fountain grass, and little

“It’s always a challenge with a renovation like this, as you’re dealing with existing elements such as the floor height of the house, which affects the view, and the placement of the pool, which is such a strong architectural piece,” Mosher says. “Then you need to balance these elements to allow the design to flow correctly to the eye.”

Unsurprisingly, Mosher’s favorite part of the project is the restored pool area. “The pool is great. I especially appreciate that the client allowed me to do what I would do if it was my house — salvage the original pool and edit down around it for a calm, clean, modern landscape that complements the renovated house.” MORE INFORMATION: mosherdesignco.com

Lower-Level Luxe

This inviting family and entertaining space exudes warmth with layers of neutral tones and a mix of natural elements

TEXT BY MEGAN SWOYER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTEO MORRISON

It was a blank canvas, a white box,” interior designer Anna Versaci recalls, describing a recent makeover on a lower-level space in a Birmingham home. Her main goal was to create a hang-out spot the family would use often. “It’s larger than the upstairs living area,” she says, so the lower level — whose kitchen leads out to a pool and patio/grilling area — can work for entertaining and hosting parties.

built around two pieces of art the homeowners already owned.

A SEAT

Versaci, who had been working with the homeowners on other projects around the house, says the main room felt really big and “kind of disconnected from the kitchen.” Now, a custom dry bar, located opposite the television wall, connects the two areas. “The dry bar connects the kitchen to the living space,” Versaci says, explaining that the bar was

Versaci, who’s based in Beverly Hills, worked with Vogue Furniture on the bar and a custom floating credenza on the opposite wall. She also designed built-ins that hold books, photos, and special objects. “The homeowners didn’t want anything about this space to read ‘basement,’ ” Versaci says. “They wanted this to feel like the main living/entertaining area. The built-ins really accomplish that by elevating it to a custom look.”

HAVE

The spacious room can accommodate several friends and family members.

Now, with warm neutrals showcased in a layered look, the space flows with the rest of the home.

“When we first started working together, the homeowners, who have a baby girl, sent me a link to an inspiration home. I remember thinking it was warm and simple, and (there wasn’t) a ton of color, but it still didn’t feel cold.” The designer notes that adding black provides contrast. “I like to get into the minds of my clients to find out what they love. She said I nailed it! That’s the fun part about designing — the psychology behind what a client wants. She couldn’t articulate what she loves about it, but she does.”

Sconces designed by Versaci from The Urban Electric Co. add a nice touch. “We went

with brass and matched the countertop wood (a cerused, two-tone oak in a black finish),” the designer says.

The table behind the sofa was created by Bruce Campbell Designs. “We didn’t want it to compete, and wanted the space to feel warm. The table is just the right height — not higher than the sofa, and just a touch lower. It also works well with the stools,” Versaci says.

The stools and end tables are from Charleston Forge. “It’s important to feature different materials and elements; the end tables combine wood, metal, glass, and a leather sling,” Versaci notes.

A Vanguard furniture chair and pillow, both in Pindler fabrics, welcome readers or those who just wish to relax. “I love the exposed wood arms. It feels elegant,” Versaci says. The large Lee Industries mohair ottoman contrasts with the chair but still complements the overall look. Wool Stark carpet ensures a cozy feel.

One challenge was working with windows the clients didn’t want to emphasize. “That was a bit tricky. We didn’t want to draw attention to them; they were off-centered a bit.” The result is that a long, low-floating console piece, which anchors the large TV, is meant to draw the eye to center.

As for partnering with Royal Oak-based Vogue, Versaci says working with them is a dream. “Any designer would say that they’re the real deal and can do anything you envision.”

MORE INFORMATION: annaversacidesign.com

TABLE TALK

A custom wood sofa table (inset) by Bruce Campbell Designs adds instant warmth.

RAISING THE BAR “The dry bar connects the kitchen to the living space,” interior designer Anna Versarci says.

Flower Power

Daffodils make everything brighter in spring

TEXT BY JEANINE MATLOW PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN LANNEN

Planted in the fall so they’ll burst forth from the ground come spring, daffodils are popular for a good reason. For starters, these hardy perennials with a sunny disposition return year after year. Rob Yedinak, a buyer for Detroit Garden Works in Sylvan Lake, says another reason people are drawn to daffodils is because they have a better chance of multiplying over tulips if planted in areas that are favorable. And since they’re toxic to animals, deer and other creatures won’t disturb them.

At Detroit Garden Works, daffodils are planted in pots in the fall and stored in temperature-controlled rooms during the winter. “They’re also pretty easy to grow in the ground,” Yedinak says. “You want to get them at the proper depth. Each is slightly different, so you can just follow the instructions. Some people add bone meal or fertilizers, but daffodils are like buying a little battery pack. They’re already charged up and ready to go next spring.”

Gretchen Giles, owner of JJ Cardinal’s Wild Bird & Nature Store in Grand Blanc — an eclectic shop for bird essentials, garden and art supplies, and gifts — also appreciates the magic of daffodils. “You plant the bulbs in the fall and they bloom in the spring,” she says.

The less interference, the better, she adds. “The biggest mistake people make with daffodils is that you can’t cut them back right away,” she explains. “Cutting the seed head off is a good idea, but you don’t want to cut the leaves too early, or braid them.” Instead, she suggests

waiting until they start to fade and change color. “You can give them some slow-release fertilizer during the blooming period, but daffodils are the simplest of all the bulbs. They’re dependable and reliable,” Giles continues. As far as special care goes, “They can’t be in a spot that lays wet all winter long, and they do need six to eight hours of sunlight.”

While daffodils come in a variety of shades of yellow, white, and orange, the bright yellow in the spring is just happy, Giles adds. “Daffodils are so constant and so consistent. With a wide range of bloom periods, you can get two months of plants that are easy compared to tulips.”

Want to take in millions? Belle Isle is a veritable treasure trove of bright beauty in April. You can help the cause by attending the fabulous annual Daffodils4Detroit Luncheon, which will be held at noon on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at the Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle. Tickets are $50 for the event, set to feature speaker John Gallagher on The Return of Detroit, as well as retail shopping and works by artist Judy Duffy of Little Cottage Designs. Daffodils4Detroit’s goal is to plant 4 million daffodil bulbs in the tri-county area (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb). The initial goal was to plant 650,000 bulbs on Belle Isle, to represent each resident of Detroit. Since the beginning of the project, members of the group have planted more than 3.5 million bulbs. More information: detroitgardenworks.com, jjcardinal.com, michdivwnfga.org/daffodils4detroit.html.

SUNNY SIDE UP

Whether at bud stage, left, or in full bloom, top, daffodils’ verdant green and bright yellow coloring says spring has sprung!

HOW ENCHANTING

The most recent renovation to this Mackinac Island home included gutting everything except for the staircase, the living room, shown here, and one original bedroom.

PAST PRESENT

TEXT BY KHRISTI ZIMMETH

SENSITIVE RENOVATIONS TO AN 1870S MACKINAC ISLAND COTTAGE MAKE IT BETTER THAN EVER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTIN MACONOCHIE

A HISTORIC MARKER

near the 1870s-era house on Mackinac Island known as “The Lilacs” tells the story: “Inspired by the City Beautiful Movement and the 1880s trend to create summer homes for wealthy urbanites eager to escape industrial cities, the Annex was among the first planned summer communities in Michigan,” it explains.

Developed by Chicago businessman and fur trader Gurdon Hubbard and still known as Hubbard’s Annex, “the neighborhood is an important part of Mackinac Island history,” explains homeowner Melissa Gembis, who with her husband, Jeff, now owns the 19th-century house that Hubbard built for himself on the southern bluff of the iconic island.

The island had become the country’s second national park in 1875 and Hubbard, who had lost his fortune in the Chicago fire of 1871, decided to develop a resort hotel and 132-lot cottage community on his 80 acres of Mackinac land. The hotel was never built, but Hubbard’s cottage

Above: A historic marker near the Gembises’ home tells the story of the charming summercottage community.

Right: The original home didn’t have a kitchen; families would gather at the community eating house. Today there’s plenty of space for family and friends to cook and dine together

SUMMER GETAWAY

“THERE’S A LOT OF HISTORY HERE. WE’RE TRYING TO BE GOOD STEWARDS FOR THE PROPERTY AND FOR THE GENERATIONS TO COME.”

— MELISSA GEMBIS

community still thrives today. His Queen Anne-style house was bought by Gembis’ great-grandparents in 1928, and both she and her 85-year-old mother have fond memories of growing up spending summers on the island and in the house.

Not surprisingly, a number of changes have been made throughout the home’s long history. Gembis’ father renovated the house in 1993, shoring up the foundation, adding space, and reconfiguring some rooms for better livability and flow. Among the first-floor changes: turning the one-time kitchen into a guest room, carving a new kitchen out of small former bedrooms and a first-floor bath, converting a screened-in porch into a four-season space, and adding a

LOFT LIVING

Both pages: A horse stable and upstairs loft apartment were built on the property in 2017. The apartment ensures there’s plenty of room for guests.

PARTY READY

Opposite page: The home desperately needed a dining room — a fact that prompted the 2019 renovation. “We would have 20 people over and there was no place to eat,” homeowner Melissa Gembis recalls.

Now, an inviting layout with plenty of natural light welcomes.

laundry room. Upstairs, he removed a bathroom to create a new primary bedroom and turned another bedroom into two baths.

By the time Gembis and her husband, Jeff, took ownership in 2014, the interior needed another face-lift, she acknowledges, as well as “more space to accommodate three generations.” It also desperately needed a dining room — a fact that prompted another renovation in 2019. “We would have 20 people over and there was no place to eat,” Gembis says.

At the time it was built, the home didn’t have a kitchen. Families would gather at the community eating house, the homeowner explains. A kitchen had been added along the way, but there was never a dining area, a fact that became increasingly problematic as the family grew. The recent renovation added a dining area/breakfast

room as an extension of the kitchen. Once the current owners decided to add an eating area, plans snowballed. “We figured since we were doing the downstairs, we might as well go upstairs, too,” Gembis explains.

The family enlisted the help of designers Kevin Serba and John Rattray, of Serba Interiors, whom they had worked with on their home in Birmingham and an earlier horse stable and upstairs loft apartment built on the Mackinac property in 2017. The designers, who work often on historic structures, were “thrilled” to be asked, Rattray says.

The designers’ goal was to update the house while being “true to the architecture and age of the structure,” Rattray explains. That meant “gutting everything except for the staircase, the living room, and one original bedroom,” Gembis adds.

Above: The sitting area features comfy arm chairs and, apropos-for-the-island, antique horse cut-outs.

VINTAGE VIBES

BATHING BEAUTY

An updated bathroom oozes charm, thanks to its historically accurate design — from the clawfoot tub to the old-style tile.

SLEEPING QUARTERS

These bedroom vignettes showcase the homeowners’ love of antiques and their designers’ astute ability to procure a mix of wonderful elements. With a big nod to the past, the spaces are imbued with antiques, both rich and muted colors, delightful shiplap treatment, and other decades-old accents.

The three-year renovation included a large addition off the back of the cottage that allowed for the larger kitchen, along with a new dining area, a mudroom entry, and a first-floor owner’s suite that opens to a new screened porch. Upstairs, the extra space allowed bedrooms and bathrooms to be reworked and renovated. “We added a full bath, a half bath, and two bedrooms. The two side-by-side bathrooms that my dad added in 1993 were gutted during our renovation and made into one bathroom,” Gembis says.

“In the end, quite a bit of space was added to the overall structure, but each new space maintains the scale and proportion typical of the time period of the original home,” Rattray adds.

“The main priority was to be true to the architecture and age of the structure when selecting materials and furnishings,” Rattray continues. “It was crucial that our selections reflected the age and history of the home. It was also important that we capture the charm and energy that’s unique to Mackinac Island. Colorful fabrics, artwork, and accessories help bring that energy to the cottage. Many of the furnishings

ISLAND VIBES

Above: An exterior perspective shows both the main home and the stables/loft apartment. Their teal color reflects hues found in the nearby Straits of Mackinac.

Opposite page: A pretty blue chest and complementary artwork adorn the foyer.

BUYER’S GUIDE

INTERIOR DESIGN

Serba Interiors, Birmingham, serbainteriors.com

BARN APARTMENT

Armchair (Green

Checkered) – Redford

House Furniture

Bedframe – Redford

House Furniture

Chairs, Dining – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Flooring – Oak

Lamp, Bedside – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Light Fixture – Visual Comfort

Oven/Microwave –KitchenAid

Rugs (Green) – Capel Rugs

Table, Bedside – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Table, Dining – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Cloud White

BATHROOM

Flooring – Virginia Tile

Tile, Walls – Virginia Tile

BEDROOM, GERANIUM

Bed Frame – Redford

House Furniture

Chair – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Curtains – Brunschwig & Fils, Kravet | Lee

Jofa | Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Lamp, Bedside – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Flooring – Maple

Rug – STARK Carpet, Troy

Table, Bedside – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Cloud White

BEDROOM, GUEST

Armchair – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Artwork (Field) – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Bedframe – Redford

House Furniture

Chest – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Flooring – Maple

Rug – STARK Carpet, Troy

Table, Bedside – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Cloud White

BEDROOM, MASTER

Bedframe – Redford House Furniture

Cabinetry – Custom, Eric Vogler Construction, West Bloomfield

Chair, Accent – Highland House Furniture

Drapery – Colefax

are antiques, helping to add an additional layer of history and patina to each space.”

The recent renovation started in 2019 but the pandemic shutdown, weather, and other logistics added delays and complications. In the end it was all worth it, Gembis says, noting that the result is a historic home that’s better than ever, with “a lot of good spaces to gather and hang out.” She says they can now sleep 14 in the renovated house and horse barn, and the family — which includes Gembis’ three children and her 85-year-old mom — continue to gather on the island, as they’ve done for almost a century. Gembis and her husband have their eyes on the future, she says, and upholding the tradition her great-grandparents started.

“There’s a lot of history here,” she says. “We’re trying to be good stewards for the property and for the generations to come.”

Design Center, Troy

Flooring – Virginia Tile

Light, Hanging – Ironware

International

Marble, Wolverine Stone Co., Warren

Flooring – Virginia Tile

Lighting, Hanging

Table, Coffee – Custom, Lamia Metalcraft & Design

and Fowler, Tenant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Flooring – Maple

Lamp, Bedside – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Lamp, Floor – Visual Comfort

Pillow (Flowers) – Colefax and Fowler, Tenant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Rug – STARK Carpet, Troy

Seat, Accent – Highland House Furniture

Table, Accent – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Table, Bedside – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Cloud White

DINING ROOM

Artwork – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Bench – Custom, Eric Vogler Construction, West Bloomfield

Cabinetry – Custom, Eric Vogler Construction, West Bloomfield

Chairs, Dining –Englishman’s Fine Furnishings

Chandelier – Ironware

International

Curtains – Colefax and Fowler, Tenant & Associates, Michigan

Table, Dining – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Table, Display – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Rug – Bellbridge Carpets

Sconce – Ironware

International

Sink – Shaws

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Cloud White

ENTRYWAY

Artwork (Bottom) – Serba Interiors, Birmingham

Artwork (Top) – Serba Interiors, Birmingham

Chair, Accent – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Chest – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Flooring – Maple

Lamp – Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Cloud White

KITCHEN

Backsplash (Green) –ANN SACKS, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Cabinetry – Custom, Eric Vogler Construction, West Bloomfield

Ceiling Treatment –Beadboard

Chandelier (Black) –Currey & Company

Countertops – Carrara

Fixtures – Visual Comfort

Oven – Wolf

Rug – STARK Carpet, Troy

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Cloud White

LIVING ROOM

Artwork (Berries) – Serba Interiors, Birmingham

Artwork (Left) – Serba Interiors, Birmingham

Artwork (Middle) – Serba Interiors, Birmingham

Artwork (Right) – Serba Interiors, Birmingham

Chair, Accent – Highland House Furniture

Lamp, Floor (Left) – Visual Comfort

Lamp, Floor (Right) –Visual Comfort

Pillow, Accent (Checkered) –Brunschwig & Fils, Kravet| Lee Jofa

| Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Pillow, Accent (Green) –

Brunschwig & Fils, Kravet | Lee Jofa

| Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Pillows, Throw (Flowers) –

Brunschwig & Fils, Kravet| Lee Jofa

| Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Rug – STARK Carpet, Troy

Sofa – Hickory Chair

Furniture

Table, End (Left) –Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Table, End (Right) –Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Cloud White

SITTING AREA

Armchairs – TCS Designs

Artwork (Frame) –Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Artwork (Horse Cutouts) –Antique, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Oak Park

Bar Stools – TCS Designs

Flooring – Virginia Tiles

Lamp, Floor – Visual Comfort

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Cloud White

EXTERIOR

Building Materials – Wood Siding

Landscaping – Barnwell Landscape and Garden, Mackinac Island

ADDITIONAL PROJECT CONTRIBUTORS

Architect – Richard Clements Architect, PLLC, Ocgueoc

Landscaping – Barnwell Landscape and Garden, Mackinac Island

Contributor –Jack Barnwell, PLA, Landscape Architect, Traverse City

FRESH START

A CUSTOM HOME COMPLEMENTS ITS LAKEFRONT LOCATION

TEXT BY JEANINE MATLOW | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN VECCHIO

LAKE LOVE

This page: The master bedroom seems to welcomes the outside in. The desginer’s goal was to maximize lake views.

Opposite page: The home’s lower level, with lake access, sets the stage for entertaining.

IIt seems the stars aligned for these homeowners, who found a prime spot on Pine Lake in West Bloomfield that became their primary residence once the original structure was gutted to the studs and the rooms were reconfigured to optimize the views. “We created a main living space to enable the family to work, live, and entertain within different zones,” says Barbi Stalburg Kasoff, interior designer and owner of Stalburg Design in Bloomfield Hills and Washington, D.C. “All the details were so well done.”

At 3,500 square feet, including the lower level, the transitional lake house was meant to be multifunctional. Several work-fromhome areas stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic include a command center office and

SHELF LIFE

Above: Shiplap wall treatment and modern shelving are building blocks for a unique look in the lower level.

a banquette with electrical outlets. One of two guest rooms on the upper level doubles as a workspace overlooking the lake.

On the main floor, a custom built-in bar in a darker shade plays well against the white that defines the hub of the home. “We wanted the cabinet material and design style to be very different from the kitchen, for a differentiation of space,” Kasoff says.

The scullery alongside the bar keeps essentials like the microwave, ovens, and pantry tucked out of sight. A banquette, upholstered in custom fabric, incorporates storage below. Electrical

CHEERS!

Above: The main-floor bar was custom-built. Its dark shade complements the the white that defines the adjacent kitchen.

Opposite page: A convenient work station and scullery, both with chic built-ins, make the home not only beautiful, but practical, too.

“THE HOMEOWNERS WANTED TO CREATE A MIXTURE OF EARTHY MATERIALS THAT NOD TO NATURE.”

— BARBI STALBURG KASOFF

outlets make it easy to transition from a small dining or entertaining area to a workspace.

Durable materials suit the lakefront location, while pet-friendly selections stand up to the family’s beloved dog. Other practical considerations include flexible furnishings like the smoky brown leather Thayer Coggin swivel chairs that face the lake and can turn toward the TV, positioned above a textured porcelain tile fireplace.

Custom built-ins were constructed on-site. “The homeowners wanted to create a mixture of earthy materials that nod to nature,” Kasoff says about the interiors, which seem to welcome the outside in. “The whole back of the house is glass. Every spot in the home was intended to maximize the view of the lake, and the windows flood the house with natural light.”

Aging-in-place features include the wellappointed main floor master suite, which faces the

water and features dual motorized shades that offer privacy without blocking the light. “Wallpaper that emulates waves and the natural lapping of the lake was installed behind the bed,” Kasoff notes.

The lower level, with lake access, sets the stage for entertaining. Amenities include a full kitchen, a changing room, a sauna, and a full bathroom. There’s ample seating on a sectional that was custom-built to fit between the structural columns. Distinctive materials also define the space.

“The shiplap wall emulates lake living,” the designer says.

Even the art the owners brought with them from their previous residence looks better in their lakefront home, where they say people often think it’s new. A series of photos depicting a variety of places in Israel is showcased in a dining area, where an understated table and light fixture let the pieces shine, and a unique sculpture makes a striking centerpiece.

COME ON OVER!

Both pages, clockwise from top left: The main level’s open living space features neutral tones and luxurious materials. Custom built-ins were constructed on-site. A lower-level dining and game area accommodate friends and family for lakeside gatherings.

Earthy materials — like the rattan barstools — may seem subtle, but they add visual interest to the mostly tone-on-tone interiors. Prefinished vinyl planks complement the prefinished hardwood flooring in other parts of the home. “The floors are super durable for a space with lake access,” Kasoff says. Custom rugs made from carpet also appear throughout the house.

The couple credits the trades for all the incredible details. “It was a great collaborative effort,” Mike Mladenoff, general contractor and president of Lakes Development Group Inc. in

PULL UP A STOOL

The lower-level kitchen can accommodate overflow during parties and is handy for entertaining. Rattan stools add visual interest to the mix of materials.

Sylvan Lake, says. “We made some tweaks throughout, but we were still able to achieve all the design elements that were really important to the clients.”

Having a great team that includes the clients and Patrick Dyke, who devised the initial architectural plans, made his job much easier. Stalburg Design made several interior architectural drawings that the builder used and worked off of, as well. “We’re a luxury home contractor, so the quality is going to be there, but having owners that recognize and appreciate that work is rare. Working with Barbi and Patrick made the entire project flow so much better and be that much more efficient,” Mladenoff says.

“They all worked so well together. We ended up with a team that was really amazing,” the wife says. “We were downsizing somewhat from our

RECIPE FOR BEAUTY

Top: A close-up perspective of the first-floor kitchen.

Bottom: A comfy banquette provides additional seating off the first-floor kitchen. The banquette has built-in electrical outlets, making it another convenient space for catching up on work.

READY FOR ALL

Opposite page: At 3,500 square feet, including the lower level, the transitional-style house, on Pine Lake, accommodates everything from workfrom-home needs to entertaining large groups.

previous home, so my main goal was to maximize every inch of this house. The main living space with the family room, kitchen, and dining table is where we spend the most time.”

Come summer, the couple likes to kayak and paddleboard. “We love being on the lake,” the wife says. Visitors include the couple’s two grown sons. “Our other house always had a designated office. Now we have a pullout couch in the office that doubles as a guest room and makes more sense for us. Our sons don’t have designated bedrooms, so one gets the guest room and one gets the office/guest room,” she says.

“We consider ourselves to be extremely lucky,” the husband adds. “We never envisioned the home would turn out the way it did. We looked for a lakefront property for years and years. One day this listing came up and we found Patrick, and Mike, and Barbi. We couldn’t be more fortunate. The home, for us, is perfect.”

WELCOME HOME

Above: In the foyer, a Visual Comfort chandelier makes a statement, while the beautiful stairway railings, built by Northern Staircase in Pontiac, draw the eye upward.

Right: A Loloi rug in a guest room adds to the comfort level.

BUYER’S GUIDE

INTERIOR DESIGN

Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills, stalburgdesign.com

BEDROOM, GUEST

Bed frame – Four Hands, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy

Lamp, Bedside – Uttermost, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Pillows, Throw (Bed) – Pom Pom at Home, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Rug – Loloi Rugs, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Table, Bedside – Universal, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White

BEDROOM, MASTER

Bed frame – Bernhardt, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Fan, Ceiling – Modern Fan Co., Herald Wholesale, Troy

Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy

Pillow, Throw (Bed) – Fabricut, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Pillows, Throw (Window) – Fabricut, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Rug – STARK Carpet, Troy

Sconce, Bedside – Hudson Valley Lighting, Herald Wholesale, Troy

Sconce, Window – Visual Comfort, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Table, Bedside – Bernhardt, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White

DINING ROOM

Chairs, Dining – Bontempi Casa, Designer Group Collection, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Chandelier – Visual Comfort, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy

Table, Dining – Gabby Home, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White

GAME ROOM, LOWER LEVEL

Armchairs – Nuevo, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Chandelier – Troy Lighting, Herald Wholesale, Troy

Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy

Table – Four Hands, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White

GREAT ROOM, MAIN FLOOR

Armchair, Black – Thayer Coggin, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Armchair, Light Gray – Four Hands, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Cabinetry, Black – Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills; Perspectives Cabinetry, Troy

Cabinetry, Brown – Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills; Lakes Development Group, Sylvan Lake

Fireplace – Virginia Tile Co.

Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy

Painting, Lake – Frame TV, Samsung

Pillows, Throw (Black Chair) – D.V. KAP Home, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Pillows, Throw (White/Black Pattern) –D.V. KAP Home, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Rug – STARK Carpet, Troy

Sconces – Visual Comfort, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Sofa – Vanguard Furniture, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Table, Coffee – Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Table, Display – Uttermost, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White Wine Cellar – Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills; Perspectives Cabinetry, Troy

KITCHEN, LOWER LEVEL

Cabinetry – Stalburg Design, Birmingham; Architectural Kitchens, Troy

Countertops – Wilsonart, Granite Creations, Farmington

Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy Lights, Hanging – Visual Comfort, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Oven/Microwave – KitchenAid, Specialties

Showroom, Berkley

Refrigerator – KitchenAid, Specialties

Showroom, Berkley

Sink – BLANCO, Advance Plumbing and Heating Supply

Stools, Bar – Lexington Home, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White

KITCHEN, MAIN FLOOR

Bench – Stalburg Design, Birmingham; Perspectives Cabinetry, Troy Cabinetry, Black – Perspectives Cabinetry, Troy Cabinetry, White – Perspectives Cabinetry, Troy

Chairs, Dining – Bontempi Casa, Designer Group Collection, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Countertops – Granite Creations, Dwyer Marble & Stone Supply, Farmington Hills

Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy

Lights, Hanging – Visual Comfort, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Refrigerator – Thermador, Specialties Showroom, Berkley

Runner – Chilewich

Sink – BLANCO, Advance Plumbing and Heating Supply

Stove – Thermador, Specialties

Showroom, Berkley

Table, Dining – Four Hands, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White

LIVING ROOM, LOWER LEVEL

Armchair, Dark Green – Precedent Furniture, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy

Pillow, Throw (Black) – D.V. KAP Home, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Pillow, Throw (Patterned) – D.V. KAP

Home, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Rug – Rebel Carpet & Rugs, Superb Flooring and Design, Troy

Shelving, Black – Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills; Lakes Development Group, Sylvan Lake

Shelving, Brown – Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills; Lakes Development Group, Sylvan Lake

Sofa – Vanguard Furniture, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Table, Coffee – Vanguard Furniture, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White

OFFICE

Cabinetry, Gray – Perspectives Cabinetry, Troy

Chair, Office – SUNPAN, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White

STAIRCASE

Bench – SUNPAN, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Chandelier, Left – Visual Comfort, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Chandelier, Right – Visual Comfort, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy

Rug, Entry – Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills; Superb Flooring and Design, Troy Stairs – Northern Staircase, Pontiac Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White

EXTERIOR

Landscaping – Matt Mosher, Mosher Design Co., Royal Oak

Paint Color – Sherwin-Williams, Snowbound Sconces – Hinkley Lighting

Windows – Andersen Windows and Doors

ADDITIONAL PROJECT CONTRIBUTORS

Architect – Patrick Dyke Collaborative, LLC, Ann Arbor

Contractor – Lakes Development Group, Sylvan Lake

Interior Designer – Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills

Landscaping – Matt Mosher, Mosher Design Co., Royal Oak

BEGINNING ARCHITECTURAL FIRM RETURNS TO RENOVATE A PAST PROJECT

TEXT

BY JEANINE MATLOW | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES HAEFNER

COME ON IN

This page: Splendid water views welcome family and visitors as they enter the home.

Opposite page: All that remained during the renovation of this Goodrich home, built in 1982, was the frame.

Norm and Kim Barman, the new owners of a waterfront home in Goodrich designed by DesRosiers Architects 40 years ago, turned to the original architect to help them take the structure — perched on a sprawling 80-acre site on Shinanguag Lake — into the 21st century. “It’s very rare to be able to design a home without any restrictions, neighbors, or rules and regulations,” Lou DesRosiers, president of the firm, says. “As an architect, it’s a dream come true.”

The amount of time that had passed between

the original and recent projects was beneficial to the seasoned architect. “It was great to have all the years of experience to renovate a house I designed in 1982,” he says. “It was owned by two families that didn’t touch it, so it was like going into a museum.”

By adding 1,000 square feet to the formerly 6,000-square-foot home, the new owners got an exercise room, a mother-in-law suite, a home theater, and a second garage. “Aside from the small addition, we completely gutted the entire house,” DesRosiers says. All that remained was the frame, in the same shape as the initial structure.

The original architecture took its cue from California’s Sea Ranch style, defined by sloped roof pods that welcome the sun and the water into the home — and the updated version maintains the same style. “The views capture the sunset and the lake,” DesRosiers says about the new dwelling, built by Custom Homes by Derocher, which includes four pods with sloped

LET THERE BE LIGHT A cozy sitting area awash in natural light and beautiful colors looks out to the patio.

ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE

Top: The powder room off the foyer features an all-marble sink.

Bottom: A beautiful stairwell leads to one of the home’s four levels.

Inset: What’s playing? The family loves to settle in here for movie nights.

SWEET DREAMS

This page: The master bedroom, above, features plenty of sunlight and great water views. The master bath, bottom, with its seemingly endless amounts of light and glass, makes the homeowners feel as if they’re outdoors.

roofs that contain distinct areas like the master suite, the foyer and the great room, the kitchen and the family room, and the garages.

“The master suite features a high ceiling and there’s plenty of sunlight to enjoy the master bathroom. It’s like bathing outdoors,” DesRosiers says. The third floor “mid-level” contains designated rooms for the couple’s two grown daughters.

STAY A WHILE

Opposite page: The great room, top, boasts a cedar ceiling and a striking fireplace. The kitchen, below, has a welcoming feel with its nearby sitting area, cozy stools, and uninterrupted views of the outdoors.

On the main floor, the great room boasts a cedar ceiling and a striking fireplace, which was set into a wall of porcelain slabs bordered by Fond du Lac stone piers. The lower level offers casual seating facing a gas fireplace surrounded by limestone. A well-equipped exercise space, a billiard room, and a bar are among the other notable areas. A three-story vestibule adds a dramatic touch.

In addition to the four open-plan levels with unique and spacious layouts, butted glass windows ensure uninterrupted views of the outdoors. Wood details, such as sapele mahogany floors and sloped cedar ceilings, create a cozy atmosphere for the warm, modern interiors overlooking an infinity pool that blends seamlessly with the lake beyond.

The “wow” factor begins at the entry. “It’s a great feature to see the entire front entrance and the foyer with all glass, and four fire pots on each

side of the walkway leading to the expansive front door, which pivots,” DesRosiers says. “You know you’re about to walk into something special.” Exceptional elements continue inside with custom components like the mahogany staircase, which combines floating treads with a stainless-steel cable railing.

On the exterior, standing-seam metal roof sections and horizontal cedar boards join Fond du Lac stone columns that were angled to maximize the views. “The rest is all glass because they own the view; nothing is in the way,” DesRosiers says about the home and pool that sits about 30 feet above the lake level. “My philosophy of architecture is inviting nature into your house.”

Outdoor spaces celebrate the spectacular setting, as well — like the spiral staircase that leads to the patio below, where the infinity-edge pool, flush with the lower level, cascades over one side with a series of waterfalls. “It’s all lit from underneath,” the architect says. “The lights are a beautiful jewel for the home, which stands alone in the woods and isn’t interrupted by any neighbors.” Arched water jets that stream into the pool have a soothing effect, while blue-tinted LED lights cast a mystical glow.

Inset:

is gorgeous at night.

The garage built below the four-car garage is positioned near the stateof-the-art home theater. “It’s the perfect use of a lower-level area that has no windows,” DesRosiers says. Other sensible solutions include a pantry/home office/laundry room combo off the kitchen that provides a practical location for essentials as well as a workspace facing the lake.

Several additional structures on the property also appealed to the couple, like a horse stable and a riding arena DesRosiers designed for the original owner, which works just as well for ice hockey, and a barn that became a home office.

While the owners aren’t big entertainers, they’ve created a family hub for loved ones including relatives who visit; their two grown daughters, who have their own rooms; and Kim’s mom, who lives in the mother-inlaw suite. The house has become the family’s happy place. “Every morning I wake up and think, ‘Wow, I can’t believe I live here,’ ” Kim says. “It’s pretty amazing. Everyone who comes over says it’s like a resort.”

BUYER’S GUIDE

ARCHITECTURE

DesRosiers Architects, Bloomfield Hills, desarch.com

BATHROOM

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Decorator’s White

BATHROOM,

MASTER

Bathtub – Advance Plumbing & Heating Supply Co.

Countertops – Gabriel Granite and Marble Inc., Bloomfield Hills

Flooring – Sapele Mahogany

FAMILY ROOM

Ceiling Treatment – Cedar Tongue & Groove

Fireplace – American Fireplace & Barbeque

Distributors, Ferndale

Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Decorator’s White

RESORT STYLE Above, right: Shinanguag Lake makes for a beautiful setting.

The pool, which sits about 30 feet above the lake level,

“EVERY MORNING I WAKE UP AND THINK, ‘WOW, I CAN’T BELIEVE I LIVE HERE.’”

— KIM BARMAN

Flooring – Porcelain Tile Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Decorator’s White

BEDROOM, MASTER

Ceiling Treatment –Custom, DesRosiers Architects, Bloomfield Hills

MATERIALS MATTER

On the exterior, standing-seam metal roof sections and horizontal cedar boards join Fond du Lac stone columns that were angled to maximize the views. The rest is all glass.

KITCHEN

Cabinetry – Perspectives

Cabinetry, Troy

Countertops – Granite

House, Clinton Township

Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy

Wall Paint – Benjamin

Moore, Decorator’s White

LIVING ROOM

Fireplace – American

Fireplace & Barbeque Distributors, Ferndale

Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy

Shelving – Delta Trim

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Decorator’s White

STAIRCASE

Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy

Staircase – Northern Staircase, Pontiac

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Decorator’s White

THEATER

Ceiling Treatment – Black Velvet Fabric

Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy

Screen – Seymour Screen Excellence

Seats, Theater – Fortress Home Theatre Seating

Wall Paint – Custom Mix

EXTERIOR

Building Materials –Capital Stoneworks, Waterford Township

Masonry – Albaugh Masonry Stone & Tile Inc., Waterford Township

Paint Color – Sikkens Stains

Pool – Coastal, Novi

Roofing – Butcher &

Butcher Construction, Rochester

Windows – Tubelite Inc., Novi

ADDITIONAL PROJECT CONTRIBUTORS

Builder – Custom Homes by Derocher, Royal Oak

Landscaping –Gethsemane Corp., Rochester

Mason – Albaugh Masonry Stone & Tile Inc., Waterford Township

LAKE HOUSE LEGACY

AFTER OVERCOMING MULTIPLE SITE CHALLENGES, THESE HOMEOWNERS HAVE CREATED A WONDERFUL FAMILY GATHERING SPOT

TEXT BY KHRISTI ZIMMETH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM LIDDICOATT

LIGHT AND AIRY

This page: The welcoming foyer provides opportunities to see outside wherever you turn. Opposite page, from left to right: architect Edward Zwyghuizen, builder Paul Benedict, and homeowner Carl Messer.

SSusan Brownell and Carl Messer were lucky to enjoy 10 happy years at their Lake Huron cottage in Harrisville. Over the years, however, their once-quiet neighborhood became more and more developed, eventually spurring the couple to search for a new getaway on a different lake.

“We looked for well over a year,” Brownell says. “We made an offer on a house in Montague, over on the opposite side of the state, and we were

outbid — but we knew the owner also had a vacant piece of land next to his house.” The couple made an offer on the 15 acres in 2017, and soon thereafter it was theirs.

That was the easy part. While spacious, with 250 feet of Lake Michigan frontage, “the land came with big obstacles,” Brownell says. It was oddly shaped, and the lake could only be accessed by a quarter-mile drive on a rustic sand path over a protected sand dune. The couple wasn’t deterred. “We worked our way through the state requirements and developed a driveway that made getting to the building site possible for everything from an old pickup truck to a fully loaded semi,” Brownell says.

Erosion and water runoff had created a deep, bowl-shaped area in the sand where the house site was located. “Believe it or not,” Brownell says, “we had to bring in truckloads of sand to make the site buildable. The preservation of the protected dune area was always a concern, and made

WHAT A VIEW

Above: with 250 feet of Lake Michigan frontage, spectacular views are abundant from just about everywhere in the home.

the construction of the four-level home even more difficult.”

Inspired by the design of a local manufacturing company, the homeowners worked with architect Edward Zwyghuizen, of Gen1 Architectural Group in Zeeland, on the design and site plan. The final plan emphasized the land’s natural features and included a distinctive glass tower. “Without his experience and knowledge, this project wouldn’t have been possible,” Brownell says of the 8,100-square-foot, eight-bedroom vacation home.

Brownell and Messer also brought in designer Denise Seifferlein, of d’avignon interiors in

“THE GOAL OF THIS STUNNING LAKE HOUSE WAS TO PROVIDE A SPACE WHERE FAMILY AND FRIENDS COULD GATHER, CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS, AND ENJOY ALL THE WONDERFUL YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITIES LIVING IN MICHIGAN OFFERS.”

— DENISE SEIFFERLEIN

AU NATUREL

Inset: The interior color palette is based on the home’s natural surroundingss, including the nearby lake.

Clarkston, to consult on the two-year project. “The goal of this stunning lake house was to provide a space where family and friends could gather, celebrate holidays, and enjoy all the wonderful year-round activities living in Michigan offers,” the designer explains.

In a bit of an ironic twist, in addition to being the couple’s designer, Seifferlein also qualifies as both a friend and member of the family, and has been lucky to enjoy the house firsthand. “My son introduced me to Susan and Carl almost 20 years ago, when he was dating Susan’s sister,” Seifferlein says. “Fast-forward, and Susan and Carl have not only become treasured friends and clients, but we’re also family, since the dating twosome are now married.”

From the window treatments (or lack thereof) to the color palette, the natural surroundings and nearby lake largely drove the interior design. “We wanted to take advantage of the incredible lake views,” the designer explains. “Every room — whether it’s a bedroom, living room, dining space, lower-level gaming area — includes opportunities to gaze out at the nearby lake, so we didn’t block any of those views.” Window treatments in the guest rooms provide light control, but family spaces were purposely kept bare.

Comfort and durability were also key. The

LAKE LOUNGING

Above: Who wouldn’t want to wake up to this view, which can be enjoyed just off the primary suite?

CUE THE QUALITY Left: Black-and-white photography, high-end hardwoods, and a dark sink combine to create a pleasing space.

intent was to achieve “a light and airy feel,” the designer explains, with lighter colors and performance fabrics throughout. Shades of blue are repeated, and different fabrics and patterns in pillows, accent chairs, and ottomans provide a subtle lake house feel without it becoming a theme, she says.

Both the designer and the homeowners say the primary suite is their favorite space. Furnished with a wool rug that looks like a woven sweater,

a canopy bed with a padded linen headboard, lounge chairs, and a coffee bar, it’s a relaxing year-round retreat. “It’s so spa-like,” Seifferlein says, adding that the space manages to feel spacious yet cozy. “I could live in this room,” she says, adding, “and who wouldn’t want to wake up to that view?”

The pandemic added complications. “Almost everything we liked for the project seemed to come with issues. Fabrics were

R&R RETREAT

Above: Interior designer Denise Seifferlein says the primary suite is her favorite space. “It’s so spa-like,” she shares.

selected, and then after waiting for months for them, we found out they were discontinued, and upholstery manufacturers were unable to secure supplies, which added months to their fabrication. Every manufacturer dealt with employee shortages, which added more manufacturing time, and the receiving and delivery of goods was, beyond a doubt, incredibly trying,” Seifferlein recalls.

“This was an interesting project,” she continues. “Since it was built for the family, they were often asked to weigh in on many selections. I would select and/or specify furniture, and bring options to our meetings. Susan and Carl would narrow it down to two or sometimes three choices, and then ask their family for their opinions. Susan is one of nine children, and eight of them are women. All of her siblings enjoy this vacation home with their families, so there were a lot of opinions.”

In the end, it was all about the views — and about relaxation, Brownell says. “The walls, ceilings, floors, and trim were meant to fade into the background. The furnishings are so comfortable that, by sunset, they’re filled with snoozing guests and droopy-eyed TV watchers or fireplace meditators, depending on the location. I would definitely say our goals were met.”

Above: When not outdoors, the family enjoys shooting billiards and spending time in the game room.

FIRED UP

Below: Family and friends always look forward to sitting around the fire pit and watching Lake Michigan sunsets.

BUYER’S GUIDE

INTERIOR DESIGN

d’avignon interiors, Clarkston

BATHROOM

Flooring – Quality Hardwoods of Michigan, Inc., Rochester Hills

Rug – Stark Carpet, Troy

BEDROOM, MASTER

Armchairs – Wesley Hall, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Bed – Charleston Forge, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Cabinet – Palecek, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Flooring – Quality Hardwoods of Michigan Inc., Rochester Hills

Pillows, Throw – Pindler, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Rug – Stark Carpet, Troy

Table, Accent – Lulu and Georgia

FAMILY ROOM

Chairs, Lounge – Palecek, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Flooring – Quality Hardwoods of Michigan Inc., Rochester Hills

Lamp, Floor – Visual Comfort, Herald Wholesale, Troy

Pillows, Throw – Pindler, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Sofa – TCS

Table, Coffee – Old Biscayne, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, City Loft

FOYER

Flooring – Quality Hardwoods of Michigan Inc., Rochester Hills

Pillows, Throw – Pindler, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Staircase – Inline Design, Brighton Stair Co., New Hudson

GAME ROOM, LOWER LEVEL

Armchair – Palecek, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Flooring – Urban Concrete Fog

Pillow, Throw – Pindler, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Table, Pool – Custom, Pharaoh Co.

Table, Side – Charleston Forge, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

HALLWAY

Benches – Serena & Lily, Birmingham

Flooring – Quality Hardwoods of Michigan Inc., Rochester Hills

LIVING ROOM

Armchairs – Vanguard, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Cabinet – Universal, Gorman’s Furniture

Flooring – Quality Hardwoods of Michigan Inc., Rochester Hills

Pillow, Throw – Roomdress, Pindler, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Rug – Stark Carpet, Troy

Table, Coffee – Old Biscayne, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, City Loft

SITTING AREA, LOWER LEVEL

Armchairs – TCS

Bench – Charleston Forge, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Flooring – Quality Hardwoods of Michigan Inc., Rochester Hills

Pillow, Throw – Pindler, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Rug – Stark Carpet, Troy

Table, Coffee – Charleston Forge, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Table, Pool – Revolution Killer

EXTERIOR

Chairs – Bernhardt, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

GAME TIME

Above: The family has plenty of space in the lower level for gaming, Ping Pong, playing cards, you name it. Right: Hallway benches from Serena & Lily are great for seating or for accommodating beach gear.

SECOND ACT

A DESIGNER AND BIRMINGHAM HOMEOWNERS TEAM UP TO FINISH WHAT THEY STARTED

TEXT BY KHRISTI ZIMMETH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF GARLAND

ORDERLY OPULENCE

This page: The office’s opulent allure makes it easy to want to spend time working there. Opposite page: Homeowner Nicole Teifer’s closet is not only attractive and welcoming, but orgnized to a T.

Good things are worth waiting for. That’s the patient philosophy embraced by Nicole Teifer, who recently teamed up with Boca Raton, Fla.based designer Jamie Herzlinger to finish her Birmingham home.

The pair had joined forces with great results on earlier projects, Teifer says. The first was a former seasonal home in Arizona; the most recent focused on the main-floor spaces in the four-bedroom Colonial (featured in the Fall 2021 issue of Detroit Design) Teifer and her husband purchased in 2020. “Jamie just gets me,” Teifer, who shares the 1989 home with her husband, Steve Milot, and West Highland terriers Lily and Spike, explains. “When I was searching for someone who did things that were unique and special, she definitely stood out.”

The first part of the project proves it, she says. Together, the homeowners and designer transformed the entry, breakfast room, living room, and master bedroom with new wallpaper, chandeliers, drapes, and other décor. Herzlinger

PRETTY TIMES TWO

Above and left: Gorgeous, upscale, modern, and classic are the attributes that interior designer Jamie Herzlinger was after when planning this guest bedroom’s sleeping and sitting areas.

incorporated a variety of influences, tweaking tradition and incorporating elements from artists and artisans worldwide. Creative combinations include Donald Sultan poppy prints and a black suede Chesterfield sofa in the living room, a marble dining table on a gold base paired with velvet chairs in the dining room, and a monochromatic primary bedroom with a capiz shell bed table and a custom leather bed.

“How to make old new was a major part of the philosophy” in the first part of the project and continued into its second phase, Herzlinger explains. “As with the first time, we kept asking ourselves, How do we make classic fun?”

Because Teifer’s style is “gorgeous, upscale, modern, and classic,” according to the designer, the pair wanted a fashion-forward feel. “Nicole is glamorous and wanted a glamorous interior,” Herzlinger says, comparing the homeowner’s overall signature style to “wearing a Chanel

EMERALD CITY

Above and right: Green bedside tables from Grafton Furniture Co. exude a gem-like presence.

jacket with sneakers.”

That philosophy also drove the project’s second phase, which included the upstairs guest room, office, powder room, and walk-in closet. Teifer says she never intended to do the house in two sections, but logistics dictated how they proceeded.

Once the first part of the house was complete, the rest of the home seemed lacking. “It was fab, fab, fabulous,” she says of the first phase. “But

after it was done, the part we hadn’t worked on felt like it was another house. We wanted to make the rest of the house just as fabulous.”

Herzlinger quickly came to the rescue. The pair started planning “as soon as we installed the first part,” in the spring of 2021. “I told Jamie I wanted the house to feel cohesive and go together,” Teifer recalls. Other than that directive, she let the designer lead the way. “I said, you do your thing; you know my style.”

Once again, the designer went with the glamorous look she knew Teifer loved. She upgraded the window treatments in the walk-in closet, adding a

FLIGHTS OF FANCY Above: Butterfly art by Donald Sultan (from the David Klein Gallery) makes a cheerful statement in the office.

fun pair of bright lips by Jane Waterous, an artist whose work Teifer had seen at the Four Seasons in the Bahamas. Herzlinger added an unusual wallcovering in the powder room that “reminded her of Louboutin,” Teifer says, adding, “Jamie loves to take things back to shoes and fashion.” Both are examples of the designer’s endless creativity. “She definitely came up with some unbelievable pieces,” Teifer says of Herzlinger’s

Right:

SPECIAL TREATMENT

Below: The home’s window treatments are luxurious, especially the ones in the guest bedroom.

THE CURATOR

One of interior designer Jamie Herzlinger’s gifts is the astute ability to come up with unique pieces, such as the ones that adorn the office. One of the homeowners’ West Highland terriers certainly enjoys the space.

BUYER’S GUIDE

INTERIOR DESIGN

Jamie Herzlinger Interiors, Florida, jamieherzlinger.com

BEDROOM, GUEST

Art – Robert Kidd Gallery, Birmingham

Bed – Custom, Grafton Furniture Co. with Dualoy Leather

Bedding – Scandia Home, Birmingham

Chairs, Accent – Black and White Boucle, Dedar

Chandelier – Bella Figura

Drapes – Mariella’s Custom Drapery, Southfield

Lamp, Clear – Vintage, Karl Springer

Lamps, Bedside – Sirmos

Mirror (Gold) – Wüd Furniture Design

Pillows, Silk – Mariella’s Custom Drapery, Southfield

Rug – Art and Loom

Table, Accent – Alexander Lamont

Tables, Side (Green) – Grafton Furniture Co.

Votives, Rock Crystal – Jerry Pair

Wall Treatment – Filigree Linen, Porter Teleo, Schumacher; Installation, JCC Interiors

CLOSET

Art (Lips) – Jane Waterous

Bench (Zebra) – Mariella’s Custom Drapery, Southfield

ideas, including the large butterfly art that graces a wall in the office that’s (technically) used by Milot. “He let the butterfly stay because it was Michigan colors,” Teifer jokes.

As in the first part of the renovation, the pandemic messed with the scheduling. “We had some residual slowness,” Teifer explains. “It took longer to get things than we expected; a few things took about nine months.”

Now that it’s done, the house finally feels cohesive. “It’s absolutely perfect,” Teifer says. “It’s unique and very functional.” While she says she likes everything, she admits to being partial to the guest room, with its vibrant emerald green palette. “It feels like the swankiest boutique hotel,” she says, pointing out the mirrored bed frame and an antique table from Paris.

Doing the renovation in two phases wasn’t ideal, the homeowner admits. “We had to have the trades out twice, which can be inconvenient. If I had to do it again, I’d have done it all in one round — but life got in the way,” she says.

Still, she says it was definitely worth the wait. “It was an amazing project and I really enjoyed working with Jamie again,” Teifer says. “She even asked me if I was going to move now that it’s complete!”

Teifer insists that’s not part of the plan. She and her husband are enjoying their home, which finally feels finished. “There’s nothing left to do,” she says, “and that’s a reassuring feeling.”

Rug – Sheepskin Wool, Stark Carpet, Troy

Window Treatment – Mariella’s Custom Drapery, Southfield

OFFICE

Art, Butterfly – Donald Sultan, David Klein Gallery, Detroit

Chair, Desk – Eames Executive Chair, Herman Miller

Chair, Wingback with Ottoman – Grafton Furniture Co.

Lamp, Desk – Polished Brass, Jerry Pair

Light, Ceiling – Pagani Studio

Paperweight – Loveknot, Gucci

Rug – Cowhide, Kyle Bunting

Sconces – Holly Hunt

Table, Accent – John Lyle Design

Vase (Bubble) – Sevres

Wall Treatment – Grasscloth, Phillip Jeffries; Installation, JCC Interiors

Window Covering – Mariella’s Custom Drapery, Southfield

POWDER ROOM

Boxes – Antiques

Sconces – Hector Finch Lighting

Wall Treatment – Studio E Hand-Painted Wallpaper, Jerry Paid; Installation, JCC Interiors

ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTORS

Installation – Designer Furniture Services, Michigan Design Center, Troy Contractor – Thomas Sebold & Associates, Bloomfield Hills

A LOVELY LOOK

Far left:The hand-painted wallaper in the powder room makes a stunning backdrop. Inset: A detail of exquisite keepsake boxes.

photo by Steve Kroo

GOING WITH THE FLOW

AFTER A MASSIVE REDO, THIS CONTEMPORARY HOME NEAR ANN ARBOR CELEBRATES THE HURON RIVER’S EVERY RIPPLE

TEXT BY PATTY LANOUE STEARNS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF GARLAND

WONDERFUL WOOD

This page: The only original interior element still intact is the great room’s wood ceiling.

Opposite page: The former home didn’t take advantage of all the great views. Now, both front and back feature lovely perspectives.

This four-bedroom, three-bath home, built in 1978, was once decorated with foil wallpaper and carpeted floors — and its best view of the Huron River was from the master bathroom window.

“It was like a home you’d see in any subdivision (from the 1970s),” says architect Brad Angelini. “(It was) a one-story with small windows that weren’t taking advantage of the river.”

All that changed when homeowners Ron and Barb Hirschl met with Brad and Theresa Angelini, husband-and-wife architects and copartners at Angelini & Associates Architects in Ann Arbor. The homeowners wondered if the main living areas could face the water and the

private spaces could be on the other side.

“The river bends right near the house and they have spectacular views,” Brad says. “For Ron and Barb to make that big of a suggestion — to flip the house completely — it was magic, and it triggered the ability to put glass along the whole riverfront wall.”

Achieving such an epic task meant taking everything out and starting all over again, drastically changing the floor plan, moving a staircase to the lower level, adding an addition for the master suite and office, and raising the ceilings. The only original interior feature still intact is the great room’s wood ceiling.

Above:

Inset: Pretty cabinetry, crisp white walls, and hardwood floors evoke a ship-shape vibe in the pantry.

SINGIN’ THE BLUES Top: Grabill cabinetry in a pretty blue is nice on the eyes.

TAbove: The open kitchen extends right to the dining area, and both spaces have wonderful views.

RIVER REVERIE

While dining, the family ennjoys looking out to the serene Huron River.

“IT WAS LIKE A HOME YOU’D SEE IN ANY SUBDIVISION (FROM THE 1970S), A ONE-STORY WITH SMALL WINDOWS THAT WEREN’T TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE RIVER.”

— BRAD ANGELINI

That in itself — figuring out how to unite the existing ceiling with the heightened ceilings in the other rooms and holding everything up — was a complication, Theresa says. Adding to the difficulty was the onset of the pandemic. “We had in-person meetings,” says Ron, a busy pediatric surgeon, “and Zoom meetings.” The Angelinis used cardboard and digital models to go over the tweaks with their clients as the plan evolved. They were even able to figure out how to locate

the media room, complete with a golf simulator and Peloton exercise bike, on the main floor, rather than putting them in the basement, where the ceiling was too low for golf swings.

During the pandemic, certain supplies were hard to get ahold of, such as can lights. Building supplies soared in price, but the contractor, Robin Cook, was able to keep the project on track. The kitchen moved all the way to the other side of the house, so the Angelinis had to come up with an

enjoyable sequence of spaces to make the long journey from the garage to the kitchen, especially when carrying groceries, a pleasant trek.

“In spite of all of the challenges, there were no compromises in quality,” says Theresa, who loved the fact that, during the year-and-a-half remodel, Barb worked with her tirelessly to source all of the materials for the interiors. Barb also visited the construction site every day during the process — even the dead of winter didn’t

CLEAN LINES

Opposite page and above: The couple selected modern accoutrements for their new dwelling, including in the primary bedroom. Their former homes featured more traditional furnishings.

deter her — to watch the progress.

Now, after more than a year in their house, the Hirschls can’t get over the “wow” factor of waking up, walking into the main living area, and taking in the view. “The first thing we see is the water. It’s almost like an infinity pool,” says Barb, an effervescent homemaker, gardener, and longtime volunteer for the Ann Arbor Thrift Shop. Depending on the light, she says the water is either blue, green, or after a hard rain, brown —

IN THE DETAILS

Above: The team figured out how to locate the media room, with its golf simulator, on the main floor, rather than in the basement where the ceiling was too low for golf swings. Below: Blue Tozen tile adds to the primary bathroom’s overall appeal.

and awe-inspiring any time of the year.

The couple moved from a large two-story suburban home with a basement, and they also had a cottage in northern Michigan. They sold both, and are now living essentially on one floor, trading the traditional furnishings of their previous dwellings for more modern accoutrements — Fjord recliners, Rove Concept bar stools, a custom-made live-edge walnut dining table from Woody’s Wood Bench in northern Michigan — all complemented by sleek natural-finish hickory flooring and stunning overhead lighting.

Barb, the cook in the family, loves her new quartz-countertopped kitchen, with high-end appliances, a garden sill for herbs, her prized Miele espresso machine, and the adjacent pantry with all manner of shelves, drawers, and counter space. Ron loves the media room’s huge screen projector TV, and the higher ceiling lets him take big swings with the high-def golf simulator, which the couple enjoys year-round.

The house is wired to the nines with Smart Home features for the lights, the blinds, the TVs, gas fireplace, locks, garage door, alarm — even

GET OUTDOORS

Above: A grilling area, spa, and fire pit make entertaining fun.

Below: Not far from the lower level’s walkout area, there’s a mooring space for the family’s kayaks, and steps leading to the water.

BUYER’S GUIDE

ARCHITECTURE

Angelini & Associates Architects, Ann Arbor, angeliniarchitects.com

BATHROOM, PRIMARY

Backsplash, Blue – Tozen, Lunada Bay, Virginia Tile

Bathtub – Signature Hardware, Ferguson Plumbing, Troy

Cabinetry– Grabill, Silestone, Angelini & Associates Architects, Ann Arbor

Flooring – Milestone, Landmark Ceramics, Virginia Tile

Lighting – Modern Forms Mini Loft, Gross Electric, Ann Arbor

Tile, Shower (White) – American Olean, Virginia Tile

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Reserved White

BEDROOM, PRIMARY

Artwork – Ann Arbor Art Fair, Ann Arbor

Fireplace – Heat & Glo, Williams Distributing, Grand Rapids

Flooring, Carpet – FLOR, Interface

Flooring, Wood – Laura Schafer, Schafer Hardwood Flooring, Tecumseh

Sconce, Bedside – Kuzco Lighting, Gross Electric, Ann Arbor

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Reserved White

GREAT ROOM

Artwork, Flowers – Pierre Paul Design, Ann Arbor

Chandelier – Tech Lighting, Gross Electric, Ann Arbor

Fireplace – Halquist Stone, The Belden Brick Co.

Flooring – Schafer Hardwood Flooring,

the master bath’s shower heads, which are customized with temperature settings for each user.

The basement features a pool table, three bedrooms, and a bath — ideal for their three grown children and expanding families — and gives the home 4,453 square feet of heated space. From the first-floor deck, there’s a patio with a fire pit and a spa. From the lower level walkout, there’s a mooring area for their kayaks, and steps leading down to the water.

“It’s very much a rural feeling,” says Barb, even though they’re close to Ann Arbor. She and Ron love to walk their 4-acre property with their golden retriever. They’ve discovered a horse farm nearby, another neighbor with chickens, and a turtle laying her eggs, and they report the soothing ripples of the river never stop.

Tecumseh

Light Fixture – Shakúff, Bespoke Lighting Solutions

Lounge, Chaise – Ethan Allen

Ottoman – Ethan Allen

Pillows, Accent (Blue) – Ethan Allen

Pillows, Accent (Yellow) – Pottery Barn

Rug – Ethan Allen

Sconce – TECH, Gross Electric, Ann Arbor

Sofa – Ethan Allen

TV – Sony

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Reserved White

KITCHEN & DINING ROOM

Cabinets – Grabill, Angelini & Associates Architects, Ann Arbor

Chairs, Accent – Fjords Urban, Esquire Interiors, Plymouth

Chairs, Dining – Arhaus

Chandelier, Dining – Shakúff, Bespoke Lighting Solutions

Chandelier, Kitchen – Kuzco Lighting, Gross Electric, Ann Arbor

Countertop – Envi Surfaces, Dwyer Marble & Stone Supply, Farmington Hills

Flooring – Schafer Hardwood Flooring, Tecumseh

Hood – Zephyr, Big George’s Home Appliance Mart, Ann Arbor

Oven and Microwave – GE, Big George’s Home Appliance Mart, Ann Arbor

Refrigerator – Sub-Zero, Big George’s Home Appliance Mart, Ann Arbor

Rug, Accent – FLOR, Interface

Rug, Area – FLOR, Interface

Sink – Elkay, Ferguson Plumbing Supply

Stools, Bar – Norman, Rove Concepts

Table, Dining – Woody’s Wood Bench

Table, Side – West Elm

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Reserved White

MEDIA/GOLF SIMULATOR ROOM

Bike – Peloton

Flooring – FLOR, Interface

Wall, Rubber Flooring – Amorim Rubber Flooring, Blakely Products, Warren

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Reserved White

PANTRY

Cabinetry – Grabill, Angelini & Associates Architects

Countertop – Envi Surfaces, Dwyer Marble & Stone Supply, Farmington Hills

Flooring – Schafer Hardwood Flooring, Tecumseh

Light Fixture – Lowell, Hinkley Lighting, Gross Electric, Ann Arbor

Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Reserved White

EXTERIOR

Building Materials – Boral TruExterior

Chairs, Adirondack – Living Accents, Ace Hardware

Fire Pit – Unilock

Grill – Hestan

Landscaping – Aaron’s Lawn Care, Ypsilanti

Lighting, Back – Modern Forms Pandora

Lighting, Front – Gross Electric, Ann Arbor

Masonry – Unilock

Paint Color – Benjamin Moore, Soot

Roofing – Landmark Pro, Certainteed

Staircase, Metal – The Iron Shop

Windows – Anderson Windows & Doors

ADDITIONAL PROJECT ÇONTRIBUTORS

Builder – Robin Cook, Robin C. Cook Building LLC, Ann Arbor

Initial Design – Andrew Wolking

Project Designer – Nathan Clark, Angelini & Associates Architects, Ann Arbor

E.W. KITCHENS

For more than 75 years, E.W. Kitchens has been working closely with clients to bring their dream spaces to life. Their process brings together the styles and lifestyles of their clients, and the result is classic and timeless spaces you can’t wait to come home to.

E.W. Kitchens has two luxury showrooms: one in Wixom and the other in the Michigan Design Center in Troy. The showrooms feature more than 100 manufacturers of cabinetry, countertops, hardware, plumbing, tile, and lighting. Each showroom also includes working displays, where you can experience the functionality, quality, and design of the company’s kitchens hands-on.

During your visit to E.W. Kitchens’ showrooms, their Certified Design Dream Team can help guide you through design choices that fit your size and style, giving you options for creating your dream kitchen, bath, or special use room, and opening possibilities you may not have thought of before. E.W. Kitchens’ team is always available to answer questions about the craftsmanship of their products, their materials, and the many possibilities for customization.

You can visit either showroom Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays and evenings by appointment.

SHARER DESIGN GROUP

Specializing in luxury design, and using the industry’s leading custom cabinetry, Sharer Design Group blends experience and creativity with high-quality products, resulting in beautiful spaces meant to be lived in. From remodeling to new construction, Sharer Design Group’s design expertise and superior custom cabinetry allows clients to create stunning spaces to fit their needs and lifestyles.

Sharer Design Group is the exclusive Michigan dealer of Bakes & Kropp Fine Cabinetry, one of the United States’ premier designers and manufacturers of ultra-luxury kitchen cabinetry. These impeccable products combine unparalleled quality and exquisite detail to achieve designs for the most exacting lifestyles.

Sharer Design Group also offers its own personal line of custom cabinetry, Sharer Cabinetry. This Michigan-made cabinetry offers endless design options. Custom sizes and storage options offer limitless combinations, while a wide range of stain and paint colors further ensures that every cabinet is uniquely suited to every project.

Industry expertise, exceptional products, and impeccable customer service are the defining principles that make Sharer Design Group a leader in design and cabinetry manufacturing. Sharer Design Group is available for consultations at its showroom in downtown Plymouth and its northern Michigan showroom, located in downtown Bay Harbor.

Plymouth

734-582-9660

sharerdesigngroup.com

MASTER CLASS

A TALENTED DESIGNER AND A TEAM OF OLD-SCHOOL CRAFTSMEN TURNED THIS DOWNTO-THE-STUDS BIRMINGHAM REDO INTO A CLASSIC WORK OF ART

TEXT BY PATTY LANOUE STEARNS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN VECCHIO

Both pages: Two perspectives of the inviting living room and its many luxurious appointments, from window treatments to millwork.

SERENE PALETTE

Designer Lisa Petrella felt like she had arrived in her career when she was asked to do the interior and exterior design on a vintage 1898 farmhouse near downtown Birmingham.

For Petrella, who founded her award-winning interior design firm in 2003, the thrill of working with hand-rendering architect and historian Thomas Holleman, contractor/millwork maestro Eric Vogler, and tile craftsman Rich Horn would not only be an incredible experience, but also one “with no ego — it would be all about the end process, and every detail would be thought out with a team approach,” she says.

The client, a busy attorney and emptynester, purchased the home with the intention

of renovating the interior and exterior. The goal was to create a spa-like haven, inside and out, for relaxing and unwinding, and a place for her grown children to visit and watch football games together. She had to move out for 15 months during the extensive renovation.

After meeting with the homeowner and gleaning a thorough understanding of her vision, the team got to work. Petrella and Holleman started drawing up plans — she on her computer, he on paper. “We took out a wall, opened up the stairs, and added a more gracious kitchen,” says Holleman, co-author of “Art in Detroit Public Spaces” and many other architectural histories.

BOOK SMART

DAbove: This reading nook between the kitchen and dining room is extra cozy, thanks to a mix of materials.

LET IT FLOW

Above: Slate tones, tans, and beiges are featured throughout the home, and the kitchen’s patina continues the color story.

Inset: Beautiful cabinetry was built and finished on-site.

As was typical of an old home, “you always run into unexpected conditions, and then you have to refine the design,” he says.

Design refinements happened frequently. While the house looked good during the initial walk-through, it was evident that the 2,800-square-foot structure had gone through a series of remodels, and some of them didn’t go well. “We fixed a lot of things that needed fixing,” says Vogler, known for his hand-sculpted millwork and fine finishes. Looking through the house today, you notice that his built-ins are of the highest quality, including the bedside shelving and drawers, and the arch above the bed in the

CUE THE CUSTOM Gorgeous beside shelving, drawers, and an arch above the bed were all created by Eric Vogler.

master bedroom, the wainscoting in the master bath, and the soaring tongue-and-groove walls and beamed ceiling that surround the fireplace in the outdoor room.

Once the team started digging deeper, they discovered that the floors and walls weren’t plumb, “and certain point loads had nothing underneath — like a support beam coming down with only drywall and plaster holding it all together,” Vogler recalls. The team was able to stick with the same

footprint, even after tearing down a small carriage house/garage that was a wreck. That led to more space for a wonderful backyard.

With a palette of slate blues, dark greens, tans, and beige, each room feels serene and luxurious, from the patina of the kitchen and dining room lighting to the Bunny Williams lamp that warms up the living room. Designer Petrella loved that the homeowner trusted her design instinct and let her fly with custom-made, hand-painted

CREATIVE DESIGN

Left: Designed by Lisa Petrella and built by Vogler, the bedroom console has a pop-up TV.

Below: The busy homeowner wanted the home, including the master bath, to feel like a retreat. Here, spa-like appeal is apparent and provides relaxation at the end of the day.

furniture (such as Vogler’s stunning console, designed by Petrella, with a pop-up TV in the master bedroom), cabinetry that was all built by Vogler and finished on-site, and the sweet shiplap-ceilinged niche between the kitchen and dining room that leads to a covered seating area outdoors with a TV and refrigerator.

The kitchen, which looks out at the patio, is ensconced in Calcutta marble and punctuated with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances. In the cozy living room, tile man Horn fabricated the limestone fireplace.

Horn’s favorite achievement is the firstfloor master bedroom’s sumptuous en suite bath — awash in statuary white marble with a heated mosaic floor, a shower that sits on a solid base with buttresses inside, and a soaking tub for chilling out. “The master bath is quite special; it’s very detailed,” says Horn, a native of Oxfordshire, England, who employs the lost art of using wire, lath, and cement that’s found in many of the Detroit area’s homes and apartments that were built decades ago.

GET OUTDOORS

Right and opposite page: The outdoor living area has soaring tongue-and-groove walls and a beamed ceiling.

Horn worked in tandem with landscape wizard Rob Grace doing the backyard stonework, and the result is a magnificent outdoor “living room” that’s a year-round oasis. “It was such a small space — it really took time because it was really overgrown,” Horn recalls. “It was quite an undertaking.”

Architect Holleman and builder Vogler have worked on projects together for more than 40 years, and Horn has been part of the team for about 22 years. Petrella has worked on projects with them since 2014. This exclusive bunch of artisans “create homes that, in 50 or 60 years, are still relevant,” Petrella says. “I’ve learned a lot from them, but they also listen to me.”

As for their opinion of Petrella, they love working with her. Holleman puts it succinctly: “Lisa is a delight. She brings another aspect into the mix and adapts to all the various styles.”

Clearly, this no-ego idea is a formula for success — and this project should easily last another 120 years.

Left: Another view of the sweet reading niche. Note the charming shiplap ceiling.

Right

BOOK NOOK

: A detail of the inviting living room. The table lamp is from Bunny Williams Home.

BUYER’S GUIDE

INTERIOR DESIGN

Petrella Designs Inc., Troy, petrelladesigns.com

BATHROOM

Cabinetry – Custom, Eric Vogler

Construction, West Bloomfield

Countertops – RJH Tile, Stone and Marble, Holly

Curtains – Pindler, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Flooring – RJH Tile, Stone and Marble, Holly

Sconce – Circa Lighting, City Lights

Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Tile, Shower – RJH Tile, Stone and Marble, Holly

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, White Down

Wall Treatment – Custom, Eric Vogler

Construction, West Bloomfield

BEDROOM

Armchair – Hickory Chair, Petrella Designs Inc., Troy

Bed Frame – Hickory Chair, Petrella Designs Inc., Troy

Cabinetry – Custom, Petrella Designs Inc., Troy; Eric Vogler Construction, West Bloomfield

Curtains – Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Dresser, Window – Custom, Petrella Designs Inc., Troy; Eric Vogler

Construction, West Bloomfield

Pillow, Throw, Brown – Kravet, Kravet | Lee Jofa | Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Pillows, Display (Flowers) – Colefax and Fowler, Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Rug – STARK Carpet, Troy

Sconce – Circa Lighting, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, White Down Wallpaper – Schumacher, Michigan Design Center, Troy

DINING ROOM

Chandelier – Custom, The Urban Electric Co., Petrella Designs Inc., Troy

Chairs, Dining (Patterned) – Lee Industries, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Chairs, Dining (White) – Hickory Chair, Petrella Designs Inc., Troy

Curtains – Chivasso, Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Table, Dining – Woodland Furniture, Petrella Designs Inc., Troy

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, White Down

KITCHEN

Cabinetry – Custom, Petrella Designs Inc., Troy; Thomas Holleman Architect, Birmingham

Chandelier – Circa Lighting, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Countertops – RJH Tile, Stone and Marble, Holly

Flooring – Property Care Hardwood Floors, Bloomfield Township

Range Hood – Sunrise Metals, Architectural Kitchens, Troy

Rug – STARK Carpet, Troy

Shades, Woven – HARTMANN&FORBES, Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Sink – Advance Plumbing and Heating Supply Co.

Stools, Bar – Custom, Petrella Designs Inc., Troy

Stove/Microwave – Wolf, Witbeck Home Appliance Mart, Bloomfield Township

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, White Down

LIVING ROOM

Bench – Oly, Petrella Designs Inc., Troy

Ceiling Treatment – Eric Vogler

Construction, West Bloomfield

Curtains – Petrella Designs Inc., Troy; Accent Custom Drapery, Sterling Heights

Flooring – Property Care Hardwood Floors, Bloomfield Township

Lamp, Table – Bunny Williams Home, Petrella Designs Inc., Troy

Pillows, Accent – Rozmallin, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Rug – STARK Carpet, Troy

Seats, Cube – Schumacher, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Sofa – Hickory Chair, Petrella Designs Inc., Troy

Table, Coffee – Hickory Chair, Petrella Designs Inc., Troy

Table, Side – Baker Furniture, Baker | McGuire, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Table, Sofa – Hickory Chair, Petrella Designs Inc., Troy

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, White Down

SITTING AREA

Curtains – Chivasso, Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Lounge, Chaise – Hickory Chair, Petrella Designs Inc., Troy

Pillow, Throw (Brown Velvet) – Dedar, Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Pillow, Throw (Orange/White) –Schumacher, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Rug – STARK Carpet, Troy

Sconce – Circa Lighting, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Table, Display – Woodbridge Furniture, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Table, Side – Oly, Petrella Designs Inc., Troy

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, White Down

EXTERIOR

Armchairs – RH

Building Materials – Eric Vogler

Construction, West Bloomfield

Cabinetry – Eric Vogler Construction, West Bloomfield

Chandelier – Arteriors, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Fire Pit – RJH Tile, Stone and Marble, Holly Lantern – Circa Lighting, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Masonry – RJH Tile, Stone and Marble, Holly

Paint Color, House Trim – Benjamin Moore, White Dove

Paint Color, Window Trim – Benjamin Moore, Ashwood

Sofa, Chaise – Lane Venture, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Table, Coffee – Formations, Holly Hunt

Table, Drink – Four Hands, Petrella Designs Inc., Troy

ADDITIONAL PROJECT CONTRIBUTORS

Architect – Tom Holleman, Thomas Holleman Architect, Birmingham

Builder – Eric Vogler, Eric Vogler

Construction, West Bloomfield

Painter – Mike Trudell, Trudell Custom Creations, Waterford

Tile and Stone Installer – Rich Horn, RJH Tile, Stone and Marble, Holly

| 248.669.7474 Detroit & Walled Lake, MI advanceplumbing.com

MICHAEL J. DUL & ASSOCIATES, INC.

248.644.3410 Birmingham, MI mjdul.com

PEWABIC TILE

313.626.2030 Detroit, MI pewabic.org/tile

PRM CUSTOM BUILDERS 248.240.3051

Bloomfield Hills, MI prmcustombuilders.com

ROCHE-BOBOIS

248.833.0300 NOVI, MI roche-bobois.com

SERENA & LILY 248.220.3024 Birmingham, MI serenaandlily.com

SMITHS HARDWOOD & CONSTRUCTION 586.218.7597 St. Clair Shores, MI smithshardwood.com

SULLIVAN STRICKLER DESIGN 313.492.8103 | 313.600.5498

Farmington Hills MI @su/livanstricklerdesign

THORNTON AND GROOMS 248.479.4925

Farmington Hills, MI thorntonandgrooms.com

TK DESIGN & ASSOCIATES 248.446.1960 South Lyon, MI tkhomedesign.com

Presented by

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THOM TIME

THOSE IN THE DESIGN industry who attended a Ghiordes Knot special event at the Michigan Design Center in Troy featuring Thom Filicia enjoyed a question-and-answer session with the renowned designer that transitioned into a cocktail party. Filicia was a main cast member on the first season of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” a reality television series highlighting design and fashion makeovers that was broadcast on the Bravo network. The Thom Filicia Home Collection is represented in several MDC showrooms. His rug line with Feizy Rugs (repped at Ghiordes Knot) headlined his visit. michigandesign.com

— By Megan Swoyer

2. Edmond Hagopian, Thom Filicia and Lago, Susan Todebush

3. Debi Hollis, Rita O’Brien, Heather Vercellino

4. Gigi Stempien, Jennifer Callahan, Mary Grace Dixon

5. Anna Versaci, Sarah Williams

6. David McGowen, Bridget Reaume

7. Jackie Barbieri, Mary Ann Husson

8. Sirona Brower, Sara Buffington

9. Sean Tennant, Doreen Hunter, Christopher Swint

10. Cori Eddy, Dawson Moore, Claire Daugherty, Edmond Hagopian, Thom Filicia, Joel Baird

11. Scott Monchnik, Emily McDonald

12. Karen Rea, Lilliana Lajcaj

13. Ruth Casper, Richard Daniels, Karine Snyder

14. Suzanne Hagopian, Diane Boufford

1. Vivian Khames, Jennifer Zebari

PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE “MJ” HATHAWAY

DESIGN TOWN

EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES SPONSORED BY DETROIT DESIGN

BOOKSTOCK USED BOOK AND MEDIA SALE

APRIL 23 - 30

LAUREL PARK PLACE, 37700 SIX MILE ROAD, LIVONIA, MI

BOOKSTOCKMI.ORG

Metro Detroit’s biggest and best used books and media sale returns to Livonia’s Laurel Park Place. Bookstock has 400,000-plus used books, DVDs, CDs, audio books, and records for sale at bargain-basement prices, and all proceeds benefit literacy and education projects throughout metropolitan Detroit and beyond. Bookstock’s Pre-Sale runs 8:15 – 11 a.m. Sunday, April 23. There is a $20 admission charge for the Pre-Sale only. The sale continues, running Sundays, 11 a.m. 6 p.m., and Monday through Saturday 11a.m.-7 p.m. New merchandise is added to the floor daily! Bookstock will celebrate teachers Tuesday and Wednesday with Teacher Appreciation Days discounts, and all books are half-price on Sunday, April 30. Neal Rubin of the Detroit Free Press is Bookstock Honorary Chair, and Detroit Public Schools Community District Deputy Superintendent Alycia Meriweather is Bookstock’s Honorary Chancellor. For more information, call 248-502-2849.

PROM REMODELED

MAY 13, 7 P.M. - 11 P.M.

DURFEE INNOVATION SOCIETY, 2470 COLLINGWOOD ST., DETROIT, MI

PROMREMODELED.ORG

Have you ever wished you could get a do-over for certain major life events? Prom Remodeled will be a chance to re-do or re-live your prom experience as we bring together the who’s who of Detroit’s philanthropy community and the influencers of Detroit neighborhoods for an incredible evening benefiting Life Remodeled and our neighborhood revitalization work. Experience the debut of what will be one of Detroit’s most iconic, must-attend annual events that will feature TWO national headlining entertainers and a “Taste of Detroit,” highlighting some of Detroit’s premier restaurants. Get your prom dresses and tuxedos ready to roll up in a limo, walk the red carpet and enjoy a variety of strolling hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at the Durfee Innovation Society. Will you go to the prom with us? This is an invite-only event, but sponsorships are still available. Please contact Omari Taylor at omari@liferemodeled.org or 313-744-3052, ext. 1001.

BUILDING A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR PONTIAC: AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

MAY 19, 6 P.M. - 10 P.M.

TRAVELING CHEF CATERING, LAFAYETTE GRANDE, 1 LAFAYETTE, PONTIAC, MI

PONTICACOMMUNITYFOUDATION.ORG

Celebrating five years, Pontiac Community Foundation continues to work diligently to make a broad impact in the city of Pontiac and has been able to leverage more than $10 million dollars in financial resources for the Pontiac community. Please join us in celebrating. Experience how Pontiac Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life for Pontiac residents by immersing yourself in our four focus areas: Neighborhood Investment, Economic Vitality, Civic Engagement and Racial Equity. The evening includes a sit-down dinner and short program.

HAVEN RESILIENCE GALA

MAY 18, 5:30 P.M. - 9 P.M.

SHEPHERD’S HOLLOW GOLF CLUB, 9085 BIG LAKE ROAD, CLARKSTON, MI

HAVEN-OAKLAND.ORG

Join HAVEN of Oakland County on May 18 at Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Club as we celebrate and honor survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The evening will feature survivors’ stories of hope and resilience while guests enjoy live music and entertainment, a silent auction, and a seated gourmet dinner. 5:30: VIP Cocktail Reception | 6:00: Silent Auction Opens | 6:30: Dinner is Served.

HAVEN is Oakland County’s only agency offering comprehensive services for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. HAVEN serves individuals and their families who take an enormous risk—the risk of moving themselves and their children away from everything they know. The transition out of domestic violence is unimaginably painful. Nevertheless, a step through HAVEN’s doors is a step toward safety and a bright future full of strength and serenity.

The annual Resilience Gala is HAVEN’s largest fundraiser, bringing in more than $300,000 for critical and necessary services. So many survivors flee domestic abuse with only the clothes on their backs. HAVEN works to empower each survivor with the tools they need to overcome and thrive. Each dollar raised allows HAVEN to accomplish its mission to empower survivors and their families.

Thank you to our Venue Sponsor, Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Club, for making this event possible.

Tickets to the event are $200 per person and include reserved seating. HAVEN offers a $75 Young Professional ticket option for those 35 and under. Purchase a VIP Table by April 17 for $2,000, which includes program and digital recognition, six VIP Gala Tickets, and reserved seating. Sponsorships are available.

Purchase tickets at haven-oakland.org. For more information about sponsorships, email development@haven-oakland.org.

UNDERGROUND JEWEL

You likely won’t see any molls in here, but The Upright certainly has plenty of beautiful speakeasy vibes,

TEXT BY MEGAN SWOYER | PHOTO BY SALLY MATAK

Designer Jen Childs sensed serendipity at work when she met Chef Jared Gadbaw at a fundraising event for a mutual friend in 2018. “Jared had just moved back to Michigan from New York and my husband, originally from Michigan, and I had just moved back here after working on a project in Shanghai,” says Childs, whose company, VERSA interior design, is based in Royal Oak. Gadbaw was looking for a designer for a restaurant and speakeasy-style bar he wanted to open in Detroit. “He wanted a designer with different perspectives,” Childs recalls.

She and her husband/business partner, Nick, visited the building (the historic building is a former film-processing center for Jam Handy, an event venue that’s located across the street and once was a renowned film production studio). Nick and Jen were blown away by its potential.

“The ceilings were incredible,” Childs enthuses, and says she began design work on the project almost immediately. The restaurant, Oak & Reel, opened in 2020 to rave reviews. At the end of 2021, the lower-level Upright bar, shown here, made its debut. “Jared wanted The Upright to feel intimate and classy, and almost like you had discovered a secret spot

that had always been there, a hidden jewel,” Childs says.

Working with a small space of no more than 500 square feet, Childs fashioned a clubby feel with different seating styles including a curved banquette. “I love the back bar and the wood and the beautiful bronze mirror (all built by BJ Construction Inc.). And I love the wallpaper (from The Detroit Wallpaper Co. in Ferndale),” she says. They found an antique door at Hamtramck’s Woodward Throwbacks. “The space has a bit of a rustic feel, with open ceilings and concrete floors, which relates to the main restaurant upstairs,” she says.

Childs, who obtained an interior design degree from George Washington University and a master’s in historic preservation from The Savannah College of Art & Design, says the project was right up her alley. “We didn’t want to overdress it or ruin the Detroit aesthetic,” she shares, adding, “We didn’t want to cover up what was there.” The designer says she relished her time spent on the project. “The great historic buildings in Detroit are just waiting for someone to do something with them,” she asserts.

MORE INFORMATION: versa-design.com. For more information on Oak & Reel and The Upright, visit oakandreel.com.

thanks to VERSA

DOWNRIGHT PRETTY A clubby feel with a variety of seating styles adorns The Upright.