2018 DHDA: Details

2018 Design Awards

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

Millwork

Photo By MIKE KLINE

1st – Heller & Associates

For a historically accurate Tudor Revival home built in the 1920s, the challenge was to integrate the addition of a family room into the existing space without sacrificing period detail. Recessed paneling was installed from floor to ceiling in a dark stained oak, showcasing the grain of the wood. Custom trusses, copied from the home’s original great room beams and painstakingly reproduced, span the space overhead. A loft, installed above the bar niche, features an oak ladder with an elegant reclaimed bronze handrail for vertical interest.

Designer’s Process

“Two refrigerators accommodate this family of five and are concealed by custom woodwork (shown above, right) that feature painted frames and walnut inset panels by Bakes & Kropp (the hardware on the panels is also designed by Bakes & Kropp).”

— Sharer Design Group

Stair and Railing

Photo by BETH SINGER

1st – CBI Design Professionals Inc.

The dramatic tone is reached with the signature piece: a custom-milled stone spiral staircase. After months of conceptualizing and creating sketches to determine how to make this one-of-a-kind staircase, it was decided that it should be fully self-supporting, with no center pole or additional supports. Milled stone treads and risers were CNC-cut to specific dimensions and dry-laid onto one another, providing the strength needed to support the weight. The stair tower features stone walls, as well as iron handrails and spindles that were hand-pounded on-site.

Decorative Glass & Mirror

Photo by MIKE KLINE

1st – Heller & Associates

A boxed-out nook was created for this Tudor-style family room. Two windows are original metal true divided units, while the third was fabricated to match the historical pieces. The diamond leaded glass windows were restored from original 1920s International Casement Co. windows. Some of the stained glass shields are original, while two coats of arms were meticulously recreated. Custom floor-to-ceiling oak paneling and oak beams frame the windows and add authenticity to the faithfully recreated vignette, while carved beams integrate the niche with the family room.

Interior Use of Stone

Photo by Beth singer

1st – VanBrouck & Associates, with Ellwood Interiors

The rugged Cortona stone exterior of this residence extends through the arched entryways of the lower-level, retractable-screened loggia and into the subterranean interior spaces, to cohesively connect them. A thick, craggy stone wall separates the wine cellar from the banqueting/tasting area. Along the back of the cellar, behind the decanting area, is a narrow aisle, reminiscent of the passageways of ancient wine caves. Throughout the wine cellar, the stone is artfully blended with the rustic, tumbled-brick ceiling; textured, dyed-concrete floor; vintage decanting sideboard; and mellowed-wood wine racks.

Interior Use of Tile

Photo by JUSTIN MACONOCHIE

1st – Motawi Tileworks

The owners of this home wanted to restore it to its Arts & Crafts roots, so they planned a fireplace that used color that fit the style — but they faced challenges created by the raised hearth and inset spaces. Decorative relief tiles in greens, browns, and blues add excitement to this project. Each tile is handmade, and many received special edge treatments. The tiles on the face of the fireplace are in a subway design, while those on the raised portion of the hearth are more linear.

Designer’s Process

“The mosaic tile (shown above, left) was the initial driving force behind the other material selections throughout the space. The integration of glass with honed marble is what gives this mosaic tile combination its special appeal. It’s the perfect choice as a backdrop to the custom-finished hood.”

— Tutto Interiors

Interior/Exterior Lighting

Photo by BETH SINGER

1st – VanBrouck & Associates, with Oliver Max Interiors

The architectural, interior, and landscape design of this residence are seamlessly integrated with a comprehensive, thoughtful Smart Home lighting system. A light-and-airy ambience is found throughout the home, created by the natural light streaming into the spaces as well as an assemblage of “collected” chandeliers and wall sconces, integrated with recessed lighting and cove lighting. Outdoors, landscape lights define the planting beds and courtyard walls, and augment the outdoor pool lighting; the lighting along the soffits around the house highlights the architecture and stonework.

Fireplace

Photo by MIKE KLINE

1st – Heller & Associates, with Carrie Long Interiors

A master bedroom renovation delivered modern sensibility to this historic home. A horizontal firebox was installed directly opposite the bed, providing a lovely view of the fire. The floating hearth, crafted from a mitered slab of marble, reflects the glow of the fire and provides a distinctive look. The television is recessed into the wall above the firebox, at an optimal height for watching shows from the comfort of the bed. A smooth plaster wall surround creates a clear finish for this calming vignette.

Custom Cabinet Installation

Photo by beth singer

1st – Vogue Furniture

Upon entering this library through leaded glass doors, you’re surrounded by a sense of warmth, elegance, character, and quality. The homeowner searched the country to find the perfect crotch walnut log for this authentic French polished library, and the 36-inch-diameter log was re-sawn to create bookedmatched lumber center panels. The entire room was handcrafted and meticulously assembled on the shop floor, to ensure the proper fit and finish. The materials, finish, and construction techniques are reminiscent of those used over a century ago.

Custom Furniture

Photo by JAMES HAEFNER

1st – Vogue Furniture

This client desired a dining table that would read like a sculpture, yet provide the maximum amount of seating in this generous dining room. Ribbons of inlaid polished stainless steel streak across the high-gloss Macassar ebony dining tables. The two tables join together to become one by inserting a floating center leaf that completes the sweeping metal inlays. The dramatic pattern on the tabletop transfers to the corresponding bases below, and the metallic arcs come to life as they dance underneath the light of the chandeliers.

Designer’s Process

“The white concrete tabletop (shown above, left) was custom-molded to the perfect diameter, thickness, and shade of white. The steel base with a custom “X” design was fabricated in central Michigan. The brass powder-coat application finishes the base with a warm glow.”

— Dayna Flory Interiors