“Less fussy with a cleaner look,” is what Joann and Antonio DiMenna had in mind when they built their current home in Bloomfield Township. After living in a more traditional home, the couple was ready to embrace a simpler, more streamlined aesthetic when they built on a lot with views of the Oakland Hills Country Club, says designer Cheryl Nestro, of Northville’s Tutto Interiors, who worked with the couple on the project.
“We were definitely looking for a change,” Joann confirms. “When the opportunity presented itself to purchase a property viewing the South Course — also known as ‘The Monster’ — came up, we couldn’t resist.” The pair had been living nearby and started working with Nestro and architect Allan Djordjevic in 2014, after tearing down the lot’s existing Mid-century Modern ranch.
“Timeless with clean lines and some transitional aspects” and “a sense of warmth” were among their priorities, Joann explains, adding: “Our goal for the exterior architecture was to have the look of a French Chateau-style home. The attraction for us was our love of limestone, in combination with the slate tile roof and manicured landscaping. By selecting a smooth limestone and keeping with the clean lines, we tried to achieve an elevation that was elegant with a modern twist.”
“IT HAS A VERY WARM AND INVITING FEELING, WHICH IS SOMETIMES HARD TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THESE CEILING HEIGHTS.”
— CHERYL NESTRO
Another wish-list item was an open-concept floor plan with plenty of space for two of the couple’s favorite activities — entertaining and cooking — that made the most of the home’s available views.
The 5,200-square-foot main level includes an expansive family room, chef’s kitchen, and dining area that, along with the master suite and study/den, have enviable vistas of the course and clubhouse. There are also two guest suites in the front of the home. An additional bonus room/in-law suite, second guest suite, and finished lower-level walkout with another guest suite, full bar, and hidden prep kitchen are accessible via either an elevator or staircase.
The kitchen includes two large islands and a substantial table designed for frequent cooking and entertaining. The couple’s son lives nearby, and the DiMennas like to gather family and friends for homemade pasta nights or Sunday dinner. A full prep kitchen behind the refrigerator keeps the main kitchen clean and uncluttered, while a nifty Nana wall in the dining area opens into a three-season outdoor space.
The family room is a favorite spot for both entertaining and relaxing. Antonio’s request for a 90-inch television over the fireplace presented an unexpected challenge, Nestro says. “I fought him on that for about four months,” the designer admits. “I told him 90-inch TVs go in a theater room, not a main-level room. We had many laughs over that, but he won.” Nestro says she then abandoned her original fireplace design for one that features a beautiful woven walnut surround. “The fireplace has such a presence in the room that you hardly notice the TV,” she says. Ceilings that reach up to 24 feet in the main rooms don’t hurt, either. “They’re very atypical of a ranch,” Nestro explains, adding that “it has a very warm and inviting feeling, which is sometimes hard to accomplish with these ceiling heights.”
The homeowners and designer kept the couple’s extended family in mind when choosing furnishings and textiles, opting for child and pet-friendly performance fabrics and furnishings. “I wanted the house to look nice, but we plan to use everything,” Joann explains.
And they have. “We’ve been in the house four years and the fabric looks untouched,” she says. “Cheryl definitely led us in the right direction.” The focus on both style and substance will become more important as the DiMennas’ extended family grows. “We have one grandson now, but I’m hoping to have half a dozen grandchildren,” Joann says.
While they undoubtedly enjoy the home’s public spaces, both Antonio and Joann claim the master suite is their favorite room. “We love everything about it, starting with the custom oversized tufted headboard, the comfy seating area with the spectacular view, the fireplace — even the whimsical light fixture,” Joann raves. “The design and overall feel are complete tranquility.”
Nestro’s a fan, too. “I absolutely love the master bedroom,” she agrees. “A mix of traditional and modern gives it a very special vibe.”
Construction took a little more than two years, but the house and the lot were worth the wait, Joann says. “We hoped our home would be warm and inviting, but also have a look of modern elegance. We wanted our furniture to be sophisticated enough for entertaining and yet grandchild-friendly.”
The couple doesn’t miss their old look. The home has been everything they expected, and more, Joann says. “We came from a lot of dark wood in the last house. I just love all the white and the softer colors. It feels so much more open, bright, and airy. I love the change.”
BUYER’S GUIDE
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Cheryl Nestro,Tutto Interiors, Northville, tuttointeriors.com
BAR/LOWER LEVEL
Bar – European Cabinets, Roseville
Ceiling Treatment – Drop Ceiling
Countertop – Ciot, Troy
Shelving, Display – Tree Fog Cabinets, European Cabinets, Roseville
Flooring – Virginia Tile Co., Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Baja Dunes 997
BATHROOM, MASTER
Cabinetry – European Cabinets, Roseville
Cabinetry Hardware – Herald Wholesale, Troy
Sconces and Chandelier – Elegant Lighting
BEDROOM, MASTER
Armchairs – Caracole
Bedside Chests – Caracole
Ceiling – Tracy Ceiling
Chandelier – John-Richard
Curtains – Robert Allen Fabric, Selvaggio & Hayes, Bloomfield Hills
Fireplace – American Fireplace & Barbecue Dist., Ferndale
Headboard and Bedframe – Tutto Interiors Custom, Northville; Foam N’ More & Upholstery, Clawson
Lamps – Arteriors
Table, Coffee – Caracole
Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Baja Dunes 997
Wall Treatment (fireplace) – Mystere, Cercan Tile Inc., Michigan Design Center, Troy
FAMILY ROOM
Armchairs – TCS Designs Inc.
Ceiling – Custom, VS Carpentry, Sterling Heights
Chandelier – Stratosphere Chandelier, Currey & Co., RJ Thomas, Ltd., Michigan Design Center, Troy
Curtains – Selvaggio & Hayes, Bloomfield Hills
Fireplace – Astria, American Fireplace & Barbecue Dist., Ferndale
Fireside Chests – Belle Meade Signature
Ottoman – Kravet, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Rug – Stanton Carpet, Riemer Floors, Bloomfield Township
Sofas – Hickory Chair Interior Design Showroom, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Tables, End – Custom Dark Walnut with Weathered Mineral, Hickory Chair Interior Design Showroom, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Himalayan Trek 1542
Wall Treatment (fireplace) – Tutto Interiors Custom Design, Northville; Walnut Wood, Ann Sacks, Michigan Design Center, Troy
FOYER
Artwork – Pinecrest Decorative Grills, Tutto Interiors Custom Design, Northville
Chandelier – Strass Crystal Chandelier, James R. Moder
Flooring – Custom, Schaeffer Flooring, Troy
Front Doors – Hardwood Door & Bevel, Auburn Hills
Mirror – Lillian and August
Table – John-Richard Vases – Global Views
Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Plymouth Rock 1543
KITCHEN
Bar Stools – Custom, Charleston Forge
Cabinetry – Custom, European Cabinets, Roseville
Chairs, Dining – Schumacher, Michigan Design Center, Troy; TCS Designs Inc.
Chandelier – Glow Lighting
Countertop – Sea Pearl Quartzite
Flooring – Elegance Taupe Polished, Cercan Tile Inc., Michigan Design Center, Troy
Lighting, Bar – Hinkley Lighting Inc.
Stove – Wolf Appliances
Table – Tutto Interiors Custom, Northville; Habersham
Wall Treatment – Limestone Basketweave, Ann Sacks, Michigan Design Center, Troy
OUTDOOR GATHERING SPACE
Firepit – American Fireplace & Barbecue Dist., Ferndale
Furniture – Palecek
SITTING ROOM
Armchairs – Vanguard Furniture
Bookcases and Credenza – European Cabinets, Roseville
Fireplace – American Fireplace & Barbecue Dist., Ferndale
Flooring – Custom Finish, Schaefer Flooring, Troy
Sofa – Custom Dark Walnut Finish, Hickory Chair Interior Design Showroom, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Table, Coffee – Caracole
Table, End – Caracole
Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Ashen Tan 996
Wall Treatment (fireplace) – Custom Material with Metal Inlay, European Cabinets, Roseville
EXTERIOR
Building Materials – Limestone, Metropolitan Stone Inc., Carleton
Roof – Slate Roof, Vermont Specialty Slate
Landscaping – Carrera Landscaping Inc., Pontiac
Paint Color – Benjamin Moore, Ashen Tan 996
Windows – Marvin Windows, Bolyard Lumber, Birmingham
ADDITIONAL PROJECT CONTRIBUTORS
Architect — Allan Djordjevic, ADG @ Associates, Bloomfield Hills
Flooring, Lower Level – Virginia Tile Co.
Foyer, Decorative Painting — Robin Johnston, Faux Couture
Tilework — Gabriel Granite and Marble Inc., Bingham Farms
Wood Trim/Hardwood Flooring Installation – VS Carpentry, Sterling Heights
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