Birmingham, MI March 2023

BLOOMFIELD HILLS ROYAL OAK

ROYAL OAK

©2023 California Closet Company, Inc. Each California Closets® franchised location is independently owned and operated.

The Home Issue

Home. So much contained in that little four letter word. Home is our grounding. Our base. Our launchpad. It’s where we start and end each day. And while the particulars look different for each of us, the meaning and value it holds for all of us is undeniable.

Author Wendy Wunder said, “The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.” As we thought about home, we wanted to highlight what makes it special to our readers. That of course includes the aesthetic, the design, but most importantly, the people.

As you flip through the pages of this issue, we hope you’ll feel encouraged and connected to the people around you - in your city, neighborhood and most all of - your home.

Every month, we hear from readers who keep this magazine for longer than just the month labeled on the cover. They say they hold onto it for months as coffee table art or an accessory in their home. We feel proud to create a resource that is valued in our community and strive every month to deliver the value you expect. Thanks for letting us be a part of your home.

Happy March!

ALI KRAMER, PUBLISHER @BIRMINGHAMCITYLIFESTYLE

March 2023

PUBLISHER

Ali Kramer | ali.kramer@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Lynne Konstantin | lynne.konstantin@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Rayna Southart | rayna.southart@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Lisa Gindi | lisa.gindi@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Karl Moses, Martin Vecchio

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

The Agency Hall & Hunter Congratulates

Our # 1 Top Producing Team

Year after year, Meredith Colburn Real Estate is recognized as our #1 Top Producing Team. Ranked in the top 1% of Realtors® nationwide, they continuously provide their clientele with extensive local expertise, personalized concierge service, cutting-edge technology and access to a vast global network.

Nanci J. Rands Associate Broker Jessica Weisman Realtor® Adriane Dundon Realtor®

Caroline Johnson Realtor®

Brooke Goodstein Operations Manager/Realtor®

Customize

At

Jubilee Fashion Show & Awards Gala at the Flagstar Strand Theatre in Pontiac, Jan. 6:

1: Ashley Harris and Jared Barraco. 2: Sophia Fossano modeling a dress by Brittany Ray. 3: Taylor McKay, RC Caylan, Carlos Martinez, Michael Martinez, Rick Winn.

Das Law, PLLC Celebrates Its Two-Year Anniversary

Over the past two years, Das Law, PLLC has helped hundreds of people create custom estate plans that keep their assets and loved ones out of court and out of conflict. Whether it’s their minor children, financial assets, spouses, or something else; it has been their continued privilege to serve members of the community by building plans which protect what matters most to them.

Get

touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamMI

A Perfect Union

ARTICLE BY LYNNE KONSTANTIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARL MOSES

A beautifully blended, livably modern home sits high atop Birmingham.

Nestled on a hillside overlooking Birmingham’s Little San Francisco, a resplendent home belies its suburban address — which is part of its unique beauty.

A collaborative creation of Brian Neeper of Birmingham’s Brian Neeper Architecture, Justin Friedman, builder and founder of HM Homes in Royal Oak and investor Chase Rogers, a realtor with Max Broock in Birmingham, it was built to display the best of what each can offer.

“It’s a very unique site, perched on a hillside. It has a New York City brownstone feel to it because it hovers over the street, then looks down over the Rouge River,” Neeper says. “That’s what made it a challenge — but often, these challenging projects produce the most dynamic designs.”

Before beginning, the trio tapped interior designer Ian Hartwell, owner of Oliver Max in Royal Oak, allowing for collaboration from the ground up and a unified vision. “This way, we are involved in every aspect of the home — right down to the toilets and faucets, trim molding, color of doors — we’re all on the same page,” Hartwell says. “We wanted this home to be modern, but livable, so it has details that are a bit softer and more organic.” To achieve this, he brought in different textures with drapery, rugs, throws, pottery — even, on an expansive wall in the living room, utilizing a rich wallcovering mural as artwork.

“Our goal is to really make sure that we do classic work, but at the same time, it needs to be our clients’ vision,” Hartwell says. “I never want to lock myself into a look or follow a path — that makes me

learn, makes me try new things, and it’s more interesting for me. I don’t want to say, “this is what I do and I'm fabulous.’ I want to do fabulous things and have each project be unique and individual.

“I wanted this house to be softer, elegant, different,” he says. “There are patterns here and there in the drapery, the rugs, the throws, interesting objects, pottery. Wanted it a bit more organic and collected-to.”

That starts with a vision inspired by the space itself, and its surroundings. “When I’m in this house, I really feel so comfortable,” Neeper says. “There’s something about it — the scale of the spaces, the views. There’s a ton of natural light filtering through the house, coming from a lot of different directions because it’s perched up so high.

“I love how the light filters through the house,” he says. “The way the spaces interact with the light.”

THE DETAILS ON THE COVER

On the outside, on certain days, the trim color has a green cast to it, which echoes the green walls in the library. “We didn’t want it to be so literally a black-and-white house,” Ian Hartwell says. “We wanted the trim to still have an element of impact, but to be a little softer. I also love the fact that the front entrance [on the cover] is more of a courtyard. People might see it as not having a lawn or garden, but it’s got a European openness that lets you get a sense of the space and makes the home more approachable. You want to see what’s inside.”

FIREPLACE

The double-sided fireplace has a troweled-on limestone finish, giving a looser, more organic impression. It also serves to divide the open spaces into the living room on one side and the dining room on the other. “We tried to introduce more details that were softer and more curvy rather than square furniture,” Hartwell says. “So that it’s modern, but not in a linear way.” White oak flooring throughout the home is by Everlast Floors in Troy.

DINING ROOM

“Clients are moving away from a formal dining room with heavy mahogany tables and sideboards,” Hartwell says. “Our dining table and light fixture sets some formality but better fits today’s lifestyle.” Rounded table ends with round fluted bases are further softened by white boucle chairs. To the right (not pictured), a tall narrow bookcase takes the place of a sideboard. “People aren’t doing china cabinets as much, but they still have books and photos and china to display,” Hartwell says. “This is a great spot for these family-friendly pieces. And then there’s the amazing view.”

THE KITCHEN

“The kitchen is the heart of the home,” Neeper says. “The whole house is very kitchen-centric. It’s such a nice bright open area, it opens to all of the living spaces — the staircase and that great big view to the right, the dining room is behind it.” Double islands provide plenty of prep space plus extra seating. A softer approach to the all-white kitchen, the counters, backsplash and range wall are all crafted of off-white honed Antolini Apollo quartzite with “warm hints of green-bluey and browny veins, which relates to the softer tones of house,” Hartwell says. “Green is the dominant color in the house, but in this application, it’s more earthy.” The ends of the islands are curved into half-rounds, reeded and

painted white. A butler’s pantry to the left of the stove hides appliances. To the right, the arched doorway leading to the library is mimicked throughout the house, including the steel door frame by Weldworks.

THE LIBRARY

Rather than heavy paneling, Hartwell enveloped the library with a deep, dark leafy green, giving it a grasscloth

texture; the trim is painted the same color with semi-gloss. “It still has a masculine sensibility to it, it’s a soothing, softer, less-formal approach. It has a similar effect to a paneled library, but the color, the curved sofas, boucle chairs and fur rug — and sunlight — bring a little levity to the space,” he says. “It can be a library or a retreat for the whole family.” A white oak desk is built into one wall, in case there’s work to be done.

THE MASTER BATH

The master bath is an oasis. Durable, slick porcelain in the shower looks like marble; the floor is grainy, textural limestone, then layered with a fuzzy, romantic rug. “The lighting fixture is an opportunity to bring in softness,” Hartwell says. “Orbs and spheres are very current right now. They’re modern without being linear.”

THE STAIRCASE

In the foyer, white oak stairs by Northern Staircase in Pontiac are framed by custom steel railing by Weldworks in Royal Oak.

THE LIVING ROOM

To the left of the double-sided fireplace, the living room is designed around the stunning wall of windows. “Instead of doing gray and white, which has been popular recently, we wanted to tone it down and warm it up,” Hartwell says. “The sofas are a mink-colored velvet, we brought brown into the flat-weave rug with a shaggy criss-cross design, there are spots of brass. It’s about being a bit more artful and interesting.” Echoing the expanse of windows, a focal point of the room is a wallcovering mural by Arte, which Hartwell appropriated into artwork, a “more updated, aesthetic application. It actually makes it more cozy,” he says. The gabardine draperies, patterned with caramel, brown mink and green tones and lightly lined, are intended to frame the view, rather than provide privacy. “Look into those windows,” Hartwell says. “It’s such an eclectic little spot — you can see different styles of architecture, almost like Paris or New York, where you see so many different views out your window. I love this little area.”

THE MASTER BEDROOM

“We wanted this room to be luxurious but comfortable and approachable,” Hartwell says. Crisp white bedding, angora coverlets layered on top, a hide on the floor soften the modern metal of the canopy bed, which accentuates the height of the ceiling. “The bed feels even cozier when you’re in it,” he adds. “It’s like being inside of the square.” The nightstands are a combination of leather and hide, and the poufs at the end of the bed are knotted wool. “Things don’t have to be overdone."

Modern Love

ARTICLE BY LYNNE KONSTANTIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN VECCHIO

Todd Emerson has built and renovated hundreds of homes, including four of his own. Fortunately, Sterling Custom Homes & Renovations in Bloomfield Hills, which Emerson co-owns with his brother, Marc Alexander, is a one-stop shop for everything he needed to build his most recent home.

With each home, he’s gone “more and more toward modern,” says the builder and founder of Sterling. “Now, with this one, I’ve gone all modern.”

The modern Prairie-style home, constructed from stone, stucco and aluminum, allowed Emerson and his wife, officially empty-nesters, to downsize (but at 6,200-square-feet, it still has

plenty of space for visitors) and be able to walk to Downtown Birmingham. And with the help of frequent collaborator Amy Miller Weinstein, interior design and owner of AMW Design Studio in Birmingham, every inch of space is utilized in a functional, friendly way.

With a “completely open floor plan on the main level,” Emerson says, he and Weinstein created two seating groups, one near the fireplace and another in the den, plus additional seating at the dining table and at the kitchen island, making the entire space conducive to conversation. The area near the fireplace, to the left of the kitchen island, is what Emerson CONTINUED >

Take a peek inside a builder’s own Birmingham home.

The modern Prairie-style home packs 6,200-square-feet of living space on a 50-by-165-square-foot lot.

A sturdy porcelain double-sided desk creates two separate L-shaped workstations.

A corner bar replete with wine storage, ice maker, beverage cooler, sink and more, is centered around a mosaic tile backsplash of polished marbles and stones.

The round dining table seats eight. “Round tables are trending because they're great for drawing people into conversation,” Emerson says.

Under the TV in the den, a floating piece of onyx-topped steel art is underlit to glow a warm brown color up the wall, courtesy of Gallery Steel in Waterford.

calls the “hearth room.” Tucked right next to the hearth room is a corner bar, which provides additional seating and is replete with wine storage, ice maker, beverage cooler, sink and more, is centered around a mosaic tile backsplash of polished marbles and stones. Above the fireplace is a Samsung Frame TV, which becomes artwork after being turned off.

Central to the two-toned kitchen is a Belvedere black granite island with a leathered finish and a prep sink. To the left of the window is the covered refrigerator; to the right is a dish pantry. “You open the two doors at eye level, and there are shelves for glasses, coffee cups,” he says. “In the drawers is an adjustable peg system that holds plates, bowls and other china. Doing dish pantries is a trend that’s not going away anytime soon.”

In lieu of a walk-in pantry, a wall of black-painted cabinets with frosted glass has pull-outs for canned goods, snacks, potatoes and bakeware, plus

a countertop that hides the blender, toaster and other appliances. Beyond that a sliding black barn door opens to the mudroom; beyond the dining table is an inset den, with a 12-foot sliding door that opens to an outdoor deck — extending the space substantially.

Beneath the three-car-attached garage, very uncommon in Birmingham lots, is an exercise room and shower with sauna in the lower level, which leads to a second living area with billiards table and wet bar.

In the office, a sturdy porcelain double-sided desk looks just like concrete and creates two complete, separate L-shaped work spaces for Emerson and his wife, who works in finance; printers are stored inside the cabinets by Perspectives Custom Cabinetry in Troy (who crafted all of the cabinetry in the home). “There’s plenty of room to spread out, and it’s symmetrical,” Emerson says. “Everybody loves symmetry.”

With each of his own homes that he’s built, builder Todd Emerson has gone “more and more toward modern.” Now, he says of his new Prairie-style home, “I’ve gone all modern.”

HEARING center at the

SPRING INTO BETTER HEARING!

Now that spring is here, it’s time for a fresh start –and that includes your hearing.

With one easy call to The Hearing Center at ENT Specialists , we’ll make sure your hearing is the best it can be, whether your hearing aids need repairing, a good cleaning, or an upgrade to new technology.

BINGHAM FARMS: 248.453.9300 31100 Telegraph · Ste 230

BRIGHTON: 6249 Grand River Ave.

NOVI: 248.477.7020 25500 Meadowbrook Rd. · Ste 220

WWW.HEARINGSPECIALISTSOFMICHIGAN.COM

BRACES & INVISALIGN® PROVIDER FOR KIDS, TEENS, AND ADULTS

The AAO recommends that kids see an orthodontist by the age of 7 to get a head start on a lifetime of confident, healthy smiles. This spring, your whole family can take steps towards a smile they’ll love to share with:

• Free growth monitoring for children ages 5–10

• Most insurance accepted

• Affordable payment plans, including 0% APR financing

Call today to schedule your FREE virtual or in-person consultation!

Catherine Buchele M.A .

Melissa Kosky AuD

Kristin VanParys AuD

Lynlee Moore AuD Lindsay Wall AuD

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Inspiration for your best local life.

Exclusive giveaways.

Hidden gem alert!

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Local content by local creators.

Inside scoop on all things local.

The Kingsley Hotel 39475 Woodward Avenue Bloomfield Hills MI 48304

April 27, 2023 at 6:00pm (Food and Beverage provided)

R.S.V.P. by April 21, 2023

Robyn Crewdson at 248-341-0596 (voice or text) or email robyn@famigliawealth.net to reserve your spot

Is your child struggling in school, especially with reading? Did the COVID isolation make it worse?

The reason may be that their brain isn’t allowing their eyes to track properly.

We can help! We can measure how your child’s eyes are tracking and how their brain is seeing images on a page. Then based on the exams, create an innovative plan to have your child improve 1-2, even 3 grade levels in weeks.

RightEye Reading EyeQ™ Testing Post-Care Test Results

Pre-Care Test Results

“My 4th grade son is very smart, but he seemed to struggle with reading. He was slower than his peers and we noticed he was getting stories he read all mixed up. We brought him to Chiropractic Lifestyle Studio and discovered that his eyes were tracking & skipping all over the page. He was taking so long because he had to constantly go back and re-read words.

His first test he was a LEVEL ONE reader and after two weeks of treatment he moved up to LEVEL TWO with huge improvement with eye tracking and comprehension. For the first time in his life he is enjoying reading!”

https://portal.righteye.io/#/viewReadingEyeQ?assessmentId=5aba5514-5395-4ccd-b460-c04c5b782483&report=readingeyeq

One-Stop Shop

ARTICLE BY LYNNE KONSTANTIN

Kristi Karimpour has a passion for color, art history — and working with people.

While studying at Oakland University, she began working with her then-future husband Kamran Karimpour at Woven Treasures Oriental Rugs in Birmingham, while also falling in love with Persian and Oriental rugs, inspiring her to become a certified rug appraiser.

“Clients would come to us with an empty room, wanting to start with a rug then work around it,” Karimpour says. “I began helping clients not only select a rug, but also with other resources and industry connections to complete their entire project.” The couple expanded their business to include Maison Furniture, Rugs and Design, offering furniture, accessories and complete interior design.

Soon after, in 2008, the pair expanded further, creating Birmingham Design Studio ( birminghamdesignstudio.com), a one-stop shop for everything home design. The studio offers unlimited options for high-end furniture, rugs, upholstery, custom draperies and window treatments, fine art and

more — extending far beyond their vast Birmingham showroom. Additionally, Karimpour and her team of in-house design experts are known for their willingness to help clients as much or as little as they want, offering services ranging from help choosing pieces, finishes and textiles to space planning, makeovers and staging.

“We can help our clients from the blueprints through final accessorizing — or anything in between,” Karimpour says. “We have developed a network of builders and other tradespeople to complement our extensive selection of products and services.” Under Karimpour’s guidance, her team works closely in collaboration with clients to help empower them and draw out their individual aesthetic.

TOP 5 TRENDS TO TRY

Kristi Karimpour’s goal with clients is to help them realize their individual style. Here, she tells the Top 5 current design trends that can help add a jolt of refresh to your home.

1. STRONGER COLORS: “We are using a lot of stronger colors in our recent projects,” Karimpour says. “Whether it’s a deep rich wall color, or pops of bright color, color is back! Current favorites are emerald green, hot pink, teal blue and purple.”

2. JUXTAPOSITION: “Opposites attract! Mixing opposing styles and textures creates visual interest with contrast. Dropping sleek modern furniture into classic architecture creates a timeless blend of new and old. Change up your art by using a detailed carved wood frame on a stark contemporary oil painting to freshen it up.”

Interior designer Kristi Karimpour tells 2023's top design trends.

3. WALLPAPER: “Wallpaper on the walls and/or ceilings adds texture and design to any project,” Karimpour says. “Wallpaper incorporates color and texture to add richness to any room. To really change things up, add an interesting wallpaper to the back of your bookcase or cabinet to pop your displays.”

4. FUNCTIONALITY AND MAXIMIZATION OF SPACE: “Use every inch of space,” she says. “Convert small nooks and crannies to usable space whenever possible. Whether adding a few shelves for display or storage, or reworking an existing closet, creative space planning can help you better utilize your home.”

5. DURABLE FINISHES AND FABRICS: “Your home is made to be lived in! Wherever possible, we make sure that the materials we are using are made to be used,” Karimpour says. “With so many fabrics on the market with protective coatings available, you don’t have to worry about family-friendly furniture. Many companies offer durable top coats for their wood products as well.”

GET INSPIRED EAT & DRINK SHOP LOCAL

ARTICLE BY HALEY WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASSANDRA CASTANEDA

The Well-Stocked Bar

Having a home bar is cool. It is, however, not cool if the only thing you can offer guests is a couple of dusty bottles of liquor that have been there for years. What you have in your home bar can make or break your gathering, however informal it may be. A well-rounded bar should include at least one bottle of each of the six base liquors, which are the foundation for the majority of cocktails. Stocking a nice selection of these will ensure you can mix up almost any cocktail on a whim. If you feel like a whiskey cocktail tonight, you’ll be ready. When a guest asks for a brandy, gin, rum or tequila-based libation, you’ll be prepared to grab your shaker and mix up a drink.

VODKA

Vodka has a clean, transparent flavor and is used for more cocktails than any other distilled spirit. Stock at least one “fifth” bottle of vodka, but opt for a handle (1.75 liters) if you like to entertain.

• A good solid option like Titos is ideal for tall drinks like the screwdriver and bloody mary.

• If you enjoy a vodka martini, spend a little extra for a top-shelf bottle as well.

• Consider stocking a couple of flavored vodkas. In a traditional bar, citrus and vanilla vodkas are the trusted standbys.

suggested glassware:

Everything you need to know to create a breathtaking in-home bar

RUM

A well-stocked bar has at least two bottles of rum.

• A light rum will be your workhorse for most cocktails, from the tropical daiquiri to the timeless mojito.

• As a secondary rum, take your pick of aged, dark or spiced rum.

suggested glassware:

GIN

Gin can be quite floral and botanical depending on the brand, since it is made from very botanicalforward juniper berries.

• If you aren’t an aficionado, a good bottle of a London dry gin is recommended. This is the most versatile and can work in everything from a gin and tonic to a dry martini.

• From there, you can get adventurous - every brand is different and a wide array of flavors is available.

suggested glassware:

TEQUILA

Tequila’s quality can vary drastically, so make sure to test them out before purchasing. It’s the key to the ever-loved margarita, though there are other fascinating tequila cocktails to explore as well. Generally, you’ll want to stock at least one nice tequila.

• The most versatile style is blanco (or silver) tequila, and it’s the best option for a one-tequila bar.

• For a little upgrade, add a slightly aged reposado as well.

suggested glassware:

WHISKEY

This is where things get complicated. Each whiskey has its own style and characteristics. In general, two bottles are a good start - but you can always add more.

• For the most versatility, stock a bourbon and Canadian whisky. The bourbon will give you that robust whiskey flavor and the Canadian blends tend to be very smooth.

• Rye whiskey is a great choice for everyday mixed drinks. Though some drinkers find it too spicy, rye is excellent in almost any cocktail that calls for a generic whiskey. If you enjoy classic cocktails, give rye a try for an authentic taste.

• A bottle of Irish whiskey and a decent blended scotch are good complements to any bar. While they make excellent cocktails, they’re not as common or as versatile as the other styles.

suggested glassware:

WHERE TO STOCK YOUR BAR:

We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite local shops.

• Birmingham Wine Shop 798 N Old Woodward Ave., Suite B Birmingham Birminghamwineshop.com

• Tangerine Wine Co. 32731 Franklin Rd.  Franklin Tangerinewine.com

LIQUEURS

• Elie Wine Company 1601 14 Mile Rd. Birmingham Eliewine.com

• ML Spirits 33644 Woodward Ave. Birmingham Mlspirits.com

• Old Woodward Cellar 912 S. Old Woodward, Suite 100 Birmingham Oldwoodwardcellar.com

• Plum Market 3675 West Maple Road Bloomfield Twp. Plummarket.com

Liqueurs are often used as flavoring agents that define a cocktail. On occasion, they are the only distilled spirits in a drink. Liqueurs come in every flavor you could want and a bottle can last quite a long time. Start with the basics and gradually add to your stock as you see fit. Amaretto: The almond-flavored liqueur is used in both fancy and casual cocktails.

• Coffee Liqueur: White Russians and countless other cocktails rely on a bottle like Kahlúa.

• Dry and Sweet Vermouth: Technically, these are fortified wines, but they’re essential for martinis.

• Irish Cream Liqueur: Baileys is a popular brand, though there are others worth checking out. You can also stock another cream liqueur, such as RumChata instead.

• Orange Liqueur: Used in countless cocktails, this one’s invaluable. Options include curaçao, triple sec, Cointreau, and Grand Marnier.

• The Wine Guy 1932 S. Telegraph Rd. Bloomfield Hills Thewineguystore.com suggested glassware:

A wine bar features integrated lighting with wine pegs to display favorite bottles. The countertop is Chroma, a back-lit resin; the back panel above the counter countertop is back-painted glass.

Cleanup CLOSET

Since opening their first California Closets Michigan (californiaclosets.com/ michigan) showroom 35 years ago, Ray and Sheilah Markham have not only grown their business — they’ve grown their family.

Sheilah started out as a salesperson with California Closets Connecticut, while Ray, who had a background in sales, played pro hockey with the New York Rangers. When presented with the opportunity to open a franchise in Michigan, they embarked on new careers with the high-quality personalized storage solutions company.

Adding to their locations in Troy and Birmingham, the couple recently opened a 30,000-square-foot flagship showroom and design studio in Wixom, which also houses a production facility with a dedicated team of engineers.

With the newest launch, the next generation of the family is taking the reins of the legacy their parents built: Siblings Ray Markham, Jr., and Jenna Wittbrodt bring backgrounds in finance and sales and design, respectively, to the family business. Below, meet the newest members of the family — who offer their takes on getting organized.

BIRMINGHAM CITY LIFESTYLE: Tell us about yourselves.

JENNA WITTBRODT: I’m married and live in Milford with 2-year-old and 3-month-old kids and a golden retriever. I have a background in marketing and film production and have worked my way through the business to become an award-winning designer and salesperson. I now oversee sales and marketing.

Ray, Jr., is married, lives in Milford with his first baby due in May! He is a CPA first with Deloitte then with a property management company. We've both helped in the business over the years. I started full-time in 2014 and Ray in in 2021.

BCL: What services do you offer?

JW: We actually are in more areas of the home than most people are aware: mudroom, pantry, home office, media center, library, garage, laundry rooms, wine bar and more. But we offer much more than a product — we ensure that our clients have an exceptional experience from start to finish, each time.

BCL: Tell me about your own home?

JW: I live in a classic country farmhouse with a wraparound porch. I like neutral with a pop of color in unique wall art and rugs. We just remodeled our mudroom with lockers and a bench — in white with black hardware. We also updated the floor to blue and antiqued white tile with star patterns.

BCL: What does your dream closet include?

JW: Lots of shoe storage and an island!

BCL: What are must-have trends right now?

JW: Mirrored and aluminum-frame doors and illuminated shelves are all hot right now. Lighting makes all the difference when it comes to making a design ‘pop.’

get organized

TIPS FROM THE PROS.

1 PLAN AHEAD. Set aside time in your schedule to get your cleaning/ decluttering projects done — uninterrupted. You'll work faster and get more done.

2 DECIDE WHERE TO DONATE. You'll inevitably unearth unwanted items, so decide in advance to whom you'll donate and schedule drop-off dates in your calendar

3 CATEGORIZE/TOSS/RELOCATE. Create a centralized space to collect and categorize the items you plan to keep. Toss or recycle items that no longer serve a purpose and relocate saved items to their rightful place in your home.

4 CREATE AND LABEL STORAGE BINS/BOXES. Gather bins or boxes to store items you plan to keep; labeling them ensures your whole family knows where items are stored (and where to put them back!).

5 MAXIMIZE SPACE.

Use hard-to-reach areas to store items you don't use frequently.

A walk-in closet with a vanity in a light-gray wood grain has ample storage for a stunning shoe collection.

To create a glam aesthetic in the walk-in closet, Wittbrodt’s team mixed mirror and glass doors. Around the window are gold-painted aluminum frame doors with an an etched-glass insert.

This entertainment center mixes underlit floating shelves and glass-covered displays.

Ray Markham, Jr., and Jenna Wittbrodt

5 Hot Trends in Kitchen Design

ARTICLE BY HALEY WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY BY J.A. STENGER PHOTOGRAPHY

A peek at what’s ahead: bold cabinet colors, statement hardware and swaths of stone.

When designing your dream kitchen, it’s important to balance timeless features with elements that reflect your personality and design aesthetic. You may not plan to remodel your kitchen each year (does anyone do that?), but that doesn’t mean there aren’t creative ways to keep your space feeling modern and fresh.

We spoke with interior designer Brooke Cover about the trends in kitchen design she’s seeing this year, touching on everything from cabinet colors and lighting to tile and countertop combos she’s loving.

TAKING THE COUNTER MATERIAL UP THE BACKSPLASH

Although the iconic subway tile backsplash is timeless in its own right, Brooke says she is seeing a big shift toward marble slab backsplashes — which add drama and depth to the kitchen. Not only is it easier to clean than tile, but a marble backsplash and countertop also sets the tone for the entire space and makes a big statement.

HIDDEN STORAGE, VISIBLE APPLIANCES

Gone are the days of it being a given to hide the fridge behind custom cabinets. Many brands of appliances are so beautiful and sleek these days, homeowners want to see them rather than hide them behind a cabinet facade. Small appliances, however, are another story. Custom cabinets and “appliance garages” aren’t going away anytime soon. Form and function make them a desirable addition to any kitchen.

Brooke’s Pro Tip:

I suggest viewing countertop slabs in person vs. a small sample piece because each slab has unique movement and colors. They are all so beautiful and works of art. Taking a trip to the warehouse will really help a client to understand the different types available and see the difference in the look of the material.

SCAN QR CODE FOR BROOKE’S FAVORITE COUNTERTOPS THIS YEAR.

WARMING UP THE WHITE

We doubt the classic white kitchen will ever completely go out of style, but trends show people are going away from the white kitchen and gray cabinets. They’re opting for white mixed with warmer wood tones, dark greens and blues. Some homeowners are mixing vintage in with the new and modern through butcher block islands or other unique cabinetry choices. Black is making a bold comeback in some kitchens, while others usher in warmth through painted islands or other darker contrast tiles in the bar area. You don’t have to leave behind the timelessness when you warm up your space if you opt for equally timeless black and wood-stained accents. If you want a quick refresh, consider adding pops of wood through cutting boards or other decor accents on countertops or open shelves.

BOLD HARDWARE

Mixed metals and sizes are having a moment in kitchens across America. Brooke says not to shy away from a variety of sizes of pulls and handles, depending on the drawer and door size. For instance, you may see a mixture of longer pulls on larger drawers and square knobs on smaller glassware cabinets - and that’s more than just ok - that’s recommended. As the heart of the home, kitchens shouldn’t feel sterile and hyper-coordinated - they should feel inviting and tailored to the space. Since no two kitchens will be exactly alike, feel free to boldly mix the hardware sizes and styles to the needs of your kitchen.

CONTRAST, CONTRAST, CONTRAST!

From painted and stained islands to dark lower cabinetry with bright white uppers and mixed lighting fixtures, contrast is the name of the game this year. You’ll see this juxtaposition between clean white and darker colors or even this year’s favorite - greens and blues - all over newly designed kitchens. You’re not breaking any rules by coordinating sculptural pendants over the kitchen island with more vintage-inspired gooseneck sconces over the standalone bar or a chandelier over the eat-in kitchen.

Whether you’re looking for a construction mortgage or a vacant lot loan, you can count on us for competitive products and trusted support. Choose from fixed or adjustable rate options. Plus, get financing that includes your construction and permanent loans all in

2565 West Maple Road, Troy

248-435-0400 | eplspc.com

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

MARCH 1ST-31ST

The Rink: Detroit

CAMPUS MARTIUS PARK

12:00 AM

The Rink at Campus Martius is open seven days a week until March 31! For more information, visit: downtowndetroit.org/ experience-downtown/things-todo/the-rink/

MARCH 1ST-31ST

Disney Animation

Immersive Experience

LIGHTHOUSE ARTSPACE

12:00 AM

Disney Animation: Immersive Experience is an innovative celebration that takes you inside the greatest films of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Imagine stepping into the Casita with Mirabel from  Encanto, being at Pride Rock as Rafiki presents Simba – surrounded by the animal kingdom as the sun rises. Now you can! For more information, visit: lighthouseimmersive.com/ disney/detroit/

MARCH 11TH, 17TH, & 18TH

Detroit Official St.

Patrick’s Bar Crawl 2023

EXODOS NIGHTCLUB & ROOFTOP | 12:00 AM

Bar Crawl LIVE! brings The Official St. Patrick’s Bar Crawl to you for the 7th year in a row! Shamrocks and shenanigans for all as we celebrate while enjoying free cover at 5+ of the best bars in Detroit while dancing to local DJs. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit:  barcrawllive.com/ crawls/2023-detroit-michigan-stpatricks-day-bar-crawl

We are a full-service probate and estate planning law firm that is local, well established, highly experienced and specializes in comprehensive and affordable estate planning to allow the client to pass his or her assets on to the heirs without the expense and hassles of probate.

962 Puritan Birmingham

Perfectly located within Quarton Lake Estates and sitting on over 1/2 acre, this 1937 built tudor is loaded with character. Gorgeous curb appeal welcomes you on the 120 foot wide lot. Beautifully updated white kitchen with Rutt cabinetry, stainless steel appliances including Sub Z refrigerator and Thermador gas stove and double ovens, granite counters, Pewabic tiled backsplash and eating nook. Formal dining room and front living room with fireplace. Four-season room with a wall of windows overlooking the yard. Cozy wood paneled office with fireplace. Barreled ceiling foyer. Primary suite with fireplace, large walk-in closet plus a cedar closet and wonderfully remodeled bath. Three other bedrooms upstairs all with renovated en suite baths. Finished rec room in basement with pecky cypress paneled walls and 4th fireplace. Roof approx 10 yrs. Replacement Marvin windows. Boiler heat and central air. New solid doors throughout. Hardwood floors. Incredibly detailed moldings and archways. Bluestone patio.

Offered at $1,750,000