When Vesper Books and Wine opened in Core City in late 2024, a 12-year-old dream was realized for Symantha Duggan, who co-owns and operates the business with her fiance, Rob Wilson. The 2,400-square-foot space within a historic bank building cohesively blends original elements such as pink marble floors, plaster, and check-signing counters with warm woods and pops of color. Elise DeChard, owner and architect of END Studio in Detroit, headed up Vesper’s transformation and describes the aesthetic as “playful maximalism.”
“We wanted to create these anchor points to draw people deep into the space,” DeChard says. One such anchor is the curved bar, made from wood chip terrazzo counters and set against a background of mustard yellow subway tile. “It feels welcoming and immediately catches your attention when you come in.”
The retail area, filled with a solid collection of hospitality-themed books, serves as a striking focal point. The bookshelves and wine storage millwork, custom-made by Detroit’s Chad Fillmore of Surfing Cowboy Studio, infuse the space with warmth and character. Other custom furnishings include the stand-alone tables, which were crafted by Detroit-based designer and craftsman Jason Kehdi of Argonaut Studio, and the aforementioned curved bar that Kehdi created with Lily Kline of Detroit-based Umbel Studio.
Aside from the Grand Rapids Chair Co. bar stools, Duggan and Wilson personally tracked down vintage pieces that closely mirrored the design rendering. Several prized Howard Furniture pieces, which have been placed close to the bar command attention.
One of Duggan’s favorite elements is the repurposed vault, which features green velvet benches and cozily fits eight. It’s perfect for small book clubs or date nights. She also loves the mural, with its whimsical green shapes, by Detroit artist Martyna Alexander. “It softens the harshness of the white walls against the marble,” Duggan says.
“We wanted it to feel like you’re walking into a friend’s apartment,” adds Duggan, who brought in about 50 of her own houseplants to Vesper. She hopes visitors use it as “a third space between work and home that’s sacred, where they can bring their whole selves.”
More information: e-n-d-studio.com, vesperbooksandwine.com
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