What led to the creation of a Shingle-style home with distinctive architectural details like custom millwork began when Debbie and Rick Haller hired architect Corey Campbell, of C-arc Design Group in Bloomfield Township. “Debbie wanted (to live in) the house on the street that everybody slowed down to look at — and ultimately, we think we achieved that, because it’s so charming,” Campbell says.
After living in Ann Arbor, the couple, who have two grown sons, a daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter, decided to leave the area and build a home in Plymouth — another location with a great downtown. They wanted a first-floor lifestyle that would continue to work for them as they age, as well as a second level for guests.
According to Cynthia Evans, designer and owner of Cynthia Evans Interiors in Birmingham, who was brought on to help with the 3,800-square-foot residence, the couple’s aesthetic had evolved. “They had very traditional furniture in their previous home,” she says. “They wanted to build a house that was more transitional, but still comfortable and inviting for family and friends.”
The Hallers also wanted to be closer to family, and they agreed they were ready for a change as Rick retired. Even though he had worked as an executive with a multinational construction company, this was their first time building their own home. “We thought about exactly how we would live here, and built that (vision),” Debbie says. “Our previous home in Ann Arbor was large, but we didn’t even use half of it. The first year we moved here, we had Christmas with 24 people, and it was the first time everyone could sit together and face each other.”
White and gray create a neutral palette, and occasional turquoise and coral accents add bright splashes of color. Ebony floors provide contrast in the kitchen, where the island has separate levels for food prep and seating. A hood with gold brass trim is a unique detail, while gray subway tile complements the darker gray stain on the island. White cabinets line the perimeter, where leathered granite counters and a gray farmhouse sink lend a casual feel.
A deluxe combination space near a back staircase is the perfect spot for Debbie, who’s very much into art, to work on her projects. The area combines a laundry room and craft room with Debbie’s home office. “It’s a multipurpose room with tall ceilings and lots of light,” the designer says.
The primary bedroom, which features a barrel ceiling, includes an upholstered bed and ottomans beneath a light fixture that incorporates a fan. Wall-to-wall carpet adds comfort underfoot. Evans calls the room “a cozy retreat.”
In the primary bath, a freestanding tub in a rounded bay becomes a focal point, and is flanked by his-and-hers vanities. Granite counters team with white cabinets and light gray tile to deliver dimension to the space. Varied tiles, like the penny rounds below the tub, contribute to the mix. “They create this visual when you walk into the bathroom,” Evans explains.
A powder room offers a dramatic departure from the rest of the home’s décor, with Asian-inspired lily pad wallpaper paired with a shapely mirror and a granite counter. Brushed gold fixtures provide a finishing touch. The spacious great room, meanwhile, includes two chairs the owners already had that were reupholstered. Evans says the couple liked the geometric pattern in the fabric. Sofas get a colorful kick from turquoise pillows, while geometric shapes reappear in the light fixtures. Artwork the couple has collected, along with antiques and travel mementoes, surround the limestone fireplace.
Burnout velvet chairs enliven the dining room. “That was one space where the clients decided to add a little color,” Evans says. “They also wanted a dining table that was functional, and (the one we selected) has some distressing to it.” The light fixture adds a little sparkle. “We wanted to mix the black and gold metals found in other parts of the home with a silver tone in the dining room,” she explains.
The designer worked closely with her clients, and she says they were really involved, which made it a fun process. “They were willing to step a little outside their comfort zone, as they had been so traditional in the past,” Evans says.
As the results show, following your heart can lead to a lovely home. “It’s really important to find things that resonate with you,” Evans says. “If you love a color, you’ll be happy with it long after the trend is over, and it will have more of a timeless and updated feel.”
Rick says he enjoys the outdoor spaces, which include a terrace that leads to a fire pit and a garden area that’s perfect for entertaining. “We can open up the doors and be outside and inside,” he says. Indoors, he favors his main-floor office, which doubles as a guest room with a Murphy bed and an adjacent bathroom. When their granddaughter was younger, he says, it was like her own little apartment.
The couple shares that their new location in Plymouth has an added bonus: “We’re in a wonderful neighborhood where we have block parties,” Rick says. “It’s a different environment for us.”
BUYER’S GUIDE
INTERIOR DESIGN
Cynthia Evans Interiors, Birmingham, cynthiaevansinteriors.com
BATHROOM, POWDER
Countertop – PMP Marble & Granite, Troy
Mirror – Uttermost, Herald Wholesale, Troy
Sink – Herald Wholesale, Troy
Vase – Mackenzie-Childs
Wallpaper – Kravet Couture, Kravet | Lee Jofa | Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy
BATHROOM, PRIMARY
Bathtub – MTI Baths, Herald Wholesale, Troy
Chandelier – Elan, Herald Wholesale, Troy
Flooring – Ceramic Tiles International, Anatolia Tile, Virginia Tile, Troy
Wall Tile – Ceramic Tiles International, Virginia Tile, Troy
BATHROOM, SERVICE
Cabinetry – Braam’s Custom Cabinets
Countertop – PMP Marble & Granite, Troy
Mirror – Uttermost, Herald Wholesale, Troy
Wallpaper – Thibaut, Rozmallin, Michigan Design Center, Troy
DINING ROOM
Chair, Accent – Bernhardt Furniture, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Chairs, Dining – Bernhardt Furniture, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Chandelier – Hubbardton Forge, Lighting Resource Studio, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Lamp – Currey & Company, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Rug – Stark Carpet, Troy
Table, Dining – Bernhardt Furniture, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Silver Chain
KITCHEN
Backsplash – Sonoma Tilemakers, Virginia Tile, Troy
Cabinetry – Braam’s Custom Cabinets
Chairs – Custom, Lorts, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Countertops – PMP Marble & Granite, Troy
Hood Vent – Custom, Vogler Metalwork & Design
Lighting – Hudson Valley, Herald Wholesale, Troy
Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Silver Chain
LAUNDRY/CRAFT ROOM/COMMAND CENTER
Cabinetry – Braam’s Custom Cabinets
Chandelier – Elegant Lighting, Herald Wholesale, Troy
Flooring – Emilceramica, Cercan Tile, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Silver Chain
LIVING ROOM
Chandelier – Hudson Valley, Herald Wholesale, Troy
Flooring – Stark Carpet, Troy
Lamps – Port 68
Pillows, Throw – Century, CAI at MDC, Troy, MI
Sofa – Century Furniture, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Shoreline
SITTING ROOM
Armchairs – Bernhardt Furniture, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Lamp – Currey & Company, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Ottoman – Sherrill Furniture, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Pillows, Throw – Pindler, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Table – Mackenzie-Dow, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Silver Chain
STAIRCASE
Flooring – Stark Carpet, Troy
Sconces – Visual Comfort, Herald Wholesale, Troy
ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTORS
Architect – Corey Campbell, C-arc Design Group, Bloomfield Hills
Contractor – Trademark Construction Services, Royal Oak
Text by Jeanine Matlow | Photography by Hayden Stinebaugh
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