It all started when homeowners Rachel Lee and Dustin Darke had a tree in the front yard of their Arts and Crafts-style bungalow that needed to be cut down. Wondering if there was a way to repurpose the tree, Lee conducted a search to find a local craftsperson skilled in fashioning homeware from the wood, which they might be able to use to adorn their Ferndale home. That’s when she discovered Woodward Throwbacks (WT) — the Hamtramck-based design studio founded in 2014 by Bo Shepherd and Kyle Dubay.
The Darke-Lees connected instantly with Shepherd and Dubay and their brand’s industriously elevated lifestyle — so much so, in fact, that the couple hired the power pair to design their home’s living and dining room, kitchen, foyer, three bathrooms, and garage loft.
From building furnishings out of reclaimed materials to crafting thoughtfully curated spaces (Shepherd captains the interior projects while Dubay steers the millwork, operations, and sourcing side of the business), WT is known for its mix of old and new. The duo’s brand is so well-loved throughout Detroit, workers involved in landmark demolitions often ensure it gets first dibs on heritage materials like the Book Cadillac’s marble and Michigan Central Station’s limestone. Even its 24,000-square-foot showroom and workshop embody the company’s ethos, as the structure once housed the Garrity Dodge dealership.
When it came to remodeling this 1922 home, the goal was to preserve its authenticity while creating a cozy yet eclectic space that could accommodate the growing needs of the owners and their two children. When they reached out to WT, they had already been working with architectural designer Arik Green, of Ferndale-based Arik Green Design, to open the home’s layout, update the exterior, and add an addition. Outdoors, Green added a detached garage that includes a car lift, loft, and a workspace. “My clients love entertaining and the husband is a huge car and motorcycle enthusiast,” Shepherd says. “As a former car designer, I had a blast creating this moody, but not quite man cave, space that leans masculine without feeling cliché.”
In the kitchen, meanwhile, there’s a stunning black-and-brown marble that Lee and Shepherd selected at Ciot. “With marble being a large investment, I want my clients to be in love with it before they buy it,” Shepherd says. The island was custom-fabricated by WT from salvaged oak and features display shelves, integrated appliances, a space for stools, and plenty of storage. Shepherd commissioned local welder Donut Shop to create a custom stove hood with blackened steel and a matching metal shelving unit that divides the kitchen from the dining room and functions in lieu of a bar cart.
The WT original reclaimed oak dining banquette was stained in a dark finish to match the island. The seat is topped with custom upholstery from local artist Mother Cyborg and seems to float, thanks to metal bars Shepherd added. The salvaged ash WT dining room table is flanked by black Gus Modern chairs, while vintage glossy enamel lights stand proud above. Behind, there’s a whitewashed sign that reads “Cleary’s Ice Cream.” Says Shepherd: “I have a private collection of signs I hold onto.”
In the living room, Shepherd wanted to create a place to gather. A Design Within Reach sofa with plenty of seating features an earthy tri-color fabric (“it really grounds the space”), while a golden Loos Beni Rug is plush underfoot. Anchored in the middle of the living room is an antique luggage chest Shepherd sourced from Pittsburgh. The treasured piece is perfect for storing board games, toys, and more. WT added hydraulic arms for child-friendly ease.
Above, Shepherd clad the ceiling in a white oak “to warm the space and give it more vibrancy,” while the skylights add a remarkable natural glow. The piece de resistance is the dark green zellige-tiled fireplace. “When I’m not using vintage tile, Clé is my go-to. The perfectly imperfect handmade look is always a win,” she says. It was Shepherd’s idea to extend the tiled wall into a seating element.
When it came to the bathrooms, Shepherd went for impact. The color-drenched powder room features a rich Caponata hue from Benjamin Moore, a custom WT white oak vanity, and a squiggle-shaped Lulu and Georgia mirror, while in the children’s bath Shepherd went for a mature yet playful aesthetic with a checkered Clé tile floor. For the primary en suite, the goal was to create a modern retreat with a rich brown hue, a mix of brass and gunmetal details, and shimmering, pearl-inspired Clé tile. For a sustainable accent, Shepherd used remnants from the kitchen’s marble to create the counters and mirror frames.
In the foyer, Shepherd added a closet for more storage. Modified antique doors in a high-gloss black with vintage hardware elevate the addition. Two aged brass sconces from designer Amber Lewis hang glamorously over a one-of-a-kind console table that reads “New” on the left hand drawer and “Used” on the right. It’s the perfect expression of what this project was all about. “At the end of the day, we’re surrounded by artwork and works made by friends and loved ones. That’s the only way we want to live,” Lee says.
More information: throwbackshome.com
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