Rooms With a View

Purchasing a home in Dearborn’s TPC (Tournament Players Club) Michigan, a private golf club with a championship course designed by Jack Nicklaus, was the perfect choice for a couple who loves the game. Still, a renovation had to be undertaken before the empty-nesters could make their mark — a transitional-with-an-edge aesthetic — on the home. They got a great score thanks to Tami Kessler, owner of Tamara Kessler & Associates Inc. in Grosse Pointe Woods, who worked on the project with her assistant, Sarah Gilpin, and Michigan Home Builders.

The two-story house in the gated neighborhood already had some redeeming architectural features like expansive windows, but the interiors needed structural updates. “They wanted to have a home they could entertain in that was also great for the two of them,” Kessler says. “The walls were opened up to make the spaces more conducive to a group.”

For more impactful interiors, Kessler added contents that contrast. “It’s important to get your eye to travel around the room between the art, fabric, furnishings, and accessories,” she says. “Visual focal points provide eye candy.”

Art played a major role in the remodel, showcasing the couple’s impressive collection that Kessler calls “contemporary, cool, and colorful.” In the foyer, a woven wallcovering lends a textured backdrop for an original Pablo Picasso sketch. A skillful mix of finishes, from a mirrored console to a wood-and-metal staircase, makes a great first impression. Black and gold accents stand out against the marble floor, which was already in place. “It all plays well together,” Kessler says.

French doors lead to a cozy den filled with comfy seating that surrounds a braided leather ottoman on casters. Playful patterns appear on pillows and swivel chairs, while a graphic rug punctuates the space. Existing grasscloth wallpaper in excellent condition was updated with a soothing shade of gray. “It’s an inexpensive way to make something pop,” Kessler says. “Painting over it lends a sculptural quality; it’s dimensional.”

Doing away with the draperies revealed gorgeous golf course views from the living room, where the original fireplace went from being a nondescript feature to adding a wow factor that reaches all the way to the ceiling. “It made an architectural impact in the room,” Kessler says of the porcelain-and-stone horizontal band detail that brightens the space. Contemporary bookshelves hold intriguing art objects.

Warm gray walls and crisp white trim establish a tranquil environment. “It keeps it calm,” Kessler says. Special elements include bolster pillows secured to a custom bench and an abstract tiger print rug with a braided leather border. A photograph by Lisa Spindler strikes a colorful note by the piano, while a contemporary landscape painting above the sofa inspired the yellow accent pillows.

All of the art was reframed, including pieces by Peter Max (not shown) that star in the hub of the home. “They’re really vibrant and add spice to the kitchen,” says Kessler, who made sure the art — not the frames — became the focal point. Crystal pendants and upholstered stools accentuate a charcoal gray island that’s topped with porcelain. Custom cabinetry by Michigan Home Builders includes the white perimeter paired with light porcelain for the counter and backsplash. Floating display shelves offer an artful approach.

Wood floors lead to the dining room, where an oval table with tapered legs got a wake-up call from cut-velvet zebra print chairs in navy blue. Art by Joan Miró shows well against dark wallpaper with a subtle bronze weave. A classic bar cart and a starburst light fixture are among the brass accents in the animated space. “They let me introduce things and go outside of the box. I can only be as good as they let me; kudos to them, they let me have fun,” Kessler says. “I thoroughly enjoyed them and ended up making new friends.”

After an active day of golf, the designer’s new friends can retire to the master bedroom, where the sky blue textural wallpaper coordinates with the bedding and the leopard print chair. A linear rug adds visual interest to the restful retreat, which features a pair of chests from the couple’s previous home that serve as nightstands. Landscape lighting ensures the golf course is visible at night. “We wanted to enhance that gorgeous vista and bring that element inside,” Kessler says. In the end, it’s all about the site.

Proper Window Treatments Rank as a Top Priority

In this spectacular setting, window treatments can make or break the views. Doing away with draperies in favor of a less obtrusive solution fit the bill for this renovated residence, located in a premium location with lots of outdoor living space.

Remote control silhouettes bring the outside in for a seamless flow. The neutral coverings practically disappear when open and are easy to close for privacy without blocking the light.

In the den, the dark wood blinds let light in, but offer something a little warmer to soften the cozy space.

The repetition of the silhouettes keeps the look cohesive on the exterior (except for the den, which faces the front of the house) and complements the architecture.

Draperies enhance the silhouettes in the dining room and in the master bedroom, where blackout shades and fabric lining are among the practical add-ons.

— JM

BUYER’S GUIDE

INTERIOR DESIGNER
Tamara Kessler, Tamara Kessler & Associates, Grosse Pointe Woods, tamarakessler.com

BEDROOM, MASTER
Armchair – Cubist Chair with Leopard Fabric, Kravet, Kravet/Lee Jofa/Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Bench – Prestige Bench
Blanket, Throw – Cristions Fine Linen & Down, Birmingham
Comforter – Sferra Bedding, Cristions Fine Linen & Down, Birmingham
Drapery, Long – Fabric Ornamentation, Cowtan & Tout, Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Flooring – Wide Plank Espresso Finish, Michigan Home Builders, Grosse Pointe
Headboard and Bedframe – Restoration Hardware
Lighting, Lamps – Restoration Hardware
Pillows, Accent – Cowtan & Tout, Tennant & Associates and Schumacher, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Rug – West Elm
Shams – Custom, Cowtan & Tout, Tennant & Associates and Schumacher, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Tray – Neiman Marcus
Wall Treatment – Relic, Maharam
Window Treatment – Silhouette, Remote Control

DEN
Armchairs – S. Thomas Fabric, Lee Industries, RJ Thomas Ltd., Michigan Design Center, Troy
Artwork (city) – Holland Berkley
Artwork (duet) – Slava Ilyayev
Ceiling Fan – Minka-Aire
Ceiling Paint – Benjamin-Moore, Eagle Rock
Flooring – Wide Plank Espresso Finish, Michigan Home Builders, Grosse Pointe
Lamp, Table – Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Ottoman – Custom, Braided Leather Ottoman, Vanderlip Upholstery, St. Clair Shores
Pillows, Accent – Pollack, Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy; Fabric Ornamentation, Riveting Fabric
Rug – Group-Haldon, Romo, Tennant & Associates, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Sofa – Lake Huron Sofa
Table, End (black) – Restoration Hardware
Table, End (silver) – Restoration Hardware
Table, End (wooden) – Henredon
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Porpoise
Window Treatment – Darkwood Blinds, Blinds Unique, Rochester Hills

DINING ROOM
(Not all elements are shown in photos.)
Artwork, Abstract – Joan Miró
Ceiling Fan – Minka Aire Fan
Centerpieces – Conner Park Florist, St. Clair Shores
Chairs, Dining – Baker, Thibaut, Rozmallin, Michigan Design Center, Troy; Etosha Velvet
Chandelier – Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Drapery – Rosario Fabric, Pindler, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Flooring – Wide Plank Espresso Finish, Michigan Home Builders, Grosse Pointe
Table, Dining – Caracole, RJ Thomas Ltd., Michigan Design Center, Troy
Table, Gold Display – Metropolitan Bar Cart and Console, Restoration Hardware
Wall Treatment – Navy Woven Textile Wall Covering, Perch, Maharam

FOYER
Artwork (black frame) – Original Pablo Picasso
Artwork (gold frame) – Original Marc Chagall (in hallway)
Bowls, Gold – Restoration Hardware
Flooring – Marble, Creamo with Black Accents
Lamp – Marble Base and Bronze Shade, Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Caviar
Wall Treatment – Woven Fabric Wall Covering, Tek-Wall, Maharam

KITCHEN
(Not all elements are shown in photos.)
Appliances – Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Dishwasher; Sharp Microwave; GE Monogram Refrigerator Drawer
Artwork – Peter Max Paintings
Bar Stools – Grandin Road
Cabinets – Bernier Cabinetry, Michigan Home Builders, Grosse Pointe
Countertop – Porcelain, PMP Marble & Granite, Troy
Flooring – Wide Plank Flooring, Michigan Home Builders, Grosse Pointe
Hood – Manhattan Hood
Lighting, Bar – Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Shelves, Floating – Bernier Cabinetry, Michigan Home Builders, Grosse Pointe
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Amazing Gray

LIVING ROOM
Armchairs, Tan – Lexington, RJ Thomas Ltd., Michigan Design Center, Troy
Artwork (piano) – Lisa Spindler, Detroit
Bench – Custom, Tamara Kessler, Vanderlip Upholstery, St. Clair Shores
Bookshelf – Williams-Sonoma
Centerpiece – Conner Park Florist, St. Clair Shores
Chairs, Swivel – Majorca, Kravet, Kravet/Lee Jofa/Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Fireplace – Leonardo’s Marble & Granite, Wixom; Real Stone Façade
Flooring – Wide Plank with Espresso Finish
Lamps – Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Ottoman – Custom, Schumacher Fabric and Vanderlip Upholstery, St. Clair Shores
Painting – Holland Berkley
Piano – Yamaha, Player
Pillows, Accent – Custom, Velvet
Rug – Custom Atlas, Braided Leather Border
Sofa – Theodore Alexander, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Table, Coffee – Lexington, RJ Thomas Ltd., Michigan Design Center, Troy
Table, Occasional – Restoration Hardware
Table, Occasional (gold) – Hickory Chair, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Tables, End – Bernhardt, RJ Thomas Ltd., Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Amazing Gray
Window Treatment – Silhouette Blinds, Rochester Hills