Isn’t That Special?

FLEX-SPACE FUN
“These clients are an active Grosse Pointe Farms family that wanted a multi-purpose space for entertaining family and friends. A pool table with spectator stools takes center stage with a linear billiard light fixture perched above. In addition, a pub-height game table is positioned nearby for cards or games and can accommodate snacks and hors d’oeuvres as well.

There are two glamorous white sofas for gathering around the fireplace with cocktails in the winter, and in summer months, the French doors open to a small patio to extend the party outdoors. I suggested that we use black-and-white photos on one wall, and the husband chose a Marilyn Monroe print while the wife selected Bob Marley. I love it when we can personalize a space in this way. It’s magic!” — Terry Ellis, Room Service Interior Design

TERRY’S FLEX-SPACE TIPS: 

• Space planning on a scaled floor plan is EVERYTHING. Your interior designer will do this after taking an inventory of all the items on your wish list. It's one of my favorite things about my job; putting together the jigsaw puzzle and making it work!
• Black and white is a timeless color scheme that can be easily revised with colorful accents over time.
• Be sure to add lighting with different illumination levels in the room. This space, for example, has recessed lighting, uplighting on the beams, floor lamps, and a billiard chandelier.

Available at MDC: Kravet/Lee Jofa/Brunschwig & Fils sofa and pillow fabric; CAI Designs cocktail table, barstools, wingback chairs, counter-height game table, and counter stools; The Ghiordes Knot custom area rug; Pindler drapery fabric and trim.

MUSIC LOUNGE
“This music room was part of a larger renovation we did for our Bloomfield Hills clients. Located off the foyer, it shares a cozy two-sided fireplace with the great room next door and functions as a lounge in addition to a music room. It’s a terrific space to have an intimate gathering.” — Jennifer Asmar, Asmar Interiors

JENNIFER’S MUSIC ROOM TIPS:

• Be sure to incorporate soft fabrics, rugs, and window treatments into your space. Not only will the space feel homey, but they absorb sound.
• Think about how guests will enjoy the space. Create a comfortable seating area for guests to enjoy the music. For example, we have fantastic jumper chairs that you can rock to the beat of the music. And add a bar cart for a lounge atmosphere!
• When designing a music room, the proper positioning of the piano is with the opening facing into the space. We did that in this room, but it doesn’t have a door, so there’s an added benefit of the music carrying into the surrounding spaces welcoming guests as they enter the home.

Available at MDC: Designer Group Collection lounge chairs and side table; CAI Designs accessories.

KITCHEN CURIO
“We had the unique opportunity to creatively showcase this Bloomfield Hills homeowner’s extensive collection of vintage silver, china, and copper that was previously stored out-of-sight in basement storage. The shelves were positioned to be the focal point at the entry of the pantry allowing the staging of over 50 years of collectibles. The adjacent remodeled kitchen offers ample storage for food and dishes, which gives an opportunity for this pantry to be used to highlight their collection instead of as traditional food storage.  

A moody deep green hue on the cabinetry shelves creates a dramatic contrast with the metal finishes of the serving pieces. The pantry also features a custom barn door that opens so the collection may be viewed while dining at the kitchen island. Function is still predominant in the pantry with a counter, lazy susan, deep storage drawers, and shelves positioned out of the line of sight. This pantry gives a fresh perspective on how to showcase the exceptional beauty of timeworn pieces.” — Ruth Casper, Ruth Casper Design Studio

RUTH’S ALTERNATIVE PANTRY TIPS:

• If your pantry can be viewed from the kitchen, make sure the visible shelves are organized with attractive storage bins or baskets that conceal items from sight.
• Not a cook? Use your pantry to display beautiful dishes, glassware, or copper pieces.
• With children, place the snack you want them to eat on lower shelves in clear storage. Sweets and other items should be out of reach or in concealed containers. Out of sight, out of mind.

Available at MDC: Benjamin Moore Vintage Vogue paint.

CLEAN LIVING
“The client wanted a multi-purpose room for laundry as well as a combo dog shower/ laundry tub as part of a renovation for their Birmingham home. The tub was raised off the floor and included a handheld shower for the dog along with a tub filler for cleaning buckets, and we created space under the tub for laundry baskets. For laundry use, a countertop was placed over the front-load washer and dryer. Additionally, a niche was built into the wall for soap products, along with a rod and fold-down rack for wet clothes. In the base cabinet, we added a drawer-mounted iron.” — Cynthia Evans, Cynthia Evans Interiors

CYNTHIA’S MULTI-PURPOSE SPACE TIPS: 

• When designing a multi-use space, be sure to consider all the tasks you want to accomplish to maximize the potential as well as the versatility and functionality of the room.
• Personalize the space with material choices such as different textures, patterns, or colors using fabrics, wallpaper, paint, and accessories.
• To avoid a busy or cluttered look, implement storage options such as cabinetry or built-in furniture to enclose and compartmentalize the different areas of use.

Available at MDC: Kravet/Lee Jofa/Brunschwig & Fils wallpaper; E.W. Kitchens cabinets.

ALL ACCESS
“We gutted the primary suite of this Clarkston home, and converted separate his and her closets and a vanity area into a larger combined closet. By changing the floor plan and moving the entrance we gained more space. The primary concerns were to fit all their belongings in this area as well as easy accessibility. To accomplish this, we made a full inventory of all their possessions so that there was a place for everything. Frequently, clients like to have their entire wardrobe accessible for travel, etc. and we were able to accommodate that. 

To give the space an open atmosphere, we used a lighter color scheme, kept the original window, and installed plenty of lighting for each of the closet compartments. The lights and glass fronts allow the clients to see all their belongings at a glance.” — Armina Kasprowicz, Armina Interiors

ARMINA’S CLOSET DESIGN TIPS:

• Function is primary. Consider some of these questions: What do you wear every day? Understanding your lifestyle makes a big difference.
• Take an inventory of all your belongings. This is time well spent, and an opportunity to let go of some of the things that no longer bring you joy. Once you know what you have, you can optimize a plan for your space.
• No matter the size, make it special. Perhaps you have a cherished family heirloom, like a hat or purse that you want to display. Or add a playful touch with wallpaper on the ceiling! 

Available at MDC: California Closets cabinetry; Lighting Resource Studio lighting.

PERFECT PANTRY
"A back pantry in this Nantucket-style retreat in Bloomfield Township exemplifies luxury living with thoughtful design and purpose. Positioned behind the main kitchen with convenient pocket doors, this well-appointed space features a double oven, dedicated sink, and an expansive food-prep area. The strategic placement creates a circular flow perfect for entertaining, while the awning window connecting to the back patio adds both natural light and functionality with its clever pass-through for outdoor dining. From accommodating bulk shopping to supporting elaborate dinner parties, this pantry seamlessly integrates into the home's entertainment-focused floor plan.” — Marianne Jones, Marianne Jones Interior Design

MARIANNE’S LARGE-SCALE PANTRY TIPS:

• Create a Circular Flow: Position your pantry to complement the main kitchen's traffic pattern, allowing for effortless movement between spaces. Consider incorporating pocket doors to maintain flexibility – they can hide meal prep during parties while keeping the space accessible when needed.
• Design for Double Duty: Include key appliances and a dedicated prep zone to establish a secondary kitchen space. This setup allows the pantry to function both as storage and as an auxiliary cooking area, perfect for caterers or simultaneous meal preparation.
• Connect Indoor and Outdoor Spaces: When possible, incorporate windows or pass-throughs that link the pantry to outdoor entertainment areas. This thoughtful addition not only brings in natural light but also enhances the functionality of both spaces during gatherings.

Available at MDC: Ann Sacks backsplash tile.

ALL-INCLUSIVE ENTERTAINMENT
“This lower-level rec room was designed for a younger family looking for a flexible space to entertain. The space boasts nine to ten-foot-high ceilings, heated flooring, and encompasses a large entertaining area with ample seating, a full kitchen, pool table area, yoga room, workout room, sauna and cold plunge pool, and a music room where their son plays the drums. A staircase off the seating area leads out to the pool and outdoor entertainment area.” — Arturo Sanchez, Art | Harrison Interiors

“When designing the space, we had a monstrous wall that we needed to fill. While chatting with the husband, who is a big collector of Ducati motorcycles, he told us that he was planning on storing a pair of bikes that he no longer rode. That’s when we decided to showcase them. Ducati motorcycles have hollow axels, so we worked with the builder even before the space was drywalled to install special custom pins in the wall to position the bikes. If the motorcycles are drained of fluid, they are light enough to hang. Another staircase located behind the pool table leads to the garage. We often design this for convenience, but it was especially so when installing the motorcycles.” — Barry Harrison, Art | Harrison Interiors

ARTURO AND BARRY’S REC ROOM DESIGN TIPS: 

• Consistency in color is important. We focused on the colors red and steel throughout the lower level, and stone pillars extend from the basement up through the house.
• Be playful! There’s no need to be conservative in a lower-level space. This is a place to be more creative and imaginative. We used bold patterned fabric for the sectional sofa, a large wall mural, and of course the motorcycles.
• Get your designer involved right from the beginning. We worked with the builders when the plans were still being established on paper. This allows for special features such as the custom motorcycle brackets to be built in.
• Don’t overcrowd the space with furniture. This will offer plenty of flexibility for entertaining or general use.

Available at MDC: CAI Designs chair; Rozmallin sofa fabric; Flooring Design rug; Ann Sacks fireplace tile; Cercan Tile flooring; Lighting Resource Studio lighting.

BEHIND THE MUSIC
“This personal music studio in Birmingham has a dedicated production area to create music, improvise with friends, and engineer recordings in a relaxed atmosphere. One of the challenges designing this space was finding a solution for sound quality control. This included eliminating echo, background noise, and reverb. It was resolved by installing made-to-measure acoustic panels. The overall design was influenced by a vintage rug that served as a focal point. There’s also a beautiful pendant in the corner of the room that is wired to a switch in the kitchen. It’s a ‘come-to-dinner’ signal. One can easily get lost in the creative process and forget you’re needed at 6 p.m. to make the salad, so that little light is a marriage saver!” — Joanne Ledbetter, Joanne Ledbetter Designs

JOANNE’S MUSIC STUDIO TIPS:

• Really understanding the function and performance of your space is key. It allows your designer to fine tune your space and make sure your specifications are fulfilled.
• Research solutions for special needs. Customizations take time, so be patient with the process. You’ll have years of enjoyment which makes it well worth the wait.
• Sound quality is essential when building a residential music studio. It’s important to invest in professional acoustic solutions. We even customized the color of the acoustic panels to match our color scheme.

Available at MDC: Verce Design cocktail table; Lighting Resource Studio lighting.