Arlene Cohen and Robbie Segel
of Innovative Interiors turn
a subdued condo into a dramatic
home with vivid colors.
SP'
Vibrant colors dominate the room which
includes a wet bar and luxurious sofas and
chaises. (Photo assistant: Marsha
Sundquist.)
e love using color and are thrilled when clients are open to
the concept of living with it," says Arlene Cohen, ASID of
Innovative Interiors in West Bloomfield.
"Many people use beige because it is safe and won't detract
from their art and surroundings," adds her partner, Robbie
Segel, allied ASID. 'We think of beige as the color of fear.
It's for people who can't commit to living with color in fabrics. But you
can have both — color is not limiting when manipulated properly."
Naturally, both designers were eager to accept the challenge of cre-
ating a fresh start for a client who wanted an entirely new approach to his
surroundings, including more color.
"I had lived in a large traditional home and moved into an apartment
following my divorce," explains this busy Oakland county attorney. "I
knew I wanted a condo with a contemporary feeling, and I wanted to use
color. Arlene designed my office and created a warm atmosphere that I
wanted duplicated in my home. I think she's successful because she gets
in tune with her clients. I wanted it sophisticated but comfortable."
"Good communication and knowing your client's needs are the ma-
jor ingredients to successful design," Ms. Cohen says.
Making life more interesting for the designers, midway through this
job, the client remanled and the focus changed from working with a sin-
gle man to incorporating his wife's influence. "They both wanted com-
fort, but her taste is a little softer than his," says Ms. Cohen.
In addition to liking the layout, the owner selected the year-old Bloom-
field Hills condo because it was centrally located. Since it needed no struc-
tural changes, he gave the designer a fairly free hand in her suggestions.
"I wanted things with character and I didn't want everything match-
ing," he explained. 'The only thing I insisted on was the fish tank."
Upon entering the condo, one notices the striking front door, designed
by local glass artist, Janet Kelman. On the white and gray marble foyer
floor sits a custom colored gray, purple and green abstract wool area rug
from Israel that was the inspiration for the condo's design. "We found
BY SUSAN WEINGARDEN
PHOTOGRAPHS BY GLENN TRIEST
STYLE • SPRING 1993.21
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