Stand-out Style

What started as a vision for an internationally influenced upgrade is now a reality
An elevated, sophisticated vibe defines the wine room.
An elevated, sophisticated vibe defines the wine room. – Photography by Martin Vecchio


When the owners of this Clarkston residence returned to the U.S. after spending five years in Korea and a year in China, they brought with them not only a collection of furniture, art, and accessories gathered from their travels, but an internationally influenced style and sensibility.

A built-in by Vogue Furniture impresses in this inviting lower-level sitting room.
REFINED STYLE // A built-in by Vogue Furniture impresses in this inviting lower-level sitting room.

Upon their return, the family, which includes three grown children, decided to upgrade parts of the home they had bought in 2005 to reflect their experiences. They hired Armina Kasprowicz, of Armina Interiors in Rochester Hills, to spearhead the renovation. Among the spaces they tackled together were the lower level, first-floor master suite, great room, foyer, and some second-floor areas.

Taking inspiration from nature, the designer created an elegant, spa-like ambience in the primary bath. β€œWe wanted to create a welcoming oasis,” she explains.
SPA-AAH-LIKE // Taking inspiration from nature, the designer created an elegant, spa-like ambience in the primary
bath. β€œWe wanted to create a welcoming oasis,” she explains.

At the start of the renovation, the house was a long way from the clean-lined contemporary space the homeowner envisioned, the designer says. β€œIt was very traditional, very Tuscan,” she says of the 13,000-square-foot β€œbefore.” The overall goal for the project was to lighten up the spaces and reflect the homeowners’ fresh outlook and personal style, while giving the rooms an β€œelevated, sophisticated feel,” Kasprowicz says. β€œThe challenge was updating it, but still working within the feel of the house.”

A beautiful guest bath features dark tones and captivating materials.
A TRUE OASIS // A beautiful guest bath features dark tones and captivating materials.

Included on the to-do list: a lower-level entertaining area including a bar, wine room, billiards/games room, a lounge area/sitting area with a fireplace, a theater room, home gym, and bathrooms. β€œThey wanted a unique and cozy place to entertain family and friends,” the designer explains. β€œThey didn’t use the lower level much before, and the family loves to watch movies and spend time together in the game room and bar.”

The handsome custom bar and nearby banquettes were designed with Vogue Furniture, Kasprowicz says. β€œA lof of the lower level was gutted to create a sophisticated space, but also one that would be comfortable and fun,” she says. The team also modernized the theater room, removing tall wainscoting and updating the space with black-and-white carpet, black velvet lounge chairs, custom-made, textured wallpaper, and updated audio equipment. Layered lighting was added to make the room cozy in the winter.

A clean-lined feel in the renovated home is even apparent in the stairwell.
STAIRING AT BEAUTY // A clean-lined feel in the renovated home is even apparent in the stairwell.

Polished concrete tables and lighting by Tom Dixon added to the stand-out style. β€œI mixed different materials and finishes, walnut with dark metal,” the designer explains. β€œTo add warmth, I worked with a plaster artist to create texture (for the walls) in a modern way.” She also added quartzite on the fireplace and nearby built-ins to house the homeowners’ Asian artifacts. The existing wine room was updated and a new iron door was added. β€œThis level of customization was very challenging, but we’re all happy with the results,” Kasprowicz says.

After gutting the first-floor primary bath, the designer updated it by removing a cathedral ceiling and elevating the steam shower and tub to create an elegant, spa-like ambience. β€œWe wanted to create a welcoming oasis,” she explains. β€œTaking inspiration from nature, we used a palette of natural textures and warm earth tones to transform the space from a dated, cold, and uninspired bathroom into one that surrounds our clients with luxurious finishes and textures.”

She says the renovated space is her favorite part of the house. β€œIt’s amazing, luxurious and serene, with a mix of materials that include walnut floating cabinets, custom mirrors, stone, and porcelain,” she explains.

The family barely used the lower level before it was transformed by Armina Interiors into a gorgeous entertaining space including a bar, wine room, billiards/games room, lounge, theater, and more.
COME ON DOWN // The family barely used the lower level before it was transformed by Armina Interiors into a gorgeous entertaining space including a bar, wine room, billiards/games room, lounge, theater, and more.

The bath’s layered textures and sophisticated aesthetic make it stand out, yet blend harmoniously with the rest of the owners’ first-floor suite, the designer adds. She says she worked with California Closets to redesign the closet, making it more modern as well as lighter and brighter. She also reworked the room’s fireplace and created an updated look with new furniture, a beautiful mix of neutrals and dark wood, and soft textures β€” including alpaca upholstery.

The designer also updated the first-floor great room and foyer, installing a new floor in the foyer and integrating new furniture and art, some from the family’s travels. β€œI love working with their collections of artifacts brought from Asia and pieces that have special meaning to them,” the designer says. β€œThe spaces become very personal and unique.” Art brought from Asia also was used to update the second-floor loft.

The homeowners’ first-floor suite oozes with luxury, including a finely designed closet, inviting fireplace, and layered appeal in the bedroom.
SWEET SUITE // The homeowners’ first-floor suite oozes with luxury, including a finely designed closet, inviting fireplace, and layered appeal in the bedroom.

Phase one of the renovation just wrapped up, but Kasprowicz is about to start on the lower-level bedrooms. As with the rest of the house, she’s looking forward to working with the clients to reflect their experiences and interests. Doing so, she says, assures that the home is one-of-a-kind. β€œA lot of the renovation process is integrating the clients’ personal taste,” she explains. β€œPutting it all into the mix makes it truly unique. Creating something unusual and so customized is the best part of the job.”

The homeowners were thrilled with the results, especially the designer’s work on the lower level. β€œI asked her to transform our basement into something that had a natural, organic feel and was lighter and brighter than what we had previously,” the wife says. β€œShe knocked it out of the park! It’s now our favorite place in the house to spend time together.”



BUYER’S GUIDE

INTERIOR DESIGN

Armina Interiors, Rochester Hills, arminainteriors.com

BAR AND ENTERTAINING AREA

Cabinetry – Vogue Furniture, Royal Oak
Countertops – Wilsonart, Preferred Marble & Granite, Fraser
Flooring – DuChateau, Flooring Design Inc., Michigan Design Center, Troy
Light Fixtures – Tom Dixon
Stools, Bar – Bradley USA
Wall Plaster – Venetian Plaster Co., Lake Orion
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Panda White

BATHROOM, GUEST

Countertops – Wilsonart, Preferred Marble & Granite, Fraser
Flooring – DuChateau, Flooring Design Inc., Michigan Design Center, Troy
Lighting – Troy Lighting, Lighting Resource Studio, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Mirror – Sterling Custom Homes, Bloomfield Hills
Sink – Etsy
Wall Plaster – Venetian Plaster Co., Lake Orion

BATHROOM, PRIMARY

Bath Mat – Crate & Barrel
Bathtub – BainUltra, Herald Wholesale, Troy
Chandelier – Bocci Lighting, Lumens
Countertops – Laminam, Preferred Marble & Granite, Fraser
Drawers – Vogue Furniture, Royal Oak
Flooring – Antolini, Terrazzo & Marble Supply, Farmington Hills
Mirrors – Vogue Furniture, Royal Oak
Wall Tile – Porcelain, Antolini, Terrazzo & Marble Supply, Farmington Hills

BEDROOM

Bed Frame – Robert James Collection
Chair, Accent – Roberta Schilling Collection
Chandelier – Hammerton Studio
Fireplace – Sterling Custom Homes, Bloomfield Hills
Flooring – Stanton Carpet, The Ghiordes Knot, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Lamp – Visual Comfort
Rug – Loloi Rugs
Sconces – Hammerton Studio
Table, Accent – Palecek
Table, Bedside – Kindel Furniture, Baker | McGuire, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Panda White

BILLIARDS AREA

Chandelier – Ted Abramczyk, Ralph Pucci
Flooring – DuChateau, Flooring Design Inc., Michigan Design Center, Troy
Sofas – Vogue Furniture, Royal Oak
Tables, Coffee – Custom, Mark Jupiter
Table, Pool – 11 Ravens
Wall Plaster – Venetian Plaster Co., Lake Orion

CLOSET

Closet – California Closets, Birmingham
Chandelier – Eurofase, Lighting Resource Studio, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Drawers, Island – California Closets, Birmingham
Flooring – Stanton Carpet, The Ghiordes Knot, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Panda White

SITTING ROOM/LOUNGE AREA

Bookcase – Vogue Furniture, Royal Oak
Fireplace – Sterling Custom Homes, Bloomfield Hills
Flooring – DuChateau, Flooring Design Inc., Michigan Design Center, Troy
Rug – Ashley Stark Home, Stark Carpet, Troy
Seat, Accent – CB2
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Panda White

STAIRCASE

Pot, Plant – CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Panda White

THEATER ROOM

Flooring – Cella Carpet, The Ghiordes Knot, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Lighting – Jonathan Browning, The Bright Group, Merchandise Mart
Seats – Fortress Seating
Wallpaper – Innovations USA, Rozmallin, Michigan Design Center, Troy

ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTORS

Builder – Todd Emerson, Sterling Custom Homes & Renovations, Bloomfield Hills
Closets – Maegan Donovan, California Closets, Birmingham



Text by Khristi ZimmethΒ  |Β  Photography by Martin Vecchio

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