The bedrooms and baths were created with comfort in mind for the homeowners, their family and friends after a day on the beach, on a boat, or hiking in the nearby woods. While each room has a spectacular view of woods or water, each also offers a soothing place to retreat.
AÂ beautifully paneled library in an older traditional home has an updated classic look. The four-cube style ottomans can be moved about and used for various purposes. Out of view of the camera is a fireplace and a large tv screen.
A Gentlemen's Sitting Room, adjacent to the Master Bedroom, created for a Detroit Symphony Show House in the Boston Edison Neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan. Chocolate lacquer walls provide a rich, dramatic background for the tailored, sophisticated furnishings for this Gentlemen's Sitting Room.
With breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, a natural stone fireplace and the client's pottery and art collections, this room is comfortably inviting. Photo by: Jeff Garland
With breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, this Northern Michigan vacation home is comfortably inviting during all four seasons of the year. The clients’ pottery and art collections were enhanced by the natural elements of stone, clay tiles and wood used throughout the home. The rooms were designed with a view to the outside but with comfortable gathering places for friends and family of primary importance as well.
This closeup of a dramatic, sophisticated Living Room in a large traditional home illustrates what a wonderful background color can do to enhance a beautiful piece of original art.
This comfortable sitting room provides space for reading and TV viewing on the second floor of the owner's home. A small bedroom was converted into this cozy room. The homeowner's Native American rug provided the inspiration for the design.
This charming English style home, built in the 1920's, has beautiful woodwork, floors and windows. It has been enhanced with the addition of sumptuous fabrics, handmade rugs and comfortable furnishings built around the clients' extensive art collection. The large family kitchen was created from five smaller rooms and is now a focal point of the home.
Blues, reds and warm yellows enliven this home with charm and character. Inspired by the client's love of Provence, the traditional furnishings and accessories provide a casually elegant environment for the homeowner and her guests.
The outdoor spaces, which will serve as gathering places for family and friends, were designed with the views of Lake Michigan as the focus. Comfort and durability were also major factors with teak and all weather wicker furniture and indoor-outdoor fabrics being selected for the porch and decks. Weather proof roll-up blinds protect the porch in inclement weather.
The reflective wallpaper, glass top table and glass cabinet, silver chandelier and wall sconces all help create a shimmering effect in this dining room day and night.
"Making Merry in Marrakesh" was the theme of this vignette created for the Ghiordes Knot Showroom by Urso Designs, Inc. for the Michigan Design Center's "Celebrations 2012" event.
Marrakesh, Morocco in northern Africa has been referred to as "a mirage in a sea of palm trees " because of its saturated colors, intricate designs, striking architecture, and multi-cultural influences. Years ago, the women of Morocco spurred a movement that resulted in them gaining long-sought freedoms in 2004 which Urso Designs envisioned them celebrating with a meal under a beautiful canopy surrounded by sumptuous fabrics, handmade rugs and elegant furnishings
The Living Room and Dining Room were designed around a wonderful inherited art collection that was both meaningful and dramatic. In addition, the rooms had to be user friendly for a family with two teenage girls and many friends.
This photo by Jeff Garland is of a sunroom that was added to a 100-year-old home. Out of view are sliding doors that open up onto a large wrap around deck. The room is comfortable year round. Its relaxed ambiance is conducive to morning coffee or evening cocktails, reading and good conversation.
The interior of the home was designed with the outdoors in mind. The soothing blues and greens complement the extraordinary views seen from each room in the home. If not looking at the beach and Lake Michigan, one is viewing the beautiful trees that surround the property.
This Garden Room when opened in the Spring signals that the warmer weather has arrived as it is not a year-round room. It has a wonderful view of the beautifully landscaped yard and is protected from the elements so can be enjoyed rain or shine. The comfortable dining chairs allow for lingering over meals on summer evenings.
This sophisticated Living Room was designed for a husband and wife who love the arts and enjoy a dramatic and elegant home. The deep red walls, and tangerine, eggplant and magenta accents create a warm, comfortable setting for entertaining or enjoying a quiet glass of wine in the evening.
This charming fish market was transformed by creating a clean, watery interior that evokes the sea. The tiles, in various shades of blue, provide a backdrop for the icy bins displaying fresh seafood. The subtle but integral lighting enhances the sunshine that usually pours through the windows of this market situated on the water in Matlacha, Florida.
This room, designed for an imaginary young urban couple who loves to entertain in their chic, sophisticated loft, was actually a vignette created in the Baker, Knapp & Tubbs Showroom at the Michigan Design Center in Troy, Michigan. It was one of twelve vignettes created for a March Madness event called "Design 2 Ways." This room was voted by the public as "The Room of My Dreams" and was, subsequently, written up in an article by Susan Pollack in the "Homestyle" Section of the Detroit News.