aberdeen

Project with vanbrouck & associates

ELLWOOD INTERIORS & chisek custom builders

For this growing, young family relocating to Michigan from Manhattan, we had a lot of fun designing for their “future” life that they weren’t quite living yet. They had a baby on the way, no single-family home experience, but a strong desire to settle down, establish roots, and entertain friends and family in the Mid West.

Planning for a new lifestyle, with new family members on the way, presents such a fun and inspiring challenge to us as designers! We always design flexible spaces that can grow with our clients over time, but designing for a couple used to entertaining in a small, Manhattan kitchen takes a lot of imagination from the clients as well. The clients also wanted to be able to cook more in their new kitchen, so we made sure to plan appropriately with zones that would allow for multiple cooks in the kitchen, as well as future younger member in the family. The microwave tucked into the island, directly opposite the fridge and freezer offers and easy zone for reheating kids’ meals and leftovers, while maintaining a clean aesthetic from the guests’ perspective. The tall cabinetry on either side of the refrigerator/freezer bifold, and slide to the side to allow room to work with small appliances. We also lined the bottom of the shelves in those cabinets with stainless steel to offer protection from the heat emitted from the toaster oven, and other appliances. Lift-up cabinets tucked neatly above the refrigerator and tall cabinets offer additional storage for less frequently used items, and seasonal storage.

The lower level bar was intended to evoke a Manhattan bar feel that the homeowners were familiar with. With brass bistro shelves, dark green glossy tile, and a geometric patterned floor tile. When we were confronted with the task of maintaining an open, or accessible ceiling by the builder, we decided what would be more fitting for a Manhattan bar than a tin ceiling?! Gold, tin ceiling tiles were dropped into the grid to enhance the aesthetic, and enable easy construction and maintenance access. Wallpaper set into stained wood wainscoting provides more texture and interest in the space, similar to what we see in trendy hospitality settings. The homeowners love spending time here, and provides them with a “New York” space that reminds them of home, until Michigan really feels like home. We love that!

The primary bath was designed to evoke a calm, spa-like feeling for this busy, professional young couple to unwind. Upon hearing this inspiration, we decided light blue tones would create that perfect, serene feeling while maintaining an elegant aesthetic and blending with the rest of the home. When the clients decided they also wanted their bath to have a steam shower, we were presented with the challenge of enclosing a glass shower under a vaulted ceiling, while still looking cohesive and built-in. We decided to wrap the glass shower in a stacked crown molding used elsewhere in the home. This allowed us to disguise the new shower ceiling, and then we continued the crown in the adjacent areas leading to the closet and master bedroom. With the freestanding tub centered under the windows opposite the shower statement piece, these two elements create a sense of calming balance in the space.