Left: The dome-shaped, stained glass ceiling is the focus of the kitchen. Its pattern features the trillium flower, one of the forest flowers indigenous to northern Michigan. The bronze and crystal chandelier is ornamented with glass garden flowers. Top: I selected a floral print for the Merillats’ bedcover, with the peony as the main flower against a neutral gold background. Stripes are one of my favorite decorating common denominators: They go with everything. Not only do they work in all types of fabric, they work especially well on a wall when hanging artwork. Above: Attention to detail is my trademark. This antique, once-derelict settee with matching chairs was reconditioned with aqua-blue chenille, chartreuse-green trim, and black sixinch bullion fringe. I found the pieces in an Upstate New York antiques barn one summer weekend. I placed them in Mrs. Merillat’s private den just off the drawing room, where we hung a painting of a little girl looking out the window. Right: An oval-shaped table was custom-made for the kitchen dining area to give a formal look to the room. The kidneyshaped sofas by Kindel are in loveseat dimensions, seating two, and are upholstered in the same Rhododendron fabric used on the club chairs in the adjoining drawing room.
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