DISCOVER
QUIET MOMENTS

Italian Flavor

New furnishings venture bears
Nusbaum imprint.

Ed Nakfoor

Special to the Jewish News

T

he Italian aesthetic is strong
and deep. It permeates the
everyday and the extraor-
dinary. And it's this zest for
life, for the good life, really, that also
is finding its way into more and more
of our homes.
Indeed, a singular approach to
home interiors, specifically the form
and function of cabinetry and furni-
ture for kitchen and bath, bedroom
and office, is just as much a part of
the elegant Italian eye.
So it's no surprise that the new
Berloni America showroom in Troy is
a tribute to the clean lines and rich
finishes for which Italian furniture in
general, and Berloni in particular, is
known.
Located across the street from the
Michigan Design Center, the low-
slung, contemporary, 15,000-square-
foot Berloni America headquarters
showcases the most comprehensive
selection of Berloni products in the
country. It features 15 kitchen, living
room, bedroom and bathroom dis-
plays, as well as office suites, state-
ment-making armchairs and sofas,
and chic home accessories.
A joint venture between Franklin
resident Rob Nusbaum and Roberto
Berloni, general director of Berloni
S.p.A., Berloni America was estab-
lished earlier this year to make the
buying of Italian kitchens and furni-
ture more affordable and accessible
through a network of licensed dealers
around the country.
In Michigan, Berloni products are
retailed through DeGiulio Kitchen
and Bath in Birmingham; there are
a dozen authorized dealers coun-
trywide, with between 30 and 40
expected by year's end.
Although the Troy showroom is
open only to the trade, architects,
builders and designers may bring in
their clients to work with a Berloni
design specialist and to see the prod-
ucts up close. The Berloni difference:
the finest hardwoods and metals;
exquisite hardware; thoughtful place-
ment of drawers and shelves; richly
upholstered, hand-stitched seating
that is neither stiff or quick to lose its

Your time is precious, and you deserve a special space that welcomes
peace and relaxation. Gittleman makes it SIMPLE, AFFORDABLE,
EFFORTLESS to create the haven of your dreams.

For a complimentary in-home consultation, call (248) 538-5400.

GITTLEMAN

CONSTRUCTION inc

Fine Renovations & Expansions Since 1978

Robert Nusbaum has teamed with
Roberto Berloni.

shape; colors and finishes that are
timeless rather than trendy, elegant
without being intimidating.
In fact, Nusbaum says design pro-
fessionals from New York, Boston and
Atlanta, among other cities, are paying
regular visits to his showroom.
As for the timing of the opening,
and making Metro Detroit its base
of operations, Nusbaum shrugs off
skepticism.
"People say it was pretty gutsy of
us to open now and in Michigan,"
Nusbaum says, explaining that it
came down to smart business.
He adds, "The cost to do business
here is far less than in other cities,
the region is accessible from major
cities and it's important for the corn-
munity to invest in itself."

28580 ORCHARD LAKE RD., SUITE 102 FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334

www.gittleman.net

NEW CABINETRY
SHOWROOM

Medal&am!
CABINETRY

an ELKAY company

1337350

In celebration of Tel-Aviv 100 years

.S M 'a:•? a

From Retail Roots

Nusbaum, who is also president of
Farmington Hills-based JARC, which
serves developmentally challenged
people, learned the retail trade while
working in the family business, New
York Carpet World, which, at one
time, was the largest carpet retailer in
the country. His experience — he was
the firm's executive vice president
— expertise and interest in home fur-
nishings made for a perfect fit when
the concept of bringing Berloni to the
United States was first brought to his
attention as a potential investment
opportunity a few years ago.
"After studying Berloni's business
model, I saw the potential for their
product and worked to secure the
national distribution rights," Nusbaum
said.
ITALIAN FLAVOR on page B8

We shall have a show and sale
of Tel-Aviv artists

Friday
Saturday

June 19, 12-5pm
June 20, 12-5pm

Danielle Peleg Gallery

4301 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 145
West Bloomfield, Michigan 48322

tel 248.626.5810
daniellepeleggallerx.co,
•

IN

June 18 2009

B7