Guided by interior designer Rita O’Brien, this fully-renovated urban dwelling feels like a breath of fresh air. The long and narrow home previously had dark interiors and a dated layout; thanks to O’Brien, the formerly dingy space has given way to an open floor plan with new features that take the Birmingham home to new heights. In the end, the principal of Rita O’Brien Interiors at the Michigan Design Center in Troy transformed the tired residence into a light and bright environment.
The designer says she could see the potential of the long and narrow house, which sits on a modest lot where new landscaping was another welcome addition. “We opened up the walls and added windows, a front porch, and a French-door entrance. Previously, the only entrances were a side door and a little door to the garage,” she notes.
A spacious living area benefits from additional windows that showcase the new entrance, while cozy corner seats offer the perfect perch for the homeowner. “She’s an avid reader and there are a couple of spots (where she can) curl up,” O’Brien says. A sizable sofa with a wide chaise offers a comfy place for her to sit while entertaining friends and family.
Swivel chairs join a wood bookcase and a metal mirror in the living room. A concrete coffee table with decorative edging holds a hand-carved teak tray tray from Bali, while a soft gold-and-glass console table features custom local art above. “The space is very serene,” O’Brien says. “The owner just wanted it to be peaceful and unique.”
A sense of serenity continues in a cozy kitchen nook in front of the fireplace, which pairs three upholstered swivel chairs and a small round custom table. A petite bar fits in perfectly beside the fireplace, and a white sideboard is the perfect place to store the homeowner’s china. Off-white walls create a soothing backdrop.
O’Brien says that at first, the homeowner was a bit hesitant to use two cabinet colors in the kitchen. “Now she likes the white cabinets with the others that have a natural finish,” the designer says. Quartz counters and concave subway tiles complete the space, where brass and wood pendant lights add a lovely touch above the peninsula.
A nod to local talent can be found in the art that appears throughout the house, much of which has been done by Michigan artists. “The owner wanted her home to feel warm,” O’Brien says, adding that sophisticated updates made existing features, like the staircase, shine. “The black lacquer adds such a nice touch,” she points out.
Other attractive add-ons include a floral grasscloth that lends texture to a hallway by the side door that once served as the main entrance to the home. “She just wanted a pop of color there,” O’Brien says. A semi-flush alabaster and gold ceiling fixture sheds light on the black lacquer-paneled door to complete the look.
A first-floor powder room wows with custom geometric wallpaper that O’Brien calls “multidimensional.” The black ceiling and granite counter help to kick up the visuals in the compact space.
Custom details continue in a guest bedroom that has a cathedral ceiling, upholstered beds separated by a custom rolling ottoman with locking casters, and layered bedding. The long ottoman provides a place for visitors to sit during their stay. A second guest room also offers comfort with a custom queen upholstered bed and a bench.
The spacious primary bedroom, which includes a fireplace, is well-edited like the rest of the home. “The homeowner is a minimalist; less is more,” O’Brien says. Key pieces include a streamlined desk where the homeowner likes to pay bills, and a bed that combines fabric with steel and wood. A wool rug and a leather cowhide further soften the space.
Earth tones create a calming effect in the master bath, where a glass-enclosed shower replaced a smaller version. A sculptural tub adds a luxurious touch to the well-appointed space. “She wanted to brighten it up,” O’Brien says. “We took (the bathroom) down to the studs.” Neutral cabinets support a quartz counter and double sinks. The textured floor combines the gray, taupe, and white tones that are woven throughout the home.
Little lights, like the one beside the tub, come from Italy. “They run on batteries and they have chargers,” O’Brien says. “You can dim them, too.” The polished nickel hardware that also appears throughout the house features a variety of finishes. “It just works with the natural wood,” the designer explains.
As is the case in many projects, there were challenges along the way. In this home, it was the first-floor layout. “We had to change everything and make it look like it wasn’t a long and narrow house,” O’Brien says. “We had to fill the void, but not make it look too crowded.” The well-curated rooms also had to be kid- and pet-friendly, for her client’s grandchildren and her dog.
Today the happy homeowner is living large in her freshly-renovated, right-sized home.
BUYER’S GUIDE
INTERIOR DESIGN
Rita O’Brien Interiors, Troy, ritaobrien.com
BATHROOM, POWDER
Countertop – Preferred Marble & Granite, Fraser
Mirror – Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Sink – Kohler, Herald Wholesale, Troy
Wallpaper – Fenwick Bartel, Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
BATHROOM, PRIMARY
Bath Mat – CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Bathtub – Kohler
Cabinetry – Rutt Quality Cabinetry, Gardner Builders, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Countertops – Preferred Marble & Granite, Fraser
Lighting – Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Mirrors – Since, Herald Wholesale, Troy
Shower – Cercan Tile, Gardner Builders, Michigan Design Center, Troy
BEDROOM, PRIMARY
Artwork, Left – Decoroom, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Artwork, Right – Mark Wollock, TRA Art Group, Clawson
Bed Frame – Hickory Chair, Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Chandelier – Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Desk – Currey & Company, Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Rug – The Ghiordes Knot, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Tables, Bedside – Hickory Chair, Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Seapearl
HALLWAY
Candles – Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Chest – Rowe Furniture, Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Flooring – Regenerated Core Flooring, Detroit
Lamp – Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Mirror – Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Seapearl
HALLWAY 2
Light, Ceiling – Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Rug – The Ghiordes Knot, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wallpaper – Schumacher, Michigan Design Center, Troy
KITCHEN
Artwork – Lenore Gimpert, Bruce White Galleries, Clawson
Blinds – The Shade Store, Kravet, Kravet | Lee Jofa | Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Cabinetry – Rutt Quality Cabinetry, Gardner Builders, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Countertops – Difiniti, Preferred Marble & Granite, Fraser
Flooring – Regenerated Core Flooring, Detroit
Lighting – Palecek, Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Sink – Blanco, Herald Wholesale, Troy
Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Seapearl
LIVING ROOM
Armchairs – Custom, Rowe Furniture, Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Artwork – Bruce White Galleries, Clawson
Chaise – Custom, Rowe Furniture, Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Flooring – Regenerated Core Flooring, Detroit
Lamps – Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Rug – The Ghiordes Knot, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Sofa – Custom, Rowe Furniture, Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Table, Coffee – Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Table, Display – Rowe Furniture, Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Table, Side – Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Seapearl
SITTING ROOM
Armchairs – Custom, Rowe Furniture, Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Artwork – Laurel Pitynski, Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Lamps – Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Mirror – Interlude, Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Rug – The Ghiordes Knot, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Stool – Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Table, Bar – Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Vase – Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
STAIRCASE
Artwork – Susan Morosky, Bruce White Galleries, Clawson
Chest – Rowe Furniture, Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Lamp – Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Tray – Rita O’Brien Interiors, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Text by Jeanine Matlow | Photography by Jeff Garland
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