home >> at home

lying

Easy

h.-

Traditional bones blend
with modern details
to create a stunningly
comfortable family home
in Birmingham.

Lynne Konstantin I Design Writer
Brett Mountain I Photographer

W

e loved the guts of this home:' says its owner. "The structure was
everything we wanted:'
An open layout, with each room flowing into the next, lots
of natural light and organic architectural detailing are typical of the work
of architect Alex Bogaerts, founder and president of Alexander V. Bogaerts
+ Associates in Bloomfield Hills, who teamed with the late builder Douglas
Derochen to create the Birmingham home almost 15 years ago.
It just happens that Derochen was a good friend of the homeowners, and
when the Birmingham home became available nine years ago, the Jewish fam-
ily snatched it up. "It was eight houses away from the house we lived in:' says
the homeowner.
A few years ago, she went on Temple Israel's annual house tour and fell in
love with the work of designer Richard Ross, who had a home featured on
the tour. "I knew what I wanted, and he was it:' says the homeowner. "After
working with him, I found out that in addition to his talent, he has incredible
integrity I loved working with him:'
Ross, celebrating his 10th year as owner and designer of Richard Ross
Designs in Royal Oak, transformed the house into a sophisticated yet welcom-
ing oasis, where the parents could entertain in style and their children could
hang in comfort.
"We wanted a house where all the kids would want to come, and they do.
And we wanted it to be welcoming to our friends when we entertain, which
we do often:' says the homeowner.
"The house has a traditional feel to it, which appealed to the homeowners:'
says Ross. "But they also like more modern and contemporary things so it
became a mix of both of these styles:'
The result is welcoming to everyone.

The home's foyer, living room

and dining room flow into one

large room so, to lend a sense

of intimacy, Ross carved out

the family room with a sisal

rug the size of the whole room.

He had the long-broken dra-

matic central fireplace repaired

so it was usable and added a

floating glass screen for extra

sparkle. Details like a luxe

striped silk- and velvet-cov-

ered side chair and the gentle

curves of an oval coffee table

soften the formal room. The

handsome Ralph Lauren bar,

which stretches into the dining

room, anchors a custom nine-

piece Deco-style mirror with

beveled edges and a floating

frame, which is pieced together

like jewelry.

❑

Do you have a home you'd like to share with the community? Contact Lynne Konstantin at lkonstantin@thejewishnews.com .

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March 14 • 2013