B R AV O !
H A R M O N Y AT H O M E A Grosse Pointe lounge sings with its new, retro-chic look TEXT BY CHRISTINE HOPE HILDEBRAND | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAT STEVENSON
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hen Alexis and Jalen Reeves-Maybin enlisted Alex Decker, founder and principal designer of A Decker Design, to reimagine the first floor of their traditional Grosse Pointe Farms home, an expected aesthetic greeted her: nautical references, cool tones, and a palette inspired by nearby Lake St. Clair. The homeowners, however, wanted a temperature shift. “The goal was to create warmth,” Decker says. Serving as both a home office and library/lounge, the room needed to feel distinct, plush, and personal while enhancing its natural beauty and mixing in a bit of a Detroit flair. “After moving to Grosse Pointe from downtown Detroit, we wanted to capture some of the warmth and ambience we loved in Detroit’s beautiful speakeasies,” says homeowner Alexis Reeves-Maybin. Adding, “I also wanted the room to be multifunctional — a place where we could work, host guests for coffee or a drink, or simply unwind.” Inspired by luxe lounges, city cocktail bars, and the growing popularity of listening rooms, Alexis and Jalen gravitated toward an interior that felt both sophisticated and welcoming. Decker achieved that balance through warm tones, layered textures, and a thoughtful high-low mix. “It’s about super-luxe materials and price points mixed with approachable items,” she says. “Not everything has to be top of the line; it just has to work together.” When Decker was considering fabrics to use for custom window treatments, she discovered Marvic Textiles’ “Vesta” print in a cinnamon-and-charcoal colorway. Upon taking a closer look, Decker noted the fabric’s design mimics soundwaves, so she proposed using it in the space. Jalen asked if it could be framed as art, and Decker executed the vision in a metallic floating frame to sit within the wall’s millwork. “We used the fabric as our jumping-off point,” she says. The same
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“sound-wave” fabric is threaded in the space in the form of custom pillows atop a bespoke Coley Home settee upholstered in rich chocolate velvet. To move the space away from the home’s cooler palette, Decker embraced autumnal hues, earthy neutrals, layers of visual and tactile texture, and subtle nods to 1970s-inspired design. The result is what she calls “visual drama” — unexpected focal points that create intrigue and edge. Lighting became central to achieving that vision. An existing built-in bookcase presented a challenge, as Decker wanted integrated illumination without disturbing the millwork. Her solution was a layered lighting strategy featuring vertical shelf lighting, ambient fixtures, and sconces that cast a warm glow throughout the room. Patinated brass accents and matte finishes subtly reflect light, adding depth without excessive shine. Custom Harlequin drapery woven with copper threads introduces a delicate shimmer, while patterned Four Hands swivel chairs, a silk-soft rug, and a scalloped-edge desk reinforce the room’s lounge-like atmosphere. Curved seating, layered patterns, and softly diffused lighting complete the effect. Originally conceived as the more masculine room in the home, the space evolved into a gathering place for the entire family. Jalen uses the room as an office, the couple’s oldest daughter does her homework there, and “after the kids are asleep, it becomes one of our favorite places to unwind — we love using it as a space to unplug, listen to music, and enjoy each other’s company,” Alexis shares. Notably absent is a television. Instead, the room embraces an analog sensibility centered on focus, connection, and conversation. It’s a place that’s designed equally for escape and togetherness — and, above all, it’s a place to stop and listen. MORE INFORMATION: adeckerdesign.com