Interior designer Armina Kasprowicz, of Rochester Hills-based Armina Interiors, is crazy about nature — so it’s no surprise that when she was planning her new bathroom in her home’s lower level near her home office/studio, she chose to go with an appealing organic look. The bathroom, which was installed in her then-unfinished basement, features a Phillip Jeffries wallcovering reminiscent of a revitalizing springtime shower.She also built a niche into the wall to add a little light, and to incorporate decorative accents like a tiny vase of flowers or greenery, hand towels, and objets d’art.“The bathroom is very refreshing,” Kasprowicz says. “I like to use different lighting elements, like the one in the wall inset as well as the pendant lighting (Tech Lighting), which, with its pretty light, reflects off the wallpaper and mirror.”The contemporary/transitional wall mount-style sink (by Lacava) has an opening that’s cut in an egg shape. “It’s kind of fun to have the sink entry off-center,” she says. Plus, she adds, the toilet (by Toto) complements the sink’s shape. The bent faucet’s (by Lacava) profile evokes an organic shape, as well.As for that water-inspired wallpaper, the designer says, “I’ve known about that wallpaper (Blur in Turquoise on White Vinyl Glam Grass) for a good while, and it was my choice right away. I like that it feels like art and it’s unique. I like the different shades of blue. And every time you walk into the space, it seems like you see new and different parts of it, depending on the light.“I feel good there.”

Cynthia Evans InteriorsThis home, on Walloon Lake, reflects the colors around it, both inside and out. It won first place in the Exterior Use of Color category. // Photography by Glass Lakes PhotographyGATE/FENCE/WALL DesRosiers Architects // Photograph by Jason Nuttle 1st Place: DesRosiers Architects An elegant, authentic wrought iron gate provides a fitting welcome to this magnificent French Renaissance-style home. The 6-foot-high gates are supported by two substantial limestone piers with intricate LED lanterns. Truly a breathtaking example of what’s to come!Judge's Insights: This minimal gate by Michael J. Dul with Desrosiers Architects offers a perfect low-profile approach to ensure zero obstructions. — Judge Kayla CooperMichael J. Dul & Associates with DesRosier Architects // Photograph by James Haefner 2nd Place: Michael J. Dul & Associates with DesRosiers Architects Patricia Rhodes Consulting with Richard Hass // Photography by Jean Sweet 3rd Place: Patricia Rhodes Consulting with Richard HassEXTERIOR USE OF STONE/TILE/CONCRETE  DeRosiers Architects // Photograph by Jason Nuttle 1st Place: DeRosiers Architects All the arches in this French Renaissance-style home are adorned with double-stepped surrounds, and building corners are accented with stone pilasters and Corinthian caps. The two-tiered stone cornice is sculpted egg and draft filigree, with a decorative, continuous natural slate roof. The front entrance and rear great room facades are embellished with sculpted filigree ornamentation. Deep azure glass mosaic tiles adorn the secluded swimming pool.Michael J. Dul & Associates // Photograph by James Haefner 2nd Place: Michael J. Dul & Associates VanBrouck | Luxe Homes with Oliver Max Inc. // Photography by Beth Singer 3rd Place: VanBrouck | Luxe Homes with Oliver Max Inc.RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOL/SPA Marino's Landscape // Photography by Adrian Kizy 1st Place: Marino's Landscape A backyard infinity pool makes you feel as though you’re overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The mass evergreen boxwood hedges help soften the ledge rock retaining walls, which set the stage for this backyard. The pool is positioned so the spa looks over the infinity edge and into the lake beyond. The west side of the pool has an invisible concrete/steel bunker to house the pool equipment.Martini Samartino Design Group // Photography by Karl Moses 2nd Place: Martini Samartino Design Group DesRosiers Architects // Photography by Jason Nuttle 3rd Place: DesRosiers ArchitectsDECK/PATIO/PORCH Marino's Landscape // Photography by Adrian Kizy 1st Place: Marino's Landscape This patio features a fire pit and a dining space, and maintains privacy from the road. The space is fully equipped with the same comforts you’d find indoors: a custom stone fireplace, smart home lighting, music, an outdoor fire pit, a bar, and a flat-screen TV. The pool house, meanwhile, has everything you could dream of including a sauna/steam room, bathroom, brick pizza oven, and full kitchen.North + Birch Interior Design with Weberman Construction // Photography by Diana Paulson 2nd Place: North + Birch Interior Design with Weberman Construction Michael J. Dul & Associates with DesRosiers Architects // Photography by James Haefner 3rd Place: Michael J. Dul & Associates with DesRosiers ArchitectsOUTDOOR FIREPLACE Gary J. Gavulic - Architecture & Design, LLC // Photography by Gary J. Gavulic 1st Place: Gary J. Gavulic - Architecture & Design, LLC An outdoor fireplace is a key component of an expansive renovation of a 1980s California contemporary-style Ranch home. The dramatic brick-and-limestone feature joins visually and proximately to the kitchen and living areas, making it feel like an integral extension of those spaces. The allusion is reinforced by the long, horizontal form of the fireplace structure, hinting at an enclosing wall and bolstering the sense of a room-like retreat.Judge's Insights: This is the perfect place (by Gary J. Gavulic — Architecture & Design, LLC) to relax and enjoy the beautiful outdoors! — Judge Kayla CooperGlenda Meads Architects with Marianne Jones, LLC // Photography by Beth Singer 2nd Place: Glenda Meads Architects with Marianne Jones, LLC M.J. Whelan Construction // Photography by Jeff Garland 3rd Place: M.J. Whelan ConstructionRESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN OVER ONE ACRE Marino's Landscape // Photography by Adrian Kizy 1st Place: Marino's Landscape Using Old World charm such as teak wood, limestone, and exposed aggregate, the linear design offers views of the pool from every angle of the home. The geometrical European landscape has an unexpected twist — a touch of some Las Vegas resort-style landscaping — making the overall effect simple and complicated at the same time. Cut limestone masonry walls and clean-cut diamond concrete surround the pool.Marino's Landscape // Photography by Adrian Kizy 2nd Place: Marino's Landscape Michael J. Dul & Associates // Photography by James Haefner 3rd Place: Michael J. Dul & AssociatesRESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN UNDER ONE ACRE Patricia Rhodes Consulting with Richard Hass // Photography by Jean Sweet 1st Place: Patricia Rhodes Consulting with Richard Hass This backyard space was almost completely unusable in its original condition. Five separate elevations had to relate to the architecture, and transition in a way that met municipal restrictions. The result is a backyard that’s perfect for outdoor entertainment, play space, a garden, and maintaining views of the wooded area. The beautiful forest-like backdrop, enhanced by extensive vertical lighting of the trees, creates a lovely evening ambiance.Motor City Landscaping // Photography by Matt Olejarczyk 2nd Place: Motor City Landscaping Motor City Landscaping // Photography by Matt Olejarczyk 3rd Place: Motor City LandscapingEXTERIOR USE OF COLOR (PAINT, DOORS, SHUTTERS, ETC.) Cynthia Evans Interiors // Photography by Glass Lakes Photography 1st Place: Cynthia Evans Interiors The color of both Walloon Lake and the sky inspired the choice of color for this home’s exterior. The challenge was selecting a color that’s found in nature but wasn’t an earth tone. Mission accomplished!Designers' Goal: To create a modern yet warm farmhouse exterior we featured black steel columns, a custom-fabricated black steel fascia wrap for the porch roof perimeter (with the underside shiplap panels painted black), and a black inset aluminum-framed glass entry system. — PRM Custom Builders with Kirkshire Design GroupAngelini & Associates Architects with Johnson Brothers Construction Ann Arbor // Photography by Jeff Garland 2nd Place: Angelini & Associates Architects with Johnson Brothers Construction Ann Arbor PRM Custom Builders with Kirkshire Design Group // Photography by Skyview Experts 3rd Place: PRM Custom Builders with Kirkshire Design GroupDetroit Design Awards 2021 Judges Details Exteriors Interiors Homes Commercial Design Rising Star Readers' Choice