Patrick Thompson, principal of Patrick Thompson Design in Detroit, says his clients, Alan Kalter and Chris Lezotte, wanted to trade their larger, rural contemporary home for a more urbane, modern factory-inspired space. “The inspiration would come from the Bauhaus movement, which emphasized creativity, but would retain the practicality of Germany in the late 1800s and early 1900s,” Thompson says.
Homeowners Alan Kalter and Chris Lezotte called on interior designer Patrick Thompson, of Detroit’s Patrick Thompson Design, to deconstruct and reconstruct their Ann Arbor condo and create a colorful abode. Opposite page: The home’s second-level family room features a window wall that opens to a terrace with panoramic views.
The couple had a similar sensibility in mind with their imaginative and nontraditional design approach, which was sensitive to their requests for function and detail.
After living in a larger home on 18 acres, the couple was ready for a lifestyle change. “We wanted (our home) to be much more intimate; smaller in every way,” Lezotte says. “We saw a condo building in Ann Arbor with a lovely unit, but we have two Bullmastiffs. Then we found out the building next door was available, and it was part of the condos.”
“Custom pieces by local artisan Anton Maka make a strong yet sensitive statement in the home and speak to the owners’ appreciation of craft and material,” Thompson says of the dining table and coffee table shown above.
The existing structure was deconstructed and reconstructed, and the process provided additional inspiration. “We leaned into the industrial elements like the original brick patterning and proportions, which were similar to Walter Gropius’ Fagus factory in Germany and other modern buildings in Europe from that period,” Lezotte notes.
The staircase features white oak and black steel accentuated with a wool, runner.
“They loved the idea of embracing this aesthetic on the exterior, while creating a clean interior that would become the perfect backdrop for their art and artifacts,” Thompson adds. “We worked closely with O|X in Ann Arbor to get the exterior just right. They took the lead on the second-floor addition layout and exterior materials, which worked very nicely with the direction we wanted to go.”
The designer also credits Perkins Construction. “They obsessed over every single detail,” he says. Thompson says he and his team learned how the couple lives, and designed the home around their daily habits and passions. For instance, he came up with a bespoke millwork solution for their collection of hats from every Major League Baseball stadium in the U.S. that makes the display look like an art installation.
“They’re also avid dog aficionados, and we selected certain pieces from their existing art collection that reflect that passion,” Thompson says. “They were drawn to colorful pops of modern elements that inspired artwork placement, and (they agreed to using) wallpaper and color throughout the home. We incorporated the layout of artwork very early on in the design process — almost designing around pieces, so they really felt integrated into the interior design of the home.”
A two-story fireplace makes a striking statement. “It stands central and strong, almost like it’s holding up the house,” Thompson says. “It feels like it was always in that exact spot and the rest of the home was crafted around it. It’s clad in a muted burnished handmade ceramic tile that feels really earthy — rural and modern at the same time.”
Polished concrete floors on the main level that capture the warmth and patina of an old factory floor could also pass for original. In the living room, a seating area with new furnishings, including a custom coffee table, surrounds the asymmetrical fireplace. The modern light fixture has an industrial feel. “It’s very warm and cozy for how minimalistic it is,” Thompson says about the home.
A two-story fireplace makes a striking statement.
In the kitchen, millwork with a walnut stain complements the dark porcelain counters and backsplash, which incorporates an integrated shelf for the couple’s pottery collection. “The fully upholstered Italian leather dining chairs are very comfortable. They have a catcher’s mitt feel to them,” he adds.
Other areas offer more comfort. “A secret home office underneath the stairs is a playful spot. You can close it, and it’s a little surprise when you go around the corner,” Thompson says. The couple also favors the second-level family room, where a window wall opens to the terrace for panoramic views and blurs the lines between inside and out, doubling the square footage.
Thompson says his clients were wonderfully specific, which led to a highly collaborative and successful project. “This home is one of the most thoughtful and intimate projects we’ve had the pleasure of working on,” he adds. “There’s a reason, aesthetically and functionally, for every single moment in this home.”
This primary bathroom features a white oak vanity and Heath Ceramics tiles. Below: Reclaimed brick, steel railings, and custom details define the exterior.
Kalter returns the praise: “We tend to like designers who work in the commercial space, and then convince them they should work in the residential space. We loved what Patrick did in restaurants, and we were blown away by him and his staff. They were innovative and creative, they listen and respond, and they didn’t mind if we had some ideas.”
Lezotte adds: “Not only was the relationship between us great, but they worked so well with the architect and the construction company. That really made the project exceptional. They were all on the same page and got along.”
As Kalter explains, “Chris wanted a condo and I wanted a teardown. In the end, we found the best of both worlds. Every day we walk around and there’s something to see that makes you smile, that excites you. It’s never boring. Wherever you look, it’s a reward. It has an impact on our emotions and our lives. It’s just brilliant.”
|
|
|
