ANAHI HOLLIS DESIGN The bathroom in this Brush Park carriage house in Detroit won first place in Interior Use of Tile for its imaginative materials and attention to detail. // Photograph by Martin VecchioMillwork Photograph by Martin Vecchio 1st Place - Brian Neeper Architecture, PC with Jessica Neeper Interiors at Brian Neeper Architecture, PC Custom-designed millwork details cover the walls, ceilings, and built-ins that define the spaces in this home, creating a cohesive concept. The home exudes rich detail, thanks to an understated elegance of clean lines and forms. Wide-plank shiplap is used throughout, to set a base scale and clean line reference point. Ceiling beams, built-ins, window seats, and special details make this home truly custom.Judge's Insights:The ceilings in this home (by Brian Neeper Architecture, PC with Jessica Neeper Interiors at Brian Neeper Architecture, PC) are amazing! — Judge Iantha CarleyPhotograph by James Haefner 2nd Place - DesRosiers Architects with Vogue Furniture Photograph by Beth Singer 3rd Place - CBI Design Professionals Inc. with Integrated Architectural InteriorsStair and Railing Photograph by Beth Singer 1st Place - VanBrouck and Associates with Ellwood Interiors The open stairway of this Prairie-style lakehouse was thoughtfully placed in the core of the home, becoming a sculptural piece of modern art around which the open-floor-plan spaces are arranged. The beautifully articulated horizontal and vertical lines that define the exterior architecture are repeated in the design of the stairway, rendered in wood, metal, and glass, with minimalistic detailing. A glass-and-metal railing creates a light and airy aura.Photograph by Beth Singer 2nd Place - Jones-Keena & Co. with Gallery Steel | Northern Staircase Co. Photograph by Gary J. Gavulic 3rd Place - Gary J. Gavulic - Architecture & Design, LLCDecorative Glass and Mirror Photograph by Beth Singer 1st Place - VanBrouck | Luxe Homes with Ellwood Interiors Inc. The design of the art glass was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West and Georgia O’Keeffe’s painting “Ram’s Head White Hollyhock and Little Hills,” and the spiritual beauty of the American Southwest. The panels are composed of iridescent Youghiogheny Glass, which is handmade with a texture that gives it a dappled effect; double-rolled Bullseye glass, which creates a more solid color; and “found pieces” of glass.Photograph by Beth Singer 2nd Place - Ellwood Interiors Inc. with VanBrouck & Associates | Vantage ConstructionPhotograph by Robert Fender 3rd Place - John R. Glass, LLCFlooring/Rugs Photograph by Beth Singer 1st Place - Ellwood Interiors Inc. with VanBrouck & Associates | Scott Group Photograph by Andrew Zecchini 2nd Place - Yarema Photograph by Jean Sweet 3rd Place - Patricia Rhodes ConsultingInterior Use of Stone Photograph by Beth Singer 1st Place - Ann-Marie Anton For It's Personal Design A honed, oversized marble was used on the floors throughout the living room and kitchen, as well as in a polished slab for the fireplace. The goal was to create a quiet elegance that will transcend time and create a beautiful, neutral backdrop for the home’s remaining elements.Judge's Insights:The basin-less sink elevates this kitchen by C-ARC Design with SLS Designs Inc. to the next level!— Judge Iantha CarleyPhotograph by Jeff Garland 2nd Place - Angelini & Associates Architects wtih Johnson Brothers Construction Ann Arbor Photograph by Beth Singer 3rd Place - C-Arc Design with SLS Designs Inc.Interior Use of Tile Photograph by Martin Vecchio 1st Place - Anahi Hollis Design Above the freestanding Ceric tub by Kohler, a section of exposed brick became the starting point for the design, serving as the inspiration for the terra cotta and gray palette. The vision brings pattern, texture, and a refined, modern aesthetic to this bathroom through the application of interesting and unexpected surfaces. Creating a quiet push-pull of contrast and coordination, it achieves a cohesiveness that avoids feeling matchy-matchy.Photograph by Meghan Labra 2nd Place - Labra Design Build Photograph by Martin Vecchio 3rd Place - Armina InteriorsInterior/Exterior Lighting Photograph by Martin Vecchio 1st Place - Vogue Furniture with Dayna Flory Interiors There’s nothing more impactful in a space than illumination, and considerable thought went into the design of this home’s lighting. Each room has modern, recessed ceiling details with warm uplighting. This unique feature not only achieves an encapsulating energy on the interior, but in the evening the home has an alluring glow. In the kitchen, layers of light make it the perfect heart of the home.Judge's Insights: This lighting (by Jones-Keena & Co.) is very ethereal. — Judge Iantha CarleyPhotograph by Beth Singer 2nd Place - Ann-Marie Anton for It's Personal Design Photograph by Beth Singer 3rd Place - Jones-Keena & Co.Fireplace Photograph by Karl Moses 1st Place - Oliver Max Inc. with HM Homes Black stone etched in a cross-hatched pattern with a matte-etched finish evokes the colors of the home’s exterior, but also adds a textural element. The large, complex beveled opening not only lends drama, but also accommodates local heat specification for code. To the left of the asymmetrical fireplace, an elegant and tall metal bookshelf recalls the clean lines of the exterior siding and adjacent windows.Photograph by Beth Singer 2nd Place - Ann-Marie Anton for It's Personal Design Photograph by Beth Singer 3rd Place - C-Arc Design with SLS Designs Inc.Custom Cabinet Installation Photograph by Martin Vecchio 1st Place - Vogue Furniture with Dayna Flory Interiors Each elevation of this space stands independently, creating detail and dimension while melding seamlessly with one another. The verticality of the Sapele cabinetry acts as a bridge, wrapping the corner to connect the fireplace and staircase. Multilevel asymmetric niches provide space for the family’s books, art, and pottery, showcasing the homeowner’s personality. Feel free to curl up with a good book by the warm fire!Photograph by Beth Singer 2nd Place - Maison Birmingham with Marianne Jones Photograph by Jeff Garland 3rd Place - Mainstreet Design BuildCustom Furniture Photograph by Justin Maconochie 1st Place - Vogue Furniture with InteriorSource, LLC. Whether it’s game day or movie night, this Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann circa-1920s reproduction piece is brought into the 21st century with the touch of a button, revealing a 65-inch TV. The inlaid detail consists of a white composite emulating Ruhlmann’s work. The demilune facade is bathed in inlaid rosewood with a diamond pattern and marquetry. Half-moon custom bronze door pulls add jewelry to this French Deco classic.Judge's Insights: Maison Birmingham with Sullivan-Strickler Design’s project is well thought out. I really like the attention to detail. Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry visually increases the height of the space. And it’s a great custom finish! — Judge Iantha CarleyPhotograph by Martin Vecchio 2nd Place - Maison Birmingham with Sullivan-Strickler Design Photograph by Martin Vecchio 3rd Place - Ganas MFGRepurposed Furniture Photograph by Irum Ibrahim of M.A. Studios 1st Place - Reem Akkad Design This client wanted his office to embody his love of cars. A search through a junkyard in England yielded a series II Land Rover. All engine compartments were removed and the car was painted. The frame was lifted and mounted on four iron legs, and the headlights were retrofitted with a low-voltage circuit to light up when in use. Galvanized steel planters frame the desk.Photograph by Werner Straube 2nd Place - Laura Zender Design Photograph by Beth Singer 3rd Place - Ellwood Interiors Inc. with Luxe HomesDetroit Design Awards 2021 Judges Details Exteriors Interiors Homes Commercial Design Rising Star Readers' Choice
It’s the night before the spring furniture market in North Carolina, and Bernard “Bernie” Moray, chairman and CEO of Gorman’s furniture, is breaking in new shoes for his trip.
“It’s a grind,” the 80-something Franklin resident says of the High Point, the world’s largest furnishings industry trade show. “The buyers become totally exhausted, [so] shoes are important,” Moray says. His Rockport footwear will take him from display room to display room, from glad-handing manufacturers to late dinner with associates.
Even with all the hoopla and long hours, Moray never considers these excursions anything but exciting. And he always finds yet another furniture line to add to his offerings. “If you don’t have a passion for what you do, then it’s just a job,” he says.
Moray has been engrossed in all things Gorman’s since buying the company from Ben Gorman 45 years ago. Gorman opened his Detroit-based company in 1940 — making this the 70th anniversary year. Initially, Gorman focused on damaged railroad freight, such as canned goods. Eventually, he worked with damaged furniture, repairing it.
Today, Gorman’s focuses on quality craftsmanship and fine styling at its stores in Southfield, Troy, Novi, and Shelby Township.
Moray, a Detroit native, began his career at Robinson’s Furniture, where he stayed for 18 years until leaving to start his own business. In 1966, he opened his first Gorman’s store in Southfield. “That was considered the boondocks back then,” he says. In those days, he says, there were about 700 furniture stores here (“on every corner, just like drug stores”).
Of his current inventory, Moray is most proud of Stickley, a manufacturer that’s more than a century old. “We picked that up a couple of years ago, and it’s been extremely popular and top-notch when it comes to quality,” he says. In addition to the high-end sofas, chairs, tables, lamps, and accessories, Gorman’s has 60 designers divided among its four locations.
Over its seven-decade lifespan, Gorman’s has added a high-profile lineup of manufacturers, including Hooker, Hickory White, and Drexel Heritage. Designer lines, such as Tommy Bahama, Nautica, Martha Stewart, and Ralph Lauren, round out the offerings.
This season, Gorman’s is adding Woodard, Brown Jordan International, Henredon Furniture, Barbara Barry and Lloyd/Flanders to its resort-living offerings. Most of these outdoor pieces are made in Michigan.
What’s next for the retail store? Stay tuned. Moray (with the help of his Rockports) was primed for another hunt in North Carolina.
