When Ruth Casper, owner and principal designer of Ruth Casper Design Studio in Troy, accepted an assignment to refresh and renovate a 1990s-built home in Rochester, she was excited to design a new interior reflecting the interests and personalities of the homeowners while embracing the home’s private lot and surrounding nature.
The Michigan Design Center-based designer explains, “The clients built the home over 30 years ago and had never done any renovations, nor had they ever worked with an interior designer. Their children are now grown, and they needed a refresh for the next season of life.
“I always work with a client and their budget,” she continues. “When it comes to refreshing a house, it’s possible to do it successfully by incorporating items or furniture that work for a family and keeping budget-consciousness in mind.”
Casper notes that the biggest challenge, especially on the main level, was to reduce any inconvenience to the homeowners, since they lived in the residence during the renovation process. The project included the home’s first floor, lower level, and a second-floor bathroom. On the first floor, the new design features a lively palette of blue, green, and yellow, with bold selections of wallpaper, patterns, textures, and accents that enhance the natural outdoor views.
PATTERN PLAY – From cheerful green plaid wallpaper surrounding the fireplace to the whimsical forest scene in the dining room and a floral print on the ceiling of the guest room, designer Ruth Casper masterfully tied together the colors of the main floor.
In addition to updated furnishings, the family room redesign includes new fireplace millwork painted blue, which showcases the ceiling height and creates a striking focal point. The other side of the double-sided fireplace is a refreshed sitting area that’s part of the kitchen.
At the owners’ request, Casper worked the kitchen fireplace’s original green tile into the updated design, adding cheerful green plaid wallpaper, shelves, and new window treatments. She replaced an unused loveseat with two swivel chairs, to create a relaxing space the homeowners enjoy often. The kitchen retained its original cabinets and countertops.
The dining room was revitalized with fresh paint, wallpaper, and curtains, while keeping the family’s light fixture and heirloom dining set.
Both half-bathrooms on the first floor received special attention. The powder room near the kitchen features cheery geometric lemon wallpaper. “The owners just love what’s called ‘the happy bathroom’ — it’s one of my favorites, too,” Casper reveals.
The guest bathroom off the foyer embraces nature with saturated pine-green walls and floral wallpaper on the ceiling (“the fifth wall”) that Casper says ties together all the colors of the main level. While the original countertop was maintained, the room’s refashioning gives it a rich, dramatic vibe.
“The main floor came out so lovely, but the biggest transformation was in the lower level,” the designer says. “It was fun infusing so much personality into this space.”
The unfinished lower level was reimagined into 1,300 square feet of finished space full of function and playfulness. The new entertaining hub has an open-concept floor plan with places for gathering, as well as specific areas for a wet bar, game table, gym, bathroom, and children’s play spot. A home office for the husband was located behind a basketweave barn door for privacy.
“The sectional sitting area is so warm and cozy, especially in the winter, with the addition of an electric stone fireplace and his-and-her couches,” Casper says.
In the lower level, Casper was able to successfully integrate the family’s personality through color and their collections and interests. A vintage Olympics poster from their son’s collection inspired the palette of blues and greens, and the moody blue bathroom. Authentic orange seats and architectural blueprint wallpaper from Tiger Stadium create a bright and nostalgic spot for the Detroit baseball fans.
A Place for Everyone
The unfinished lower level was reimagined into 1,300 square feet of finished space full of function and playfulness. The new entertaining hub has an open-concept floor plan with gathering spaces, as well as specific areas for a wet bar, game table, gym, bathroom, and children’s play spot.
The lower level also features six Hidden Mickeys — a subtly inserted representation of Mickey Mouse hidden in unexpected places. This playful element was added at the request of the homeowners’ daughter.
Another whimsical and playful element is the poppy flowerbox found outside the under-the-staircase play area. “The poppies in the flower box mimic the poppies in the nearby doorway curtain,” the designer says, adding, “There’s space for everyone in the lower level. With the open-concept design, everyone can be together but have individual space at the same time. It creates connection.
“I love the way the renovation makes the homeowners smile. They have beautiful multi-use, multifunctional spaces to live in, entertain in and enjoy. They can have friends and family over and make memories. There’s real joy in this home.” 
B E H I N D T H E D E S I G N
PRINCIPAL DESIGNER
Ruth Casper, Ruth Casper Design Studio,
Michigan Design Center, Troy,
ruthcasperdesign.com
Project Contributors
Contractor: Euro Concepts, Shelby Township
Custom Office Door: Woodcraft Construction, Davison
Flooring: McLeod Carpet One, Bloomfield Hills
Painter: Somerset Painting, Bloomfield Hills
Sonoma Tilemakers Hustle Jive in Vouge
Beaver Tile & Stone, Michigan Design Center, Troy,
beavertile.com, michigandesign.com, sonomatilemakers.com
“So many intentional design elements were considered in designing the lower-level bathroom, which was inspired by a 1972 Munich Olympics poster,” Casper says. “Building off elements of water, the tile selection tells that story by incorporating a blue backsplash tile with soft, rounded edges that resembles lapping water.”
Prestige Mills Deerfield Rug in Lapis
McLeod Carpet One, Bloomfield Hills, mcleodcarpetonebloomfieldhills.com
“This carpet was selected to be the initial indication of pattern and texture to the lower level,” Casper notes. “When the clients or guests open the door to enter the lower level, this playful and energetic pattern invites them down the steps and sets the tone of the design. The deep-blue hue is incorporated into each subsequent space. It’s the material that sets the stage for what’s to come.”
Lee Jofa Hazelwood Print in Green
Kravet | Lee Jofa | Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy, kravet.com, michigandesign.com
“Wallpaper on the ceiling — what a unique way to bring attention to the fifth wall in the room! Powder rooms are perfect places to stretch design ideas,” designer Ruth Casper says.
Cayucos Series Contemporary 8-inch Widespread Faucet
California Faucets, calfaucets.com
“Faucet designs have abundant options, allowing designers to bring elements of color and texture beyond just metal faucets. Our design objective was to layer all of the components of the bathroom to creative a cohesive harmony. Adding blue to the faucet levers gives this bathroom the extra interest that has guests commenting on its uniqueness — small element, big impact!”
Cole & Son Arance in Lemon/Seafoam
Kravet | Lee Jofa | Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy, kravet.com, michigandesign.com
“Playful and joyful, this lemon print wallpaper turns a hard working mudroom bath into an instant mood lift. It feels both whimsical and chic, and it delivers a bright, happy welcome.”
Sand Onyx Tile
Phillips Collection, phillipscollection.com
“The color of the tile is just the right counterpoint to the cool, forested depth of Benjamin Moore’s Silver Pine on the surrounding walls,” Casper says. “Together, the pairing reads collected and refined.”
GP & Baker Mulberry Ancient Tartan in Emerald
Kravet | Lee Jofa | Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, Troy, kravet.com, michigandesign.com
“It was important to the client to keep the original green tile on the kitchen fireplace surround, so we added a large-scale wallpaper pattern to give the fireplace a dramatic focal point. The fireplace wallpaper became a family favorite, and adds texture and personality.”
|
|
|
