Photo by Shelby Dubin
Victorian Reimagined
More than a decade after beginning the renovation of their late-1800s Victorian home, its owners brought in Royal Oak-based Kendall Design + Build to reimagine the entryway, mudroom, and primary bathroom. Preserving historic features while adding complementary modern elements proved to be the perfect formula for a show-stopping residence.
Situated on a cobblestone-paved block of West Canfield in Detroit, its owners say the 4,500-square-foot home deserves a grand entryway. A vibrant custom colorway by Detroit Wallpaper Co. echoes the rich palettes of the late 1800s, while a marble mosaic floor and an Art Deco-inspired milk glass pendant bring new life to the space. “That light is perfection,” says Karen McElgunn, an in-house architect at Kendall Design + Build. “It really doesn’t look like it’s out of place, even though it’s new. It’s absolutely stunning.”
Refinishing the front door, wood paneling, and wainscoting proved challenging, Terri Bailey, president and owner of Kendall Design + Build, acknowledges. “There had been so much damage to the wood over time, and many parts and pieces weren’t original,” she explains. “We ended up doing a combination of refinishing and almost ‘painting’ some of the patches with stain. It was a very detailed process.”
At the back of the house, the team transformed a simple drop zone into a functional, welcoming mudroom. Custom touches — a cushion-topped bench, tailored window treatments, a new back door that blends with the original woodwork, and a star-patterned porcelain floor — make the space feel both purposeful and cozy. Lead designer Emily Elkins appreciates the “Old World flavor” of the tile, which lends a timeless quality.
Elkins calls Sherwin-Williams’ Evergreen Fog “the perfect muted grayish green” for the custom Shaker-style cabinetry and original wainscoting. The color was chosen to complement orange- or red-toned brick “without giving you that Christmas look between the red and the green,” she says.
That same exposed brick is abundant in the primary bathroom, where neutral colors allow it to take center stage. Working within the existing footprint, the team elevated the room with a custom vanity (replacing a small table) and a half wall that separates it from the toilet. Shelves that match the vanity were placed beside the soaking tub, and small ledges in the shower stand in for a full bench to keep it feeling larger.
“I think it has a more traditional feel to it,” Bailey says. “It’s just beautiful, and it’s unique.” The floral hexagon floor tile in the shower nods to a historic pattern, she adds, and its casual character pairs effortlessly with the brick.
“We all love being part of restoring the beautiful architecture of Detroit,” Bailey says. “Detroit was once the richest city in the country, and helping bring back its original glory and grandeur is a privilege.”
Photo by Shelby Dubin
MORE INFORMATION: kendalldesignbuild.com
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