SUMMER PLEASURES
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A bed and breakfast in Commerce Township
recalls a romantic era. MARCIA DANNER
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
T
he Victorian Rose Bed
& Breakfast in Oakland
County's lakes area re-
creates the gracious
style of the 19th century. What
was an unassuming, 1880s gray
farmhouse on Sleeth Road in
Commerce Township has been
transformed into a rose-colored
country home, where Shirley and
Bill Newbold welcome guests
looking for a respite from urban
life.
The farmhouse was built in
1883 by John T. Sudgen, whose
family had been one of the origi-
nal settlers in the Bogie Lake area
of Commerce Township. His
daughter, Roy, and her husband,
Frank J. Malcolm, moved into the
home in 1908. Later, the Mal-
colms sold the farm portion,
which became the Mount Royal
Subdivision.
With the exception of the
kitchen, which was updated in
the art-deco style, the house re-
tained its Victorian character
when it was remodeled in 1929.
The property remained in the Sug-
den-Malcolm family until 1977,
when the Hickock family pur-
chased the house. They upgrad-
ed the electrical and plumbing,
redecorated in country style and
preserved the late Victorian ar-
chitectural detail. The house re-
ceived the Commerce Township
Historic Preservation Award in Although it took some
1989.
neighbors a while to get
When the Newbolds bought used to the pale rose color and
the house in 1992, they decid- two-tone trim, most find the new
ed to carry out the Victorian look charming.
theme and create a gracious, yet
To convert the house into a
relaxing atmosphere. "We want- comfy bed and breakfast, the
ed our guests to experience some- Newbolds took out the commer-
thing different than what they cial grade carpet that had been a
would find in their own homes," practical necessity in the former
says Shirley.
child-centered household. They
The stenciled rose patterns that refinished the wood floors and
had been meticulously painted on purchased Oriental rugs.
the walls inspired Shirley and Bill
The only other major remod-
to name their bed and breakfast eling was the guest bathroom.
the "Victorian Rose."
They enlarged the space and re-
For the exterior, they wanted placed an aging tub with a
something eye-catching in the Jacuzzi. Although most of the
"painted lady" Victorian tradition. hardwood furnishings are an-
Left: The exterior of this Commerce
Township bed and breakfast is painted
rose to evoke a Victorian atmosphere.
Below: The bedroom features lace
curtains, velvet drapings and a cozy
comforter.
tiques, the upholstered pieces are
Ethan Allen reproductions. A de-
signer helped Shirley pick out pe-
riod fabrics and patterns for the
upholstery and window treat-
ments. The parlor and library win-
dows are adorned with lace
curtains and brocade drapes and
tassels.
The guests also have access to
the dining room, with its laced-
covered breakfast table, and an
enclosed porch with wicker fur-
niture.
The owners have ample space
in their private quarters, which
includes a study with modem of-
fice equipment.
VICTORIAN page 72
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$71