Modern English

Never judge a book by its cover, the old adage advises. That goes for houses, as well, says Bloomfield Hills interior designer Linda Powers, who recently worked with Royal Oak-based architect Tamas Von Staden on a house that proves the point.

From the street, the handsome 1920s stucco-and-brick English cottage-style residence in Bloomfield Hills looks like many homes found throughout metro Detroit’s older suburbs. Step inside, however, and a surprise awaits — a curving staircase, contemporary millwork, and bold modern art. “It’s very eye-catching, and a taste of what you’ll find in the rest of the house,” says the designer, who runs Linda Powers Interiors.

That combination of old and new is exactly what the homeowners and Powers had in mind, and it’s a theme found throughout the approximately 6,000-square-foot house, which was purchased in 2016.

The original part of the house was built in 1924 and the ensuing years saw many updates, including an approximately 2,500-square-foot 2007 addition that doubled the home’s original size and added a two-story family room to the back of the house. While they were pleased with some of the changes, the current owners believed the second-floor layout was awkward and didn’t live up to the space’s potential. “There were few closets and an odd master bedroom configuration,” they explain. “We gutted the second level to create a large master bedroom suite.” The couple says they brought Powers in from the beginning because “she has an amazing eye for design and detail.”

Powers, who also worked with the homeowners on a previous residence, says: “Finally, they said if they were going to keep redoing (their former home) to get what they wanted, they might as well move.” The new master suite includes an expanded master bedroom, a relaxed sitting area, and a spacious custom en-suite bath. Another part of the second floor includes three guest bedrooms designed to accommodate the homeowners’ adult children when they visit. It’s divided from the master by a central staircase that leads upstairs from the family room, offering both areas privacy.

Besides renovating the second floor, the homeowners made cosmetic changes to the main level that maintained its original floor plan but improved upon it. A screened-in sun porch was converted to an office by adding all-season windows and a marble floor. It’s now joined to the home office by a newly installed door. A large mudroom borrowed some space from the outside, and offers useful storage options near the kitchen.

Saturated jewel tones and a deft mix of classic and contemporary define both the renovated and original interiors. “The whole house is unexpected,” Powers says. Examples include dramatic artwork by Alex Katz and Cassina accent chairs placed near an ornate original fireplace and grand piano in the living room, a futuristic sideboard by Piero Lissoni for Glas Italia, and a traditional dining table in the dining room. In the two-story family room, two French mirrors circa 1860, which come from a previous residence, were hung to reflect a large contemporary chandelier by Moooi Herculaneum. Most of the furniture is custom or Italian, the designer points out.

The project took about nine months to complete. While the whole house draws compliments, Powers says one of the most spectacular improvements can be found outside. A new swimming pool, deck, and mirrored pool house have been the envy of the neighborhood, Powers says, adding that the homeowners entertain outdoors in season. “The pool house looks like a piece of sculpture,” she says. “People really flip out when they see it.”

Future plans include redoing the kitchen — the wife is an avid cook, baker, and certified chocolatier — but until then, the couple is happily enjoying their upgraded living spaces. Their only regret, the wife says, is that they couldn’t figure out a way to add an additional bathroom to the first floor, which has just one powder room. “Unfortunately there just wasn’t space,” she says.

The designer admits to being partial to the new master suite, but says she likes everything about the house and believes the renovation “makes the house the best of both worlds.” The happy homeowners say the original charm and character that first attracted them have been enhanced by the changes. “There’s a lot of natural light and beautiful views of the landscaping, and the new flow is also excellent,” they say, “but maybe the best thing is that now we really live in every room.”

BUYER’S GUIDE

INTERIOR DESIGNER
Linda Powers, Linda Powers Interiors, Bloomfield Hills, lindapowersinteriors.com

BATHROOM, MASTER
Backsplash – Mirrored Tile, Lucian Metallic, Ann Sacks, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Bathtub – Marble, Paris Ceramics
Chair, Vanity – Alain Clear Side Chair with Tibetan Fur, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Countertop – Custom, Thanos Marble, PMP Marble & Granite, Troy
Decorative Wall – Vinyl Metalworks Collection in Lacquered Silver, Phillip Jeffries, Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Hardware – Designer Doorware
Lighting, Suspension – Universe Grande, Jan Pauwels, ddc
Masks – Toro Masks in Murano Glass, Aristide Najean, Leclaireur Los Angeles
Vanities – Custom, Walnut Burl Veneer, Joe DeLude, Cabinet One Inc., Clarkston
Wall Treatment – Chinois Palais, Schumacher, Michigan Design Center, Troy

BATHROOM, POWDER ROOM
Sliding Door –Thomas Sebold & Associates Inc., Bloomfield Hills
Vanity – Glass-top Floating Vanity
Vases – Porcelain, Handmade, Hudson, NY
Wall Treatment – Poppies Noir, Wayne Pate, Studio Four NYC

BEDROOM, MASTER
Artwork – Lithographs, David Hockney
Ceiling Treatment – Custom, Venetian Plaster with High Gloss, Thomas Sebold & Associates Inc., Bloomfield Hills
Flooring – Carpet, Marc Phillips Rugs
Lighting, Bedside Lamps – Hinson
Lighting, Ceiling Pendants – John Pomp Studios
Lighting, Decorative – Ortenzia, Bruno Rainaldi, Terzani
Nightstands – Manning Nightstands, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Wall Treatment – Custom, Zuber

BEDROOM, MASTER, SITTING ROOM
Artwork – Daniel Borden
Floor Lamp – Multi-Globe, France & Son
Mirrors – Custom, Chris Lehrecke
Ottoman – Blue Corduroy, Romo, Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Shelving, Floating – Joe DeLude, Cabinet One Inc., Clarkston
Vases – Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramiche, Leclaireur Los Angeles
Wall Unit – Custom, White Oak Rift

BREAKFAST ROOM
Chairs, Dining – Saarinen in White Leather, Knoll
Table, Dining – Tense, ddc

DINING ROOM
Cabinet, Display – Commodore Glass Sideboard, Piero Lissoni, Glas Italia
Chairs, Green – “IS-A” Chairs, Isabella Genovese, ddc; Custom Upholstery
Vase – Gilbert Valentin

DRESSING ROOM
Lighting, Pendant – New Monarch, Vermont Modern
Wall Treatment and Cushion – Custom, Butterfly Parade, Designers Guild

FAMILY ROOM
Benches – Hadley, Oly Studio
Chandelier – Moooi Heracleum
Coffee Table – George in White Shell Top, Oly Studio
Lounge Chair with Ottoman – Blake, Minotti
Ottoman – Hive, B&B Italia
Pillows, Accent – Quill, Osborne & Little, Rozmallin, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Rug – Tufty, Laureline Galliot, Nodus Rugs
Sofa – Standard Sofa by Francesco Binfaré, ddc; Custom Upholstered in India, Velour, India Mahdavi

HALLWAY
Artwork – Lithographs, Julian Opie
Bench – Tuxedo Bench, Herman Miller
Chandelier – Flush-Mount Chandelier, 1stDibs

LIVING ROOM
Artwork – White Roses by Alan Katz
Barstools – Ochre
Chair, Green Accent – Caleb, Angora
Chair, White Accent – Tre Pezzi, Cassina
Lighting, Ceiling – Starburst, Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Lighting, Floor Lamps – Thornton, Circa Lighting, Antiqued Brass Finish
Pedestal – Lucite, Custom
Rug – Pont Rug, Alexander McQueen, The Rug Co.
Sconces – Triendri in Venini Green Stripe
Sculpture –Granzioli X Vessel in Silver by Fabio Micucci, Ralph Pucci
Table, Coffee – Paul M. Jones Collection, John Boone
Table, End – Duck Bill in Stained-Black Oak, Julian Chichester

MUDROOM
Chest – Ponti, Bungalow 5
Flooring – Custom, Mosaic Mercantile
Hardware – Matte Black, Kartners
Mirror – Mirror Image Home

OFFICE
Cart – Kartell in Opaline Cobalt Blue
Chair, White – Pollock Executive Chair in White Leather, Knoll
Desk – 1950s Antique French Desk
Desk Top – Leather, Ebury Trading Ltd., London, UK
Flooring – Marble Tile, Paris Ceramics
Lounge Chair and Ottoman – White Leather, Jehs+Laub, Knoll

POOLHOUSE
Chaise Lounges and Dining Chairs – Richard Schultz
Table, Dining – Viking Table, Sutherland Furniture
Umbrellas – Tuuci

STAIRCASE/BENEATH
Statue – Giacomo Piussi

STAIRCASE/TOP
Artwork – L’Onde Bleue, Anne-Lise Coste, Susanne Hilberry Gallery
Chandelier – Bug Eye Bauble, Kenneth Nilson, Profiles NY
Railing – Custom, Lankton Metal Design
Runner – Wallbridge Collection, Stark Carpet, Troy

ADDITIONAL PROJECT CONTRIBUTORS
Architect –Tamas Von Staden, Von Staden Architects, Royal Oak
Builder – Thomas Sebold & Associates Inc., Bloomfield Hills
Design Assistant – Christina Clark
Pool – American Pool Services, Southfield