2017 Design Awards
Judges | Details | Exteriors | Interiors | Commercial Design
Homes | Rising Star | Reader’s Choice
A Classic Shingle-Style Beauty
VanBrouck | Luxe Homes, with Ellwood Interiors, Wows Voters
WAS IT THE CRISP, WHITE TRIMWORK, THE DORIC COLUMNS, or the inviting shiplap that won over the hearts of Readers’ Choice voters for the best overall home this year? Perhaps it was the Bloomfield home’s laundry room — a space in which you’d never mind doing the laundry! Whatever swayed voters, we’re sure of one thing: VanBrouck | Luxe Homes can be counted on for its always-consistent, quality craftsmanship.
The winning Readers’ Choice entry, shown here, is by Birmingham-based VanBrouck | Luxe Homes, with Ellwood Interiors. It was inspired by the Shingle-style homes of the Hamptons, and its classic appointments are elegantly relaxed yet refined.
Sited atop a grassy knoll in an established neighborhood, the two year old home commands views of beautiful landscaping, including gardens and mature trees.
The architectural detailing that defines the proportioned exterior architecture cohesively integrates with the interior spaces to create an artful composition and an immensely livable home. Natural cedar shakes, stained a semi-transparent taupe, sheathe the exterior walls, which are complemented by a foundation base of rough-cut limestone. In authentic style, the cedar shakes are meticulously mitered at the corner edges and flared outward at the cedar shake/stone junction.
A TASTE FOR TIMELESS
A cedar shake exterior and detailed millwork on the interior — along with a sensational palette — make this VanBrouck | Luxe Homes/Ellwood Interiors project a winner. It also placed first in Overall Home.
Classic Doric columns support the roof and entablature of the front and rear verandas, while abundant groupings of cottage-style double-hung windows — as well as Palladian-style windows — allow natural light to fill the interiors. Crisp, white trimwork defines the window groupings, gable, bracket detailing, columns, and entablature, creating a striking contrast with the cedar shakes.
Traditional, white-glazed panel millwork adorns the interior and complements the white trimwork and cedar shake exterior. Upon entering the home, one is struck by the timeless aura of the entry hall and library, the dining room, and the music room. Cottage-style shiplap millwork — showcased in the library, master suite, mud hall/ laundry room, and children’s bedrooms — evokes an easygoing ambience and nostalgic charm.
Ellwood Interiors’ keen eye for color resulted in a soothing, coastal color palette reminiscent of ocean, lake, and sand hues, which unifies all the spaces. Don’t forget to look up, where you’ll see beamed and coffered ceilings.
Detroit Home readers are, it seems, as astute as our panel of judges for this year’s Detroit Home Design Awards, as the expert judges also selected this home as their choice for Best Overall Home. Said judge Meg Lonergan, a Texas-based interior designer: “It’s got stunning details!”
Well done!
PHOTOS BY BETH SINGER
|
|
|
