How Entertaining

LOUNGING AROUND
“This West Bloomfield homeowner requested a space to entertain her guests on special occasions that is still cozy enough to enjoy day-to-day. This area is adjacent to the great room and needed to feel like it’s part of the house—not strictly a bar. The high-gloss bar complements the brass mesh cabinet doors, and a waterfall countertop gives this wine lounge a sophisticated look. The glass nano wall door opens the full length of the wall and provides a perfect place to enjoy the view of the outside terrace, which offers more entertaining space as well.” — Heather Duggan, Heather Duggan Interiors

HEATHER’S ENTERTAINING DESIGN TIPS:

• We love making a space warm and cozy during the holiday season by leaning into the existing lighting. Putting lights on a dimmer and lowering them when appropriate is the perfect way to create a comfortable ambiance for a holiday get-together. 
• Invigorate your senses with a natural fir-scented candle. There’s nothing better than being in a space with a soft scent.
• Fresh flowers are a must. They’re the ideal decor in a small space during the holiday season. Grab your favorite vase and add a seasonal floral arrangement.

Favorite Holiday Decorative Touch: Layers of décor. Pick your theme and run with it!

Available at MDC: Chatham House Lifestyle Gallery: A Verellen Boutique floor hide and candle sconce, CAI Designs swivel chairs, cocktail table, and counter pendants, Rozmallin sofa fabric, Designer Furniture Services + Fabrics sofa pillow fabric.

MULTI-LEVEL MERRY MAKING
“The plan for this Birmingham home was to have separate spaces for entertaining that allowed for casual gatherings, as well as a space for family-style dining. The lower level is the perfect pre-dinner area for sipping warm, spiked cider and grazing on snacks while watching the Lions or playing a board game. The bar area is ideal for serving appetizers with seating for four, while the banquette seats four more guests. A special feature in the space is the floating tv console, which doubles as concealed storage for informal serveware, dinnerware, and board games.

The cozy dining room showcases a fireplace, and the unexpected detail of woven wallpaper on the ceiling. The repurposed cabinet is functional as well as decorative and displays vintage Art Deco fine china and crystal. When needed, the dining table can expand for 10 additional guests.” — Margaret Skinner, Margeaux Interiors

MARGARET’S ENTERTAINING DESIGN TIPS:

• Lighting Sets the Ambiance: Dimmers are a must, as well as different layers to accent art pieces and architectural details. Candles allow place settings and glassware to sparkle.
• Declutter: Some of the day-to-day accessories and furnishings may need to take a “mini vacation” in the storage closet to allow the holiday decor to shine and not feel cluttered.
• Flowers, Flowers, Flowers: Carry a theme, style, or color throughout your home with dining centerpieces, an accent in the guest bath, a welcoming arrangement at the entry, and low, compact vases with serveware at buffets.

Favorite Holiday Decorative Touch: Reuse unexpected items. Multiple low candle holders can be repurposed as vases to create a floral dining centerpiece, or pair a small votive at each place setting for a personalized arrangement. Transform a bowl by adding shimmery, glass ornaments and evergreens.

Available at MDC: Lower-Level Bar Area: Tennant & Associates wallcovering, Sherwin-Williams paint, City Lights Detroit ceiling light fixture, Hard Rock Stone Works countertop. Lounge Area: CAI Designs tables, sofa, and chair, Pindler pillow fabric, Tennant & Associates pillow fabric, Kravet/Lee Jofa/Brunschwig & Fils pillow fabric, The Ghiordes Knot area rug. Dining Room: Tennant & Associates ceiling covering, Pindler drapery fabric, Sherwin-Williams wall and cabinet paint.

DESIGNER’S DREAM
“With their love of color, these long-standing Northville clients are a designer’s dream. This space is the hub of their home, and it was important to the homeowners to include an existing orange swivel chair and colorful art collection. This made the redesign a bit challenging, but so satisfying when it all came together. The living space is open to the kitchen with a powder room connected, making this space perfect for entertainment. Our clients wanted the room to be colorful and fun, yet warm and welcoming. They requested a fireplace area with abundant seating options for their guests. The space needed to offer the comfort of a typical family room yet be consistent with our client’s elegant aesthetic. There’s a nice mix of warm and cool colors, along with layered texture from wallcovering applications that create a welcoming and interesting space for entertaining.” — Lauren Guidry, GHK Design Collaborative

• Use layers of lighting to set the mood! For example, you’ll need enough lighting to prepare your food and showcase your holiday spreads, but you may also want the option to dim the lights for an intimate champagne toast.
• It’s important to offer versatile seating options when entertaining, and flexibility is important. When designing a space, we always ask the number of people our clients want to accommodate during the holidays. This way, a table for example, is selected for the space knowing that it will extend to meet their needs and make their guests comfortable. 
• Maintain defined spaces in an open floor plan for a warm and inviting atmosphere. If you have an open floorplan with nothing to ground the rooms, it can feel cold and uninviting. By adding rugs in each area to separate spaces, or a wallcovering on an accent wall, you create a natural and comfortable flow in your home.

Favorite Holiday Decorative Touch: My favorite holiday decorative touch is wrapping a ribbon around a dining chair and tying a bow on the back. It’s elegant and is an opportunity to add a pop of color! 

Available at MDC: Kravet/Lee Jofa/Brunschwig &Fils accent pillow fabric, large ottoman fabric, and ceiling and accent wall covering, Sherwin-Williams wall paint, Schumacher hexagon ottoman fabric and lumbar pillow fabric, Cercan Tile fireplace tile, The Shade Store window shades.
 

FAN FAVORITE
“The family has young adult children, and they wanted a luxurious space in their Bloomfield Hills home to host their many guests. This dramatic two-story bar and sipping room are part of a modern home which we completely renovated. It’s centrally located in the house and features floor-to-ceiling picture windows (not shown here). The walls are treated in dark, polished black venetian plaster while the green velvet upholstery mimics the outside gardens and landscape. It definitely encourages conversation and socializing. A custom metal ‘D’ adorning the bar pays homage to the homeowners' college alma mater: the University of Dayton Flyers. Multiple above-the-bar televisions allow family and friends to cheer for their favorite team!” — Nicole Withers, Jones-Keena & Co.

NICOLE’S ENTERTAINING DESIGN TIP:

• I like to use a theme when entertaining. I also enjoy using family antique serveware and arranging flowers in small antique glassware. Candlelight is always key.

Favorite Holiday Decorative Touch: I like to use live greenery.

Available at MDC: Kravet/Lee Jofa/Brunschwig & Fils custom upholstered faux leather bar-front panels, banquette chair upholstery, and banquette pillow fabric, CAI Designs custom chandelier and tasting area dual-stool tables.