Detroit Firehouse Condo Design Recommendations
Consultation Notes Ryan and Trevor are moving into a new condo space in Detroit, MI. The condo was once a firehouse in 1907 and is a loft-style unit in the heart of the Eastern Market. They need help coming up with a cohesive design plan, room layout, and identifying what pieces to begin focusing on as they build their collection (and prepare for House Hunters). Trevor is drawn to royal dark colors (golds, blues, greens, and even oranges) in velvets and rich-feeling fabrics. He loves a mix of industrial, traditional, and vintage. Currently, though, most of what they own is very much from Ikea and is very modern. Trevor does have a couple of heirlooms (trunk & dining set) along with some pieces of art that should influence the design plan. Ryan and Trevor would like the design plan to incorporate a fireplace and reclaimed wood. Additionally, they’d like us to highlight the original architectural elements/details of the condo space. Our goal is to put together a plan that is inspiring, balances a number of ideas and design objectives all while maximizing functionality and the budget.
Recommendations In order to create a solid foundation, we recommend updating the paint colors. All of the existing (almost baby blue) walls should be painted an off-white to match the ceiling. This will freshen up the look and take away the too-blue hue. The darker accent walls can either stay as is or be updated to a more earthy dark gray (should cover well over the existing dark bluegray). To add drama, the trim and railings can be painted black. This creates a regal look and will pop extremely well off of the off-white. It will also contrast much better than the maple shade to the color of the floor (which we recommend keeping as-is). See paint swatches (left page, middle) as examples. We believe that the reclaimed wood you are interested in using should not only be used for the fireplace, but also for the exterior walls of the guest bedroom buildout (2.5 walls) and in front of the kitchen counter (bar side). This will help to make it feel more cohesive since in a loft-style space you can view from many angles. We don’t want it to feel random just being on the fireplace. Additionally, we recommend using lighter shades (whiteish-gray tones) of the wood so that it can pop off the dark gray walls.
The fireplace should be installed with shelving on both sides and all the way to the ceiling (see floor plan for placement). In order to keep it from feeling too busy, no mantel should be added; however, you can have it raised up off the ground.
Have custom curtains/drapes added to the window wall in either a black velvet, linen, or silk-blend (your preference on material). This will compliment well with the black trim and will create a neutral, but dramatic accent to the original brick wall.
The furniture should be laid out according to the floor plan provided. This layout will maximize floor space, seating, and walk-throughs. Unfortunately, unless you get an upright piano, we don’t believe that a baby grand piano will fit in the space effectively.
Living room furniture should be a mix of traditional, vintage, and organic elements. The stand-out piece should be the couch. We recommend getting a couch that is 8-9 feet long (if possible). Wood, tufting, interesting lines, etc. This will be the piece you should focus on finding first. You can go with a neutral shade on the couch or a pop of color in navy, royal, or green. The important thing to keep in mind is that if you go with something neutral, then the pair of accenting club chairs in the cove should be in a color pop. If you go with a color pop, the accenting chairs should be in a neutral. Finding the couch will inform the decision on the chairs. In addition to two club chairs, we recommend adding a leather lounger (or leather chair and ottoman) to add some texture, richness, and depth to the space. In front of the couch, you should add a long, but thin metal coffee table (don’t want it to detract from the couch) and between the chairs, add an accent table. Additionally, a very large rug should be added underneath the space. An 11 x 13 rug would be ideal, but a 10 x 12 rug would also work. Rugs this size can be expensive, so if you wanted to go with something neutral here (like from RugsUsa or IKEA) this can help save money but still provide that anchor (exact rug color depends on couch color).
Example of how furniture can be selected & changed based on the couch you find. We used navy as the example, but any shade of blue or green should work with this concept.
Accents in the living room should be lamps/throw pillows/art in the color scheme (lamp between the two club chairs and floor lamps to accent the couch & lounger). You can also start to build your gallery wall to the left of the fireplace. We recommend starting by getting your limited edition poster print framed/matted and building around there with some of your vintage photos from the firehouse and other modern/vintage prints/paintings you find.
On the stair wall on the main floor (across from dining room), add a vintage dresser or buffet left aligned on the wall. On top you can place a tray for barware or mail, etc. Above it, hang or lean your print of JFK (framed or unframed). Add some stacked books or a vase for height differentials and additional styling elements. This piece will anchor that wall. If desired, place an upholstered chair next to it, From that hall leading to the living room, add a Persian, vintage rug runner for depth/texture/color. On the wall to the left of the guest bedroom door, place your vintage trunk for extra storage (blankets, games, etc.).
In the dining room area, add a neutral or semineutral colored rug underneath the floor to anchor the space. Recover your dining chairs (from your parent’s set) in a dark green texture as it will pop nicely off the wood. On the wall behind the dining set, add a mirror. We recommend adding a mirror that is metal and almost windowlike to mimic the windows on the main wall. We do not recommend using wood for the mirror as it would become too wood-heavy with the dining set and chairs in that small of a space. Hanging over the dining set, add a vintage chandelier (will need to install a way to hang it off the wall and then centered above the table). This chandelier will make a nice entrance pop and will set the regal tone for the entire space. In the hallway towards the door, add another Persian rug.
Long term in the kitchen, we recommend replacing the cabinets (keep your counter tops) with a white or off-white. Regardless of if/when you do that, we recommend adding some type of backsplash between the upper and lower cabinets in a white subway tile (all the way around). This will add texture, durability, and style to the kitchen (which it is lacking). In front of the countertop bar area, as previously mentioned, add the reclaimed wood effect. In front of the bar, add black metal stools. Again, this will break up the wood and will bring in black accents that will pop nicely off the light colored wood. Get stools without backs, too, so that its not competing too heavily with the dining chairs.
In the TV loft space, bring in your existing sectional & one of your Ikea bookcases to use as a TV stand and storage. Consider, though, to save room, mounting the TV on the wall. Add two round, wood ottomans as a coffee table element. Anything rectangular would take up all the space and box it in. Add some blankets and throw pillows to bring the color scheme together from the main floor to the upper floor.
For your bedroom, as discussed, we recommend moving your smaller sectional couch upstairs as it can fit for extra comfort. We recommend two options for your bed. First, as you mentioned, you can also use the wood planks behind the bed as a headboard. If you do this option, we recommend covering the whole bed wall and then adding very large comfy Euro shams and throw pillows to the bed to add the softness you need for a bedroom. The other option is to add an upholstered headboard. For both options, you may be able to utilize your existing frame. Our only concern with the first option is if the whole condo starts to feel too “woody�. In order to keep it minimal and due to the small space, we recommend floating shelves as side tables with plug-in wall sconces as opposed to table lamps on each side. Bed linens should be masculine in a white, gray, and navy.
So, what’s next?
Whew! That was a lot of information. Now that you have seen the inspiration/recommendations, soak it all in. Let us know if you have any questions. After processing the information, you have a couple of options. ü Call or e-mail to set up an appointment to discuss your likes/dislikes of the design and how we can move forward together with Hunt & Gather managing the project (we would discuss what items you would like to purchase yourself, what we should be hunting for, budget, and timeline). ü Start working on the room on your own (purchasing items, hunting for things, etc.) and only call us when you need clarification, recommendations, or final styling. Remember, the WHY is more important than the WHAT, so if you don’t like a pillow/lamp/etc. that we recommended, find something with similar lines or a similar purpose (or a cheaper price) and consider purchasing that instead! ü Nothing. This wasn’t what you were looking for, and you would like to discontinue working together. Additional pricing for services would be given at the follow-up meeting that fit your specific needs. Hope you Love the design concept! Can’t wait to hear from you!
THANK YOU Kelley Howley & Fernando Ramirez Hunt & Gather 951 Cherry St. SE design@huntandgatherGR.com