Best of Detroit Home

Best of Detroit Home 2018

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The results are in! We asked our readers, in an online poll, to share with us their favorite people, stores, services, and more when it comes to getting work done around the house or adding that something special that makes a house a home. Here’s a look at their top picks, from stone masons to lighting shops to cabinetry experts.

STORIES AND TIPS BY MARIANNE GAMBOA, LINDA LADERMAN, HONEY MURRAY, AND JUDITH HARRIS SOLOMON

Illustration by jacqui Oakley | Photos by martin vecchio

PLACES TO BUY | SERVICES | PEOPLE · FIRM · COMPANY

PLACES TO BUY

BLINDS
Gorman’s Home Furnishings & Interior Design | Several locations | gormans.com

BRICK & STONE
Albaugh Masonry Stone & Tile | Pontiac | (248) 335-4850 | albaughmasonry.com

CABINETRY
EuroAmerica Design | Troy | (248) 649-8950 | euroamericadesign.com

CARPETING
Hagopian World of Rugs | Several locations | originalhagopian.com

CABINETRY COUTURE
No matter what your needs are, EuroAmerica Design has the perfect look.
Rob Nusbaum, CEO and owner of EuroAmerica Design, winner of Best Cabinetry and Best Closet Design/Organizational System, Single Location, in Troy, says the most exciting part of his business is “to be able to accomplish a project that results in complete satisfaction for our clients.”

With a 15,000-square-foot showroom, EuroAmerica Design is recognized throughout the region for offering European cabinetry to fit a variety of room configurations.

“The fact that we deal primarily with European cabinets gives us an advantage when we’re working with smaller spaces. In Europe, most people don’t have big kitchens like we have in America. So, for example, if you don’t have room for a walk-in pantry, there are cabinets that can blend right into the kitchen. You don’t even know it’s a pantry until you open it,” Nusbaum says.

Nusbaum credits his staff of designers for turning their clients’ needs into spaces that accurately reflect the way they live.

“We ask a lot of questions to get a sense of the lifestyle they live now and the one they’re trying to achieve. That’s really what we’re creating. It’s not just a room full of cabinets; it’s a lifestyle,” Nusbaum says. “That takes a real team effort.”

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “To make sure we satisfy each individual customer, because no two kitchens or clients are exactly the same,” Nusbaum says.

CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE
SINGLE LOCATION
Nadeau — Furniture with a Soul | Birmingham | (248) 723-7995 | furniturewithasoul.com
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Gorman’s Home Furnishings & Interior Design | gormans.com

COUNTERTOPS
Ciot | Troy | (248) 288-8888 | ciot.com

FABRIC
Haberman Fabrics | Clawson | (248) 541-0010 | habermanfabrics.com

FIREPLACE
American Fireplace & Barbecue | Ferndale | (248) 547-6777 | americanfireplace.net

FITNESS EQUIPMENT/ACCESSORIES
American Home Fitness | Several locations | americanhomefitness.com

FLOORING
SINGLE LOCATION
The Carpet Guys | Troy | (248) 781-0098 | carpetguys.com
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Hagopian World of Rugs | originalhagopian.com

GENERATORS
Randazzo Heating & Cooling | Macomb, Shelby Township | (586) 204-6416 | callrandazzo.com

HARDWARE
Russell Hardware Co. | Bloomfield Township | (248) 644-0100 | russellhardware.com

CHAIN
Home Goods | Several locations | homegoods.com

KITCHEN ACCESSORIES
SINGLE LOCATION
Leon & Lulu | Clawson | (248) 288-3600 | leonandlulu.com

CHAIN (TIE)
Sur La Table | Several locations | surlatable.com
Williams Sonoma | Several locations | williams-sonoma.com

CRISTIONS COVERS IT
For 22 years, personal service and attention to detail has set Cristions Fine Linen & Down — winner of Best Bedding, Single Location — in Birmingham apart from the often-mechanical experience of buying from big box and online retailers.

“Our customers look for our direction on how to decorate a bedroom, and there’s no extra cost for our design assistance,” Steve Coval, co-owner of Cristions, says. “We spend hours with our customers to help them with their choices. You don’t get that level of service online.” Coval and his business partner, Kathy Thornton, have branched out, producing their own products and supplying custom bedding to upscale hotels.

“We were awarded the job of providing all of the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester’s bath and bedding needs,” Coval says. Since then they’ve supplied linen and down products to dozens of small luxury boutique hotels across the country.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: Showrooming, Coval says, which is when potential customers come into the store for advice after they’ve seen something online, then turn around and order the product from a company with a large online presence.

NURSERY/GARDEN SUPPLIES
SINGLE LOCATION
Goldner Walsh | Pontiac | (248) 332-6430 | goldnerwalsh.com
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
English Gardens | englishgardens.com

OFFICE FURNITURE
Ash Showroom | Bloomfield Hills | (248) 462-7089 | ashshowroom.com

OUTDOOR KITCHEN
Bill & Rod’s Appliance | Livonia | (734) 425-5040 | billandrodsappliance.com

OUTDOOR LIGHTING
Lighting Resource Studio | Troy | (248) 649-9311 | michigandesign.com

OUTDOOR SPECIALTY STRUCTURES (GAZEBOS, PERGOLAS, ETC.)
Patio Plus Outdoor Furniture | Northville | (248) 347-6190 | patioplusoutdoorfurniture.com

PAINT
Sherwin-Williams | Several locations | sherwin-williams.com

PET SUPPLIES
Premier Pet Supply | Several locations | premierpetsupply.com

HARDWARE HEAVEN
I definitely grew up in this business,” says Alan Brown, managing partner/vice president of Russell Hardware Co. ,winner of Best Hardware, in Bloomfield Hills. “My dad, John, and Bill McBride (whose family started the business as McBride House of Hardware in 1910) grew up together. At 17, it was natural for me to start working at what had, by then, become Russell Hardware.” Brown says he began his career at Russell Hardware sweeping floors and unloading trucks, before advancing to a position where he filled phone orders and handled sales.

“Over the years, I came and left two or three times,” he admits. “I worked in the corporate world, serving as a director of operations. In 2006, I was given the great opportunity to return as a managing partner of this longstanding and unique business, which now goes way beyond hardware. We’re the only showroom in metro Detroit with plumbing, hardware, lighting, and surfaces, like tile. And we offer the electronics and technology that are finally making their way into the door-hardware world.”

Brown says Russell Hardware carries smartphone-operated entry sets, which have become popular with many customers.

“With our Baldwin brand,” Brown says, “there’s an app that lets you select door hardware by showing you what it would look like in your entryway before you purchase it.” He says he enjoys the many new hardware choices that homeowners and builders are offered. “We’re excited that color is finally coming back into cabinet and other hardware, with over 32 assorted finishes. But, most of all, we’re excited to be a family business that remains right up there with the best.”

HIGH POINT: “Taking a business which, in 2006, had one computer and no website and, using my corporate operations experience, implementing a whole new operating system that has allowed us to compete successfully with multinational, billion-dollar conglomerates like Restoration Hardware and Ferguson, and still offer the best personal service,” Brown says.

RUGS
SINGLE LOCATION
Birmingham Design Studio | Birmingham | (248) 723-8888 | birminghamdesignstudio.com
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Hagopian World of Rugs | originalhagopian.com

SIDING
Northville Lumber | Northville | (248) 349-0220 | northvillelumber.com

SPA/HOT TUB
Temo Sunrooms | Clinton Township | (800) 344-8366 | temosunrooms.com

TILE
Virginia Tile Co. | Several locations | virginiatile.com

WALLPAPER
Michigan Design Center | Troy | (248) 649-4770 | michigandesign.com

WINDOW TREATMENTS
Huntington Window Fashions | Troy | (248) 649-5530 | hwfashions.com

WINDOWS
1-800-HANSONS | Several locations | (888) 497-8930 | hansons.com

WINE
SINGLE LOCATION
Old Woodward Cellar | Birmingham | (248) 792-5452 | oldwoodwardcellar.com
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Plum Market | plummarket.com

SERVICES

AIR QUALITY MAINTENANCE
Hagopian Cleaning Services | Oak Park | (800) 424-6742 | originalhagopian.com

ARBORIST/TREE SERVICE
Trees & Co. | Pontiac | (977) 507-TREE | treesandcompany.com

ATHLETIC COURT DESIGN/BUILD
Mosher & Associates | Royal Oak | (248) 391-3095 | mosherandassociates.com

BAR DESIGN/BUILD
Whiski Kitchen Design Studio | Royal Oak | (248) 629-0058 | whiski-kitchen.com

BASEMENT FINISHING
Detroit Build | Royal Oak | (248) 677-0551 | detroitbuild.com

BASEMENT WATERPROOFING
Basement Waterproofing of Michigan | Madison Heights | (248) 840-8086 | (800) 379-5240 | waterproofmacomb.com

CABINETRY DESIGN/INSTALLATION
SINGLE LOCATION
Maison Birmingham | Birmingham | (248) 203-6006 | maisonbirmingham.com
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
KSI Kitchen and Bath | ksikitchens.com

IN GOOD TASTE
KSI Kitchen and Bath, winner of Best Cabinetry Design/ Installation, Multiple Locations, has seven design centers throughout Michigan and Ohio — a reach that has allowed designer Brooke Dando to take her 16-year career in a new direction. “Before I came to KSI I wasn’t able to be as hands-on as I am now,” Dando says. “I’d worked on new-construction homes, but didn’t get involved as much as I do with KSI. Now I’m at the site every day, doing everything from top to bottom. It’s literally the best place I’ve ever worked in all of these 16 years.” KSI’s five-step process, called Bringing Design Home, means “going through every step of the process where we define, discover, design, determine, and deliver,” she says.

One of Dando’s most recent projects was for her best friend, who asked her to design cabinetry space for a new kitchen, bath, and bar.

“You always hear ‘Don’t work for friends or family,’ but to be involved in the process with my friend was incredible,” Dando says. “I’m so glad she was able to confide in me and trust me. It was actually amazing.”

HIGH POINT: Coming to work for KSI. “I can honestly say this is like home to me,” she says.

CARPET CLEANING
Hagopian Cleaning Services | Oak Park | (800) 424-6742 | originalhagopian.com

CHIMNEY SWEEP
Dr. Sweep | Several locations | (855) 377-9337 | drsweep.com

CLOSET DESIGN/ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEM
SINGLE LOCATION
EuroAmerica Design | Troy | (248) 649-8950 | euroamericadesign.com
CHAIN
California Closets | (248) 301-2160 | (855) 260-0970 | californiaclosets.com

DISASTER RECOVERY SERVICE
Belfor Property Restoration | Livonia | (734) 261-7764 | (800) 856-3333, 24-hour emergency line | belfor.com

DOCK INSTALLATION/REMOVAL
Decks N’ Docks Marine | Clarkston, West Bloomfield | decksndocksmarine.com

DRIVEWAY SPECIALIST
Cranbrook Pavement | Beverly Hills | (248) 594-5551 | cranbrookpavement.com

DUCT CLEANING
Safety King | Utica | (586) 731-4720 | safetyking.com

FENCE/GATE DESIGN
Michael J. Dul & Associates | Birmingham | (248) 644-3410 | mjdul.com

FOUNDATION REPAIR/WATERPROOFING
Basement Waterproofing of Michigan | Madison Heights | (248) 840-8086 | (800) 379-5240 | waterproofmacomb.com

FURNITURE REFINISHING/RESTORATION
Guaranteed Furniture Services Inc. | Berkley | (248) 545-1130 | guaranteedfurniture.com

GUTTER CLEANING
G&S Window Washing & Gutter Cleaning Inc. | Troy | (248) 593-8277 | gswindowwashing.com

HEATING AND COOLING SPECIALIST
Luedtke Heating & Cooling | Harrison | (586) 463-3823 | luedtkeheatingandcooling.com

HOME EQUITY LOAN
Huntington Bank | Several locations | huntington.com

HOME SECURITY
Securatech | Farmington Hills | (248) 522-1626 | securatech.com

HOME THEATER/AUDIO/VIDEO SPECIALIST
SoundCheck Inc. | Southfield | (248) 440-5996 | soundcheckinc.com

HOUSE CLEANING
Hagopian Cleaning Services | Oak Park | (800) 424-6742 | originalhagopian.com

INSULATION SPECIALIST
The Insulation Guys | Livonia | (734) 679-4555 | tiginsulation.com

IRRIGATION/SPRINKLER INSTALLATION
Michigan Automatic Sprinkler Inc. | Commerce Township | (248) 669-1100 | michiganautomatic.com

JUNK REMOVAL
1-800-GOT-JUNK? | (800) 468-5865 | 1800gotjunk.com

LAWN MAINTENANCE/SNOW REMOVAL
Urban Landscapes | Ferndale | (248) 835-7256

MOVING SERVICES
Changing Places | Waterford | (248) 674-3937 | changingplacesmovers.com

PARTY CATERER/EVENT PLANNERS
Two Unique | Detroit, Royal Oak | (248) 549-5242 | twounique.com

PARTY VALET
StarTrax Events | Ferndale | (248) 263-6300 | startrax.com

WHAT’S AILING YOUR FIREPLACE? DR. SWEEP KNOWS
Seventeen years ago, after selling a computer company that he owned, John White says he “stumbled across a job in the chimney business.” A few years later, he decided to purchase the company.

Today that company, Dr. Sweep, winner of Best Chimney Sweep, has 20 employees and cleans “at least a few thousand chimneys a year,” the Detroit native says. Dr. Sweep customers receive a top-to-bottom sweep, a written condition report, and a camera inspection of the entire chimney. “We’re one of the only companies in southeast Michigan that does camera inspections — probably because the cameras we use are so expensive,” White says. “Each one costs approximately $7,000.”

The company also repairs and installs gas fireplaces, and works with home builders to install fireplaces and chimneys from the ground up.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: Making customers understand the importance of maintaining their chimneys. “They need to understand that if there’s an issue they need to get it fixed, because a dirty chimney can cause fires and carbon monoxide issues. We’re not trying to use scare tactics, it’s just a fact,” he says.

PEST CONTROL
Rose Pest Solutions | Several locations | (877) 749-7585 | rosepestsolutions.com

POOL MAINTENANCE
Gillette Brothers Pool & Spa | Troy | (248) 362-5125 | gillettebrothers.com

ROOFER
1-800-HANSONS | Ann Arbor | (888) 497-8930 | hansons.com

TECH SPECIALIST
SoundCheck Inc. | Southfield | (248) 440-5996 | soundcheckinc.com

TILE DESIGN/INSTALLATION
Ciot | Troy | (248) 288-8888 | ciot.com

WINDOW CLEANING
Uncle Squeegee’s Window Cleaning | Sterling Heights | (586) 598-9210 | unclesqueegees.com

People · Firm · Company

ACCESSIBILITY DESIGNER/BUILDER
Petrucci Johnson Homes | Bloomfield Hills | (248) 988-8600 | petruccihomes.com

APPRAISER
The BrickKicker | (248) 659-8043 | brickkicker.com/metrodetroit/

CARPENTER
Nielsen Quality Homes | Fenton | (517) 548-1011 | thenielsengroupinc.com

COMMERCIAL ARCHITECT
DesRosiers Architects | Bloomfield Hills | (248) 642-7771 | desarch.com

A FULL-COURT PRESS
Matt Mosher, of Mosher & Associates, winner of Best Athletic Court Design/Build and Best Landscape Designer/Architect, has become one of the area’s most in-demand and highly regarded designers and craftsmen of fine outdoor spaces. He started the business in 2000 with three employees — high school friends — who helped him landscape neighborhood yards and install ponds and fountains.

Since then they’ve experienced building all types of athletic courts, from basic sport courts for families to enjoy to custom clay tennis courts qualified for professional use. “Our most sophisticated tennis court uses an imported clay product and has an elaborate irrigation system underneath the court, to keep the clay at a precise moisture level required for professional tennis matches.”

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “When I was 17 years old I started my business, and distributed fliers throughout the community. The owners of a large estate asked if I could build a waterfall that spanned almost 50 feet, so I spent several hours at the library researching how to build water features, cement footings, and install large pumps. I ended up building a spectacular waterfall that pumps more than 50,000 gallons a minute and has won awards for its beauty. This was the start of me doing large projects. Within three years of completing that project, I was designing and building unique landscapes in excess of $500,000.”

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
Petrucci Johnson Homes | Bloomfield Hills | (248) 988-8600 | petruccihomes.com

CUSTOM FURNITURE DESIGNER
Vogue Furniture | Royal Oak | (248) 288-1500 | voguefurniture.net

CUSTOM HOME BUILDER
LUXE Homes Design + Build | Birmingham | (248) 686-1889 | luxehomesdesignbuild.com

ELECTRICIAN
J. Simon and Sons Electric | Berkley | (248) 399-4640 | jsimonelectric.com

ENERGY COMPANY
DTE | (800) 477-4747 | (800) 482-8720 | dteenergy.com

HANDYMAN
The Rapid Handyman | Sterling Heights | (855) 426-3951

HOME INSPECTOR
en-Vision Property Inspections | Shelby Township | (586) 453-8755 | en-visionpropertyinspections.com

HOME INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE
Phil Klein Insurance Group | West Bloomfield | (248) 682-7445 | philkleininsurance.com

KITCHEN DESIGN FIRM/COMPANY
Whiski Kitchen Design Studio | Royal Oak | (248) 629-0058 | whiski-kitchen.com

LEED SPECIALIST
Newman Consulting Group, LLC | Farmington Hills | (248) 626-4910 | newmanconsultinggroup.us

SOLD ON JEFF
Jeff Glover started selling real estate at the age of 18, right after finishing high school in Novi. “My first job was for Century 21. I sold 30 homes my first year and managed an office for them by the time I was 20,” he says. Soon after, he joined Coldwell Banker Schweitzer as an office manager, and eventually became the director of training for all their local offices.

In 2009, right smack in the middle of the recession, Glover started his own company, Jeff Glover & Associates, winner of Best Realtor/Real Estate Agent, Multiple Locations, which is affiliated with the Keller Williams real estate offices located in St. Clair Shores, Plymouth, and Birmingham. A Grosse Pointe location is scheduled to open soon. In 2017, his company sold just over 1,000 homes, “which made us the No. 1 real estate team in Michigan,” he says. “A couple of years ago we created Glover U, which provides sales training and coaching for all Realtors no matter what company they work for.” The Detroit native is also proud of his Glover’s Heroes foundation, which was created to give back to local policemen, firemen, nurses, and emergency medical technicians. “The money to do this comes from taking out a portion of our commissions,” he says.

HIGH POINTS: He personally sells more than 200 homes a year, and his team sells more than 1,000 homes annually. “Another high point is going on the road to share our secrets of success with other Realtors around the country,” Glover says.

LOCKSMITH
Town Locksmith | Plymouth | (734) 455-5440 | townlocksmith.com

MILLWORK SPECIALIST
Burke Architectural Millwork | Livonia | (734) 744-9492 | burkemillwork.com

PAINTER, EXTERIOR
BCS Coatings | (586) 256-0275 | bcscoatingsllc.com

PAINTER, SPECIALTY TREATMENT
Trudell Custom Creations | Waterford | (248) 701-9064 | trudellcustomcreations.com

PLUMBER
Family Plumbing | South Lyon | (248) 486-1873

SEW GOOD!
“Ihave a passion for sewing and making things,” Eva Helminen, owner of DesignsDesigns and winner of Best Seamstress Drapery/Accent Pillows, Etc., says from her 6,000-square-foot warehouse in Wixom (there’s also a 3,000-square-foot warehouse in Brighton). “My grandmother was a seamstress who sold ball gowns; I started sewing on her treadle machine at the age of 4!”

After working for former owner Patsy Price, Helminen and her husband, Karl, purchased DesignsDesigns. “Karl, who’s been an automotive seat designer, is an amazing talent,” Helminen beams.

The couple, who work with five of their eight children, create bedding, pillows, reupholstered cushions, banquettes, and motorized shutters, drapes, and Roman shades. DesignsDesigns recently celebrated the soft opening of an additional business, Keva (custom sofas and furniture).

“My favorite part is going with a designer to do a new-build, and helping to make their vision come to fruition. (I believe in) the development of personal relationships with homeowners, and a total commitment to service. It’s a lot of fun!

“We do small jobs, too,” Helminen adds. “We might be called to spruce up a home and its furnishings for a wedding or a holiday. We can do so many great things to make people more comfortable where they live.”

HIGH POINTS: “Having our hard work, in a business that is mainly referrals, be recognized by receiving this ‘Best of Detroit Home’ award!”

POOL DESIGNER/COMPANY
Gillette Brothers Pool & Spa | Troy | (248) 362-5125 | gillettebrothers.com

REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY
Alycia Penn Covington | Abood Law Firm | Birmingham | (248) 549-0000 | aboodlaw.com

RESTORATION SPECIALIST
Renaissance Restorations Inc. | Birmingham | (313) 585-7852 | rrestoration.com

SEAMSTRESS DRAPERY/ACCENT PILLOWS, ETC.
DesignsDesigns, Ltd. | Wixom | (248) 669-9696

THEY’RE IN TUNE
Neal Check, owner of SoundCheck Inc., winner of Best Audio/Stereo, Best Smarthome Designer/Company, Best Home Theater/ Audio/Video Specialist, and Best Tech Specialist, says he loves being with customers when he’s finished installing their home theater or home automation system. “I say, ‘Watch what happens when I press this one button!’ And then, lights come on, their favorite music starts playing, the perfect temperature happens, fireplaces light, security systems engage, and sometimes fountains even start flowing,” Check says. Check, who started SoundCheck in 2008, after years of being in the alarm business, says, “We also have clients who want to practice or play sports right in their home. We carry the only sports simulator in the world with golf, baseball, hockey, soccer, basketball, and football. We love what we do, making systems simple for the homeowner, helping them to feel confident.”

HIGH POINT: “It’s been an honor that SoundCheck, for the last five or six years in a row, has been named in CE Pro magazine’s (for professionals in the custom electronics business) Top 100 for home theater and home automation.”

WINE ROOM DESIGNER/BUILDER
Maison Birmingham | Birmingham | (248) 203-6006 | maisonbirmingham.com

PLACES TO BUY | SERVICES | PEOPLE · FIRM · COMPANY

PLACES TO BUY

SERVICES

People · Firm · Company

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