2015 DHDA: Details

2015 Design Awards

Judges | Details | Exteriors | Interiors | Commercial Interiors
Homes | Rising Star | Reader’s Choice

Millwork

Photo by Eric Perry

1st – Caden Design Group

To create a timeless piece within a client’s home, this integrated refrigerator/freezer was cleverly fashioned around the client’s love for antique Coca-Cola trays. Emulating an “icebox,” the large, 9-foot piece was strategically designed with functionality and aesthetic in mind. Custom hinges and latches give the piece a nostalgic feel and add character to the overall kitchen. Custom deep-blue panels with light distressing add warmth to this piece.

Stair and Railing

Photo by Jim Haefner

1st – Desrosiers Architects

This magnificent curving stair and railing are part of the expansive foyer in this French traditional home located on five acres in West Bloomfield. The gracious upper and lower stair consists of wrought iron decorative balustrades with dark genuine mahogany railings and treads. The steps rise over the front door to a restful landing, allowing one to look out across the front portion of the estate and the three-story ornate, plaster-domed foyer ceiling.

Decorative Glass & Mirror

Photo by Jeff Garland

1st – Angelini & Associates Architects

This skylight enclosure is above a stair hall and is surrounded on all four sides by mirrors, which creates a kaleidoscope effect of sky and clouds, changing constantly throughout the day. A glass guardrail (not shown) below the mirrored skylight attaches lightly to several wood plank treads. The skylight allows natural light to rake down the textured tile wall — sending forth patterns of light and shade.

Photo by Jim Haefner

2nd – Desrosiers Architects

Designer’s achievement: an entrance bridge of clear glass spans a large koi pond that evokes the feel of a medieval castle (think drawbridge over a moat). It offers excitement to many.

Flooring

Photo by Jim Haefner

1st – Desrosiers Architects

The entire main level of this magnificent French traditional home, located in West Bloomfield, is covered with large slabs of Crema Dorata Marble. The circular, 25-foot-diameter foyer is rimmed with a decorative band of Mystery White mosaic tile inlays, while the central core of the entrance rotunda has a radiating marble slab floor and displays an inlaid medallion of mosaic tiles representing “the flowers of life” — truly exemplifying the family that resides there.

Interior Use of Stone

Photo by Beth Singer

1st – Desrosiers Architects

This contemporary residence, located in Bloomfield Hills, features many areas of stone. As guests enter the two-story foyer, they’re greeted with an expansive Brazilian sea foam green granite floor featuring Verde bamboo marble inlaid areas. The great room walls and fireplace are made from Indiana northern buff limestone, while the master bath is composed of large Vermont white Danby floor-to-ceiling marble slabs. The interior granite, marble, and stone represent the finest caliber materials.

Interior Use of Tile

Photo by Tracy Besek

1st – Sharer Design Group, with Motawi Tileworks

The owners of this home wanted a kitchen that would match the style of their downtown Plymouth 1925 Arts & Crafts-style dwelling. They had just one specific request: They wanted a brick floor in the breakfast nook. The range hood with hammered copper and walnut accents is a custom design, and all the moldings were milled to match the home’s existing sapwood moldings. Handmade tiles from Motawi Tileworks and the nook’s brick floor add great finishing touches.

Interior/Exterior Lighting

Photo by Jim Haefner

1st – Moceri Custom Homes, with Pinetree Lighting & Furniture

Replicating the fixtures popular in many historic New Orleans neighborhoods, this home’s exterior lighting is modernized through the use of energy-efficient LED fixtures. While most of the lanterns on the exterior of the home were retrofitted to modern LEDs, the fixtures at the home’s entry are fueled with gas, maximizing the façade’s classic style and ensuring the vintage fixtures maintain their charm. LED fixtures illuminate the pool and courtyard, accenting the breathtaking views from the back of this home.

Fireplace

Photo by Kevin Meechan

1st – Shoreline Architecture & Design

This contemporary fireplace features a custom fire box. The fire box emphasizes the horizontal features to offset the vertical lines, and to complement the horizontal paneling. The fire brick detailing extends up the wall from the inside of the firebox.

Custom Cabinet Installation

Photo by Beth Singer

1st – CBI Design Professional, with Vogue Furniture

These kitchen cabinets reflect the horizontal lines of the home’s window and door muttons — and the owner’s desire to make the cabinetry more like furniture.

Custom Furniture

Photo by Alex Rosenhaus and Drew Arrison

1st – Alex Drew & No One

Inspired by the idea of “Old is New,” traditional European gilding techniques were incorporated into a modern geometric table design. The beautiful figure of the solid walnut top showcases a hand-polished, natural semi-open pore finish, and the solid steel legs are gilded with genuine 23K gold.