04.
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-.h.-
Above: Graphic designer Dennis Larson executed the artwork, including Van Gogh murals,
Matisse-inspired appliques, and columns adorned with vintage travel posters. Free-form curves
and circular shapes distinguish the space.
,
Below: Sweet Lorraine's creative team includes project designer Howard Ellman from Dynamic
Designs Inc., Gary Sussman and Lorraine Platman, owners, Hayden Kramer, general manager
Livonia Marriott, and Stephen Sussman, architect.
is a family affair at Sweet Lorraine's Café & Bar in the Livonia
Marriott Hotel at Laurel Park Place shopping mall. Owners
Lorraine Platman and Gary Sussman relied on Sussman's brother
Stephen, of Stephen Sussman Architect + Associates, to design
the new restaurant.
"06r goal was to transform the existing generic space into an open,
free-flowing, dynamic space," says Stephen. "We used organic shapes,
curves, graphics and rich, saturated colors to create excitement and
interest."
The result is a hotel/mall restaurant, with an original, eclectic menu,
that is "lively for the breakfast crowd, sophisticated for the lunch
bunch and intimate for dinner guests," he adds.
Lorraine, Gary and Stephen had a great time working together on
the family project. "Gary and Lorraine have a wonderful design sense,"
says Stephen, "and our meetings were lots of fun."
"Sometimes it's risky to work with family, but this was great," says
Gary, the younger of the two brothers. "It was a lot more fun than
when we were kids. Stephen didn't even try to beat me up." And he
agrees that all three family members have similar tastes in design. "You
can see it in our houses," he says.
Stephen credits Hayden Kramer, the Livonia Marriott's general man-
ager, with having a clear vision for the restaurant.
"I think it conveys the essence of Sweet Lorraine's cafes," he says.
And Bill Marriott Jr. concurs. The Nlarriott hotel baron said the restau-
rant is the perfect spot for a meal any time of day.
— Linda Bachnid