Rustic and Refined

When Mark Barrett and his wife, Kim, finally bought their dream property in the quaint village of Metamora 10 years ago, they turned to interior designer Deanna Alban, owner of Deanna Alban Interiors in Oxford, to set the right tone for their horse country home.

The Barretts had spent two decades raising their children, Haley, Riley, and Caleb, in Orion Township before purchasing 20 acres of farmland where their growing family could gather and their horses could roam. The picturesque property has rolling hills, a pine forest, and multiple ponds, as well as a new house, several barns, and an indoor riding arena.

“Before we purchased it, the farmland had grown wild, but we had a vision for what the property could be,” explains Mark Barrett. “We always had a dream of living in the country and, while most people our age are downsizing, we decided to upsize.”

Barrett says the family became interested in horses when their oldest child, Haley, took her first riding lesson at age 9. Now, as an adult and a mother herself, she continues to ride and participate in competitions.

In addition to Alban, the couple worked with D.L. Jones & Associates Architects in Oxford and the gifted late builder, Wade Sullivan, of WM Sullivan in Lake Orion, to complete their 6,500-square-foot custom home. After the original project was completed, they also entrusted Alban with the interior design of the home’s walkout lower level.

“Mark and Kim wanted to create a sanctuary for their family — a ‘cool place’ for their kids and grandkids to come over and hang out. It’s a rugged yet refined forever home that has everything the family wanted and needed to make lots of memories,” Alban explains.

“The interior of the house was designed to be casual, comfortable, and a little rustic, with an equestrian flair,” she adds. “Nothing fussy. They didn’t want it to look like a new build, so I gave the home a warmer and cozier lived-in look with rich texture, especially on the walls, (using) tile, wood, and wallpaper to add warmth and character to the space.”

“…the house was designed to be casual, comfortable, and a little rustic, with an equestrian flair.”
— Deanna Alban

The home’s overall color palette has a moody sensibility, with rich darker neutral colors interspersed with white and light for contrast. Alban used materials such as reclaimed barnwood, leathered marble, and mixed metals that she blended with a range of furnishings and textiles — from velvet and linen to cowhide — to create the warmth and visual interest of texture upon texture.

On the main level, Alban says the great room and kitchen create an open yet inviting family gathering space. Wood ceiling beams were added to the great room to “embrace the pitches and make it look original, with a lived-in look and feel.” The relaxing country views from this area are framed by linen-blend drapery sporting an unexpected geometric Greek Key patterned trim.

The finished 2,400-square-foot lower level significantly increased the family-centered areas in the home, with a bedroom, bathroom, full kitchen, and thoughtful seating arrangements anchored by a linear fireplace. Its windows and doors look out onto a much-enjoyed patio and peaceful views of the pine trees and horse pasture.

The lower-level kitchen serves as a fun family focal point with its 20-foot-long-plus marble countertop bar, which Alban admits posed one of the few challenges of the project. “Marble is really heavy and, as an afterthought, we ended up stabilizing it with cut wood beams that added a cool element to the design,” she explains.

While the designer says she loves the entire lower-level project, she’s particularly drawn to two areas: “There are so many elements in the bathroom that I love — the sand-blasted marble countertops with a floating vanity, the penny tile, and the big shower. I also love the banquette area under the stairs. It’s such a quaint, cozy spot. We took a somewhat awkward space and, with velvet, marble, leather, and a gorgeous brass light fixture, we turned it into something beautiful.

“This has been one of my favorite projects. They gave me free rein, and I poured my heart and soul into it. In the process, they’ve become like family to me.”

For the Barretts, the creation of the family-focused property they have since named True North Farm has been the realization of a dream. It has also created new dreams for the next generation by becoming the marriage proposal site for two of their three adult children.

Barrett, who has spent decades working in the auto industry and continues commuting to Detroit, reflects, “This is what we wanted: dirt roads, peacefulness, (to be) surrounded by nature, and built around family. We consider this a legacy property to give that farm experience to our kids and grandkids, and for family and friends to enjoy. I’ve been fortunate enough in my career to be able to do this. We hope it will always stay in our family.”

BEHIND THE DESIGN

INTERIOR DESIGNER
Deanna Alban, Deanna Alban Interiors, Oxford, @deannaalbaninteriors

PROJECT CONTRIBUTORS
Builder: Wade Sullivan, Lake Orion
Cabinets: H.J. Oldencamp, Royal Oak
Electrical: Waske Electric, Lake Orion
Tile Installer: Elite Tile & Stone, Sterling Heights
Trim and Millwork: Howe Custom Carpentry, Davison
Wallpaper Installer: Thomas Brothers Interiors, Clawson

CASTLE BAY BY THOM FILICIA
Kravet | Lee Jofa | Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy, mdc.com, kravet.com

“The plaid wallpaper is very Ralph Lauren-inspired,” designer Deanna Alban says, adding that it gives  the lounge an all-American, masculine feel.”

MORRIS LANTERN, Visual Comfort, Birmingham, visualcomfort.com

“This pendant light is one of my overall favorite pendants to use,
thanks to its aged, antique feel.”

ANTILOCARPA RUG Stark, Troy, starkcarpet.com

“This rug adds a moody feel with its deep color, and it plays nicely with the plaid.”

ROCKWELL SWIVEL BAR STOOL, Alder and Tweed, alderandtweedfurniture.com

“I chose this stool mainly for its mix of leather and herringbone fabric. It’s so comfortable,” Alban says. “I even ordered these for my own home!”

SAVOY RIBBED TILE, Ann Sacks, Michigan Design Center, Troy, mdc.com, annsacks.com

“This textured backsplash adds interest and dimension to the bar, and it’s one of my favorites.”

Wesley Hall Jamestown Swivel Chair, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy, mdc.com, caidesigns.ne

“Hands down, this is one of my top picks for a comfortable swivel chair. We added a lovely plaid fabric to the chair to keep with the masculine theme.”

Leigh Upholstered Bed, Four Hands, fourhands.com

“The brown leather straps on the headboard add to the barn-inspired, equestrian theme I was going for,” Alban says of the bed in the guest room.