Colonial Charm

Lauren Tolles & Tori Olijar

Maison Birmingham, Birmingham, MI

Co-Designers: Brian Neeper Architecture & Jessica Neeper Interiors

Maintaining the original charm and character of this 1956 Bloomfield Village Colonial was paramount when tackling this remodel. Designers Lauren Tolles and Tori Olijar of Maison Birmingham, with Jessica Neeper Interiors and Brian Neeper Architecture, were also tasked with enlarging and brightening the space and making it suitable for large-scale family entertaining. 

Removing the partition wall separating the kitchen from the breakfast nook bathed the space in natural light from the windows gazing out onto the backyard. A beam needed to be installed to span between the cooktop wall and the adjacent dining room wall, a positive since the beam worked to visually define the breakfast nook while maintaining an open feel. The beam was mirrored to frame in the main kitchen area and center the island and hood on the large opening to the formal dining room. 

The perimeter features custom cabinetry from Maison Birmingham, matched with Haniburton hardware from Schaub & Co. and marble-look porcelain countertops with warm tones. On the cooktop wall, three-sided glass towers flank the Zephyr hood and Wolf cooktop, allowing additional light to shine through. A Thermador refrigerator/freezer, U-Line undercounter refrigerator and wall oven and speed oven were also included in the design.

Dropping a 157″x50″ island was no small task with just 8′ ceilings, note the designers, but its additional seating and prep area – with Blanco apron front sink, Taft faucet from Newport Brass, warming drawer and Miele dishwashers – was key to the function of the space. The island’s walnut finish and style grounds the space, delivering a warm, furniture-like feel.