33 michigandesign.com were introduced to interior designer Laura Zender through a mutual friend. Getting Zender involved early in the project allowed her to work with the builder to create a better flow through the original home and incorporate thoughtful details into the new addition. One big change involved moving the kitchen to the front of the home. The dark tone used in the kitchen over the range was repeated on the door and window trim in the family room to unite the two spaces and to frame the view. The sloped ceiling and angular light fixture in the kitchen inspired the triangular opening into the mudroom. The move was risky – she knew the family would need to mind the view – so she incorporated plenty of storage and organization to keep things tidy. All in all, the project took a year to complete. A thorough “refresh” of the home’s basement allowed the family to stay on site during the renovation. Designers can fill many roles during a large renovation. In addition to selecting colors, materials, and finishes, in some cases, a good designer will also act as “bad cop” with tradespeople, allowing the homeowners to keep a peaceful relationship with those working in the home. TOP | The marble backsplash tile has worn corners that create a star pattern when laid in a grid pattern, a nod to the home’s midcentury origins. Tile: Virginia Tile, Suite 100. BOTTOM | Plenty of storage was added to the mudroom, keeping the view from the kitchen tidy. OPPOSITE PAGE | Zender says kitchen design is very personal. Because her clients love to cook, she added lots of wide drawers in place of standard base cabinets. Open shelves add warmth and interest. Tile: Virginia Tile, Suite 100.
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