Grosse Pointe, MI March 2024

THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IS THAWING...

READY TO MAKE A MOVE?

March Home Issue

Constantly, we hear from readers who keep this magazine longer than just the month labeled on the cover. They say they hold onto it as coffee table art or an accessory in their home. We feel proud to create a resource valued in our community and strive every month to deliver the value you expect.

In the past, we've touched on themes of what makes a home. It always comes back to the people and memories. In this issue, we highlight choices that go into our homes and how they define details that make every home experience unique.

Spending time overseas, especially in the Austrian Alps and Italian Dolomites, I always enjoyed Tyrolean architecture. I brought some of that back home in our dining room furniture and family room looks and colors. It brought great memories and experiences into small pieces of everyday life in our home. Choices in how we surround ourselves bring depth and history.

Grosse Pointe oozes with historic homes. We speak with Kay Agney about one such home on East Jefferson. Find out how this fantastic Normandy-style Tudor home, designed by Wallace Frost, brings history and detail along with a coin flip on its location. Check out the story, its amazing pictures, and if it could be a home for you.

One of the emotions we experience in a home is defined through the entryway. The choices of the overall look and the fine details speak to us in that first impression. We talk with Brad Benigni and Chelsea Dyer at Taylor Door about creating the best experience and asking the right questions to define the best entryway. With an exceptional showroom nearby on 9 Mile, they can guide us on the details to make your home stand out.

Also, we speak with designer Emily Dwyer. Emily works consistently with one of Michigan's elite window covering companies, Thistle Window Coverings, owned by Judy Graham. Learn about her story and how she brings design elements that fit our Grosse Pointe community.

It's all about the home. Enjoy!

Correction: The article in our January 2024 issue titled “Power Of Horses” was written by Robert Musial.

David

Paige Peabody | paige.peabody@citylifestyle.com

Sue

Sam

Dream it, we will do the rest.

IRRIGATION | CONSTRUCTION | MAINTENANCE

From ideas and thoughts to completed designs, Russell Landscaping Inc. delivers creativity, individuality, and satisfaction. We are passionate about the potential of a project and are committed to the great execution of a design that fits best for our clients. Our team concentrates on making it easier for you to achieve all of your project’s intention and ideas.

to Design

The History of a Home

ARTICLE BY SUSAN BALDANI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM BOND

16632 EAST JEFFERSON

“"Architecturally, it's just a beautiful home inside and out."

While new homes are nice, many older homes are absolutely fascinating. First, there's the history. It's always interesting to find out who built the home and lived there. Second, there are some lovely details that homes constructed today don't have. Let's delve into one of these iconic properties and discover what makes it so special.

Built in 1926, this Normandy-style Tudor home, located down a private lane at 16632 East Jefferson in Grosse Pointe Park, was designed by renowned architect Wallace Frost. Frost designed over 40 homes in and around the Metro Detroit area, at least 10 of which were in Grosse Pointe. The homes listed below span many different architectural styles, from traditional to modern, and were built between the 1920s and the 1950s.

• 242 Lewiston (1926)

• 42 Hendrie Lane (1926)

• 16632 E. Jefferson (1926)

• 16628 E. Jefferson (1927)

• 15324 Windmill Pointe (1927)

• 41 Hendrie Lane (1927)

• 157 Moross (1927)

• 75 Vendome (1929)

• 515 Lake Shore (1954)

• 280 Vincennes (1955)

According to writer Judy Rose in an article published in the Detroit Free Press, Frost was hired to build two houses on a large piece of land for Edgar Bowen and his brother Julian. Born in Detroit in 1886, Edgar Bowen graduated from the University of Michigan and later became vice president and secretary of The

Ferry-Morse Seed Company, where his father served as president.

The home is over 8,100 square feet, and the rooms are spacious. "But, even though it's large, it lives comfortably," says Kay Agney, owner of Higbie Maxon Agney Realtors® in Grosse Pointe Farms, who represents the house. "You don't feel like you're in this cavernous home. It's a very comfortable, very warm house."

Although the home has undergone many changes over the years, it retains much of its original character and some details for which Frost was known. "It has some of the most beautiful ornamental plasterwork I've ever seen," she says. "Many bathrooms still have Pewabic tile, and it's in great shape." The house has eight bathrooms in total.

(The Pewabic Pottery studio has been part of Detroit's fabric for over 120 years and is known for its iridescent glazes. This tile can be found throughout the city, including in the Guardian Building, the Detroit Public Library, the Detroit Zoo, Comerica Park, Little Caesars Arena, and QLINE stations.)

"The entire home has been beautifully maintained," says Kay. The previous owners of this home have really loved it. I am so happy to see when homeowners leave things like Pewabic tile and don't try to rip out rooms to make a big open floor plan."

While there are a lot of original details in the house, such as the crown molding in many of the rooms and limestone detailing around the front door and first-floor windows, it also has all of the modern amenities that anyone would want, such as the second-floor laundry.

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"The kitchen, of course, has been updated, and central air has been added on all three floors. The house has an elevator from the basement to the third floor." Another fun addition is the theater in the basement.

One of the really nice updates is the master bedroom with a fireplace, very beautiful updated bath and walk-in dressing room. This suite, along with four other bedrooms, is located on the second floor.

The third floor, with its 1500 square feet is a separate living area with two bedrooms, a bath, a kitchen, and a living room. It can be used as a mother-in-law suite, for a live-in nanny, or a private space for guests.

"The home also has this beautiful garden room that I'm sure is original to the house," says Kay. "It's off the dining room and is a beautiful place to sit and look at the gardens. The French doors open up to a small terrace where you see three striking large stone arches on the rear elevation.

There are great views from inside and outside the home, which has a lot of stone detail. Lovely mature trees surround the home and add to that private feel. "Architecturally, it's just a beautiful home inside and out," she says.

The home's location in Grosse Pointe Park is also a fantastic benefit. "All of the Grosse Pointes have their own private waterfront parks for residents,"

says Kay, who also lives in Grosse Pointe Parks. In Grosse Pointe Park, we have two movie theaters that show first-run movies.

"We're also within 20 minutes of downtown Detroit, so it's easy to go there for hockey or football games and visit great restaurants. We're also only minutes away from the entry into Canada, so right across the lake is another country! Most Realtors cannot claim that for a house. So while the home's location is secluded and private, you have access to all these wonderful places and things."

Higbie Maxon Agney is thrilled to represent this home. "The company has been fortunate to have been in this business in one shape or form since 1929," she says. "Most of the photos on our architectural blog come from our archives, which have

the history of most of the homes in Grosse Pointe. We love that we're able to share those with the community."

If you're interested in purchasing the home (if it's still on the market), you can contact Kay. For over 40 years, she has specialized in waterfront homes and luxury properties, primarily in the Grosse Pointes. She has also earned the professional designations of a certified residential specialist and broker. She is one of the founding directors of the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce and a past trustee for the Grosse Pointe Historical Society. She will be happy to give you a tour of this unique home.

Go to HigbieMaxon.com or call 313-8863400 to visit this or other beautiful homes for sale.

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GATEWAY TO LUXURY

Front Doors Making a Statement

A front door can define a home, and it's important for that door to fit the house in size, architecture, color, and style. Many people go into a store and choose a design they like, but once it's installed, they may be unhappy with its appearance. Or, they choose something so trendy that in five years, it will look out of date.

"Our company wants customers to have a door that's going to stand the test of time," says Taylor Door Co. VP of Sales Brad Benigni. "We want to sell them a door that in 30 years still looks classic, so the home's architecture and style really matter to us. I'm very upfront with our customers and say while you might like this style or color of the door, it's not the right choice for your home."

For example, in the early 2000s, he says everybody wanted a red door. While it may have looked great on a neighbor's house, it might not have looked right on someone else's because of the brick color or the residence's style.

The use of technology and the ability to show customers what the door will look like in their home after installation really help decision-making. "Many customers appreciate this guidance because they don't know what to choose, and there are so many options."

Brad also always asks a lot of questions, such as "Are the lines of your home straight, or do they have curves? What color are your shutters? What color is your siding?" He then shows customers various color palettes and other choices that go well with what they have.

CONTINUED >

ARTICLE BY SUSAN BALDANI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY THERMA-TRU DOORS

"Front doors are not cheap, and homeowners want to invest the money and make a statement in their home knowing that it does help its value. Many people live in 30, 60, and 70-year-old houses. In the Grosse Pointe market, we have homes a hundred years old and more."

He says consumers, regardless of the home's age or style want low maintenance. However, that can only be found with fiberglass and wrought iron steel doors. Natural wood is not a low-maintenance product, which many customers need help understanding, but it can be made in any shape or size.

On the other hand, fiberglass is maintenance-free but only comes in standard sizes. "That's where you run into a roadblock with fiberglass," he says. "If someone has a 40-inch wide door, they can only get that in wood and wrought iron. You can make it any style and size, which is important in older homes. And wood is still a more elegant product - you can paint it any color, stain it any color - it has almost every option available."

Unfortunately, the biggest downside again is the maintenance. "We live in Michigan, and it's a harsh exposure for any exterior wood product."

Another detail people like about wood and wrought iron is the weight. "People especially like wrought iron doors because those products are built like beasts. That's especially important to high-end clients."

Since fiberglass doors are inherently lighter than wood or iron doors, many manufacturers have added weight to higher-end products to give customers that same feel and experience. Fiberglass also comes with great warranties.

"Historically, wood and iron have been the cornerstones of luxury doors, and more modernly, fiberglass mimicking wood has other energy efficient options that make it a little bit more affordable with the same luxury feel," says marketing and creative developer Chelsea Dyer.

Not all fiberglass doors are made the same –there are different qualities, and homeowners

Materials

FIBERGLASS:

• Positives: Maintenance free, great warranties, holds up to harsh Michigan weather.

• Negatives: Can only be made in standard sizes.

WOOD:

• Positives: Beautiful and heavy, can be painted or stained any color, and made in any size.

• Negatives: Requires regular maintenance.

WROUGHT IRON:

Doors can be made from fiberglass, wood and wrought iron, and each one has its various benefits, and in some cases, detriments. positives

• Positives: Heavy-duty quality, can be made in any size and color.

• Negatives: Can be costly.

need to ensure they are getting the best. "Therma-Tru is our main fiberglass door supplier, and they're the largest in America," says Brad. "We are their certified install dealer for Southeast Michigan."

Privacy is another factor when choosing a door. "We offer a ton of privacy glasses, which will look nice now and in the future," he says. "When rain glass came out, it was trendy, but today it looks more old school. We have to explain to our customers that they might like what they're picking out now, but they also need to like it in 10 years."

So, what's a classic that will look good for many years to come? "Chinchilla and chord are probably our two most popular glass choices," says Brad.

He also explains that the door is only the first part of the decision-making. There are so many options when it comes to the

hinge color, the hardware, and the door knobs. "When people open a door, they're also grabbing that hardware and feeling that thickness and that lever action, which they equate with a higher-end feel." Everything needed can be found in the store's massive showroom.

Brad and the entire Taylor Door Co. team look forward to educating returning and new customers. Brad's parents, Tom and Rosemary Benigni started the company over three decades ago, and Brad has been working with them for the last 25 years. He's expected to take over ownership soon and plans to continue to offer the same high-quality merchandise, experienced installers, and diverse product offerings, including windows, for which Taylor is known.

TaylorDoorCo.com

While something trendy may look good today, it’s important to choose designs and colors that will look great for years to come. It should also fit with the style and architecture of your home. Glass panels are still popular, but rain glass is out.

Chinchilla and chord are classics that will stand the test of time. Red doors go in and out of style and don’t complement every house. When making decisions, take advantage of technology to be able to see exactly what your door will look like on your own house. Get experienced and knowledgeable input when choosing a front door so you’re happy with the end result today and in the future.

THISTLE WINDOW COVERINGS

designing DREAMS

BY EMILY DWYER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HD DRONE, JAY RISNER

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THIS PROFESSION?

My love and passion for design. Combining colors, patterns, and personality to create something cohesive.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DESIGN STYLE?

Believe it or not, I don’t have a favorite design style. I appreciate and love a well-balanced design. To me, that means a blend of traditional and modern, creating the most interesting and unique aesthetic.

FROM WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR DESIGN INSPIRATION?

I get inspired by the home itself while also pulling from my client’s

needs, personality, and style to inspire me. Both big things and little things can inspire an entire room. I have gotten inspiration from big things such as the seasons, nature, a beautiful sunset, opera houses, and little things such as sunglasses, fabric, or a twoinch tile.

WHEN DESIGNING A ROOM, WHAT IS THE MOST ESSENTIAL FACTOR FOR YOU?

That is a tough question; I have to consider many important factors: The scale, the lighting, the style of the home, the function of the room, the existing bones, and the client’s needs are all exceptionally thought out. But ultimately, my client is the most important; without their communication, trust, and a common goal between us, nothing great can

be accomplished. I love to make my clients happy, and I love seeing our vision come to life; I find the whole process very rewarding

TRENDING DESIGN FOR 2024?

The 2024 trends are an eclectic mix. Moody walls or wallpaper that tells a story are trending. Layered looks for window treatments, natural fabrics embellished and embroidered with trims, buttons, and leather, natural stone wherever you can, mid-toned woods, and endless curves and arches in furniture and architecture. 2024 is about finding your niche, blending old and new, and daring to be different and bold. If this all seems a bit overwhelming or intimidating, I’m here to help.

Emily Dwyer, Facebook Page: @dwyer.design.2024