Completed this past spring in Birmingham, this newly built Modern Prairie style house was snapped up two years ago by a first-time homebuyer who was relocating back to Michigan after spending 15 years in Chicago.
The builder, Todd Emerson, founder and president of Sterling Custom Homes & Renovations in Bloomfield Hills and Bonita Springs, Fla., recommended Armina Kasprowicz, owner and principal designer of Armina Interiors, to help the buyer determine the style she wanted and then realize the design vision for this exciting new stage of her life.
The Rochester Hills designer recalls, “The client was looking for guidance. She was decisive but not clear about what she wanted or liked. She needed her home to work for her whether entertaining, working at home, or watching TV at night. We settled on a beautiful home design that’s warm, open, contemporary, modern, and works for her.”
Although the house’s footprint was already determined, Emerson and his team were able to accommodate several adjustments requested by the buyer and designer before construction began.
The nearly 4,800-square-foot natural stone and stucco residence has two floors and, for added living space, a finished lower level. In total, the home boasts five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and two half-baths.
While the interior color scheme emphasizes soft tonal neutrals with an abundance of textures and white oak, Kasprowicz made a point of including the owner’s favorite color, blue, into the design in both bold and subtle ways. “I used softer and deeper blues for accents and to create interest,” she says.
The striking dining room features dark wood furniture with artistic blue ombre wallpaper and rich blue velvet chairs, while the mudroom and informal powder room have vivid blue-and-white, diamond-patterned tile floors. The formal powder room and coat closet provide darker drama, with blue-and-metallic-silver custom wallpaper.
Throughout the house, Kasprowicz utilized remote-controlled shades and soft white sheer drapery to allow varying degrees of privacy, as needed. “The sheers are a contemporary design and perfect for big windows, as they bring in light but offer some layered privacy compared to the shades, which offer 100 percent privacy,” she says.
Emerson notes that other smart home technology elements include extensive lighting, audio/visual, and security systems.
Among the many eye-catching sculptural light fixtures found throughout the residence is a statement multi-pendant chandelier that gracefully hangs down the center of the impressive glass and wood staircase, which runs from the second floor to the lower level. A slotted wall and wood sconces add further visual interest to the area.
To heighten the warmth in the house, there are two double-sided linear fireplaces. The first is in the tranquil primary bedroom suite, between the bedroom and bathroom. That proved to be a logistical and privacy challenge for both the designer and builder, as the fireplace’s bathroom side is uniquely located in the shower.
The primary bathroom continues the calming neutral color palette from the adjoining bedroom. In addition to heated floors, it features a modern textured EcoWood vanity and a niche storage system from Scavolini in Italy.
Niki Serras, partner and co-owner of Scavolini Detroit at the Michigan Design Center in Troy, reflects, “Armina had a calm, spa-like yet sophisticated boutique hotel aesthetic in mind, while maintaining function for the client. These cabinets are durable and safe in a wet or humid room; they look like wood and will last for years to come.”
The second double-sided fireplace is situated between the great room and lanai, offering warmth and ambience in two multipurpose seating areas. While open-weave rattan lounge chairs face the cozy lanai side of the fireplace, a sofa with functional indoor-outdoor fabric and textural chairs offer a welcoming space on the other side.
Emerson notes that once Kasprowicz joined the project, the lanai became an important addition to the original plans, as it offered a distinctive indoor-outdoor living space. “The two exterior walls have Marvin glass bifold door panels that retract to open the space to the outdoors,” he notes. The home’s exterior also includes an elevated patio with outdoor seating and dining areas, a fire pit, and a kitchen.
While there’s much in this house to appreciate, Emerson admits his favorite room is the indoor kitchen. “The two-tone kitchen and butler’s pantry, with off-white and white oak cabinets, is very functional yet high-style,” he says.
Kasprowicz adds: “The kitchen is contemporary but warm. The client doesn’t like clutter, so there’s not much out on the countertops. It’s simple, clean, and highly functional.”
Of the modifications to the home’s original design and the finished results, Emerson says, “There were a lot of details and layers to this project, but Armina always brings designs up to the next level.”
“I love this house. Everywhere you look, and with every connecting view, there’s something interesting or uniquely different to see. The design is simple, open, and clean. The vibe is warm and timeless,” Kasprowicz says, adding, “There’s always a lot of coordinating, but everything works together to create the home to make the client happy. That’s the happiest moment for us.”
Behind the Design
Interior Designer
Armina Kasprowicz, Rochester Hills, arminainteriors.com
Additional Contributors
Builder: Todd Emerson, Sterling Custom Homes & Renovations, Bloomfield Hills
Cabinetry: Niki Serras, Scavolini Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Plaster: Melanie Rzepecki, Venetian Plaster Co., metro Detroit
Custom Gradient Wall Covering, Élitis, elitis.fr
“A breathtaking ombre wallpaper, more than just a wallcovering, serves as a grand artistic statement, transforming the room into an immersive gallery experience,” designer Armina Kasprowicz says.
Villa Nova Lucie Chalk Sheers, Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy, villanova.co.uk, tennant.associates
“Seamlessly blending functionality with unparalleled luxury and beauty, these exquisite washable sheers were meticulously crafted from durable, easy-to-clean fabrics. This means you no longer have to sacrifice an ounce of style for practicality.”
Moroccan Rug, Benisouk, benisouk.com
For the family room’s custom handwoven rug, Kasprowicz, “was able to design the shape and select the colors, resulting in a piece that is both personal and timeless. The incredible thickness and chunky pile make it exceptionally soft underfoot, inviting warmth and comfort.”
North Hampton Beige AC-38, Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore.com
“The large fireplace wall was designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding walls, rather than serving as a focal point. Its purpose was to complement the wallpaper and drapery colors, creating an ideal backdrop for a vibrant art piece. The plaster finish was an excellent choice, offering versatility in terms of texture, color (Benjamin Moore’s North Hampton Beige AC-38), and application.”
Kirkby Design Foam Flax Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy, tennant.associates; Bernhardt Pablo Chair, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy, bernhardt.com, caidesigns.net
In the great room, Kasprowicz covered Bernhardt’s playful, swivel Pablo Chairs in Kirkby Design’s Foam Flax fabric, for “an irresistible comfort destination” that’s also “great for relaxation and conversation.”
Paccha Zigzag, Ann Sacks, Michigan Design Center, Troy, annsacks.com
“Handmade by skilled artisians using traditional methods, these playful and vibrant cement tiles (in the mudroom and mudroom half-bath) make for a unique, fun, and unexpectedly happy entry,” Kasprowicz says.
Concentric Sconces in White Oak, Allied Maker, alliedmaker.com
“With its sculptural dome and meticulously carved grooves, these pieces present a captivating study in harmonious repetition and graceful curvature. The topographic texture inherent in the wood is dramatically accentuated under illumination, revealing a rich interplay of light and shadow that enhances its organic beauty.”
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