Birmingham Renovation in Michigan by McIntosh Poris Associates

Article source: McIntosh Poris Associates

McIntosh Poris Associates transformed a 1,900-square-foot historic farmhouse, maintaining its blend of existing raw and rustic details, and refreshing others for a contemporary feeling. A consistent palette of materials includes solid-wood floors, crisp white walls, original molding refinished in black, and neutral-toned furniture. Local artists and crafters created much of the furniture from re-used and salvaged industrial materials.

Image Courtesy © Brett Mountain 

• Architects: McIntosh Poris Associates
• Project: Birmingham Renovation
• Location: Michigan, USA
• Photography: Brett Mountain
• Size: 1,900 square feet

Image Courtesy © Brett Mountain

The entrance foyer encapsulates the home’s themes of re-use (salvaged wood and metal gate), artisan furniture (chairs and table by Seth Keller), and colorful abstraction (rugs on floor and a vintage Moroccan wall hanging). The living room scheme is a bit more refined with softly contemporary sofa and chairs surrounded by miss-matched accent tables purchased from Gaggino. A vintage Harry Bertoia chair is upholstered, like the rest of the seating, in a neutral tone, making the lobster-red credenza pop even more. Graphic art by John Pearson adds to the color scheme. To accommodate the owners’ young children, artist Rob Laskey created a kids’ playset from recycled art shipping crates.

Image Courtesy © Brett Mountain

Image Courtesy © Brett Mountain

Expanding the kitchen’s opening gave the dining room a more expansive feeling while containing it with beams and dark molding. Dark wood floors carry into the dining area to contrast against the natural wood tones of the furniture, which was crafted by local artists. The dining table, whose tones warm the bold framework, was made by Rick Gage from planks reclaimed from a Detroit factory. Seth Keller created the seating, shelving and credenza, on which sit ceramics by Suzanne Beautyman, Im Schafer, and Benjamin Teague. The frame of an enormous 1950s Christmas bell decoration was transformed into a chandelier. Two bright-orange plastic molded Eames chairs add a pop of color to the room and act as alternates to the bench seating around the table.

Image Courtesy © Brett Mountain

Image Courtesy © Brett Mountain

In the kitchen, simple farmhouse cabinetry was given a gray-green faux finish to complement the mahogany butcher-block countertops. A pass-through extends the kitchen to the diner-style eating area, where a custom aluminum table top is surrounded by salvaged-wood bench and vintage swivel seats. White subway tiles with dark grout create a classic backsplash. Farmhouse plumbing and lighting fixtures complete the rustic look.

Image Courtesy © Brett Mountain

Image Courtesy © Brett Mountain

An existing low soffit in the mud/laundry room hallway was replaced with chicken wire glass and steel. The glass ceiling doubles as the stair landing between the first and second floors, and provides a view up to the library, as well as constant natural light into the once-dark mudroom. Rick Gage made the library’s custom bookcase on the remnants of the home’s original, Depression-era second staircase when the home was a duplex. A pullout ladder rests in the slot of the bookcase, when leveled out and provide access to the precarious books.

Image Courtesy © Brett Mountain

Image Courtesy © Brett Mountain

New wood stairs were installed and stained dark brown to contrast against crisp white walls. A custom iron handrail was made to follow the curve of the stairway. The second floor consists of three bedrooms, including the master suite, which was given a new entry to allow space for a hallway closet. The master bathroom was kept in its original location, but its layout was completely reconfigured into a more functional space. To create a more open entrance, the existing shower was removed and replaced with a custom vanity made out of reclaimed wood and industrial steel legs. The mirror above was likewise framed in reclaimed wood. The shower was relocated and tiled in a neutral glass mosaic blend. New porcelain tile plank flooring and modern plumbing fixtures create an appealing contrast against the rustic aesthetic of the vanity, while pops of color are found in the woven floor rug and hand towels.

Image Courtesy © Brett Mountain

Image Courtesy © Brett Mountain

Firm:

McIntosh Poris Associates is a full-service architecture, interiors and urban design firm. Founded in 1994 by the late Douglas McIntosh and Michael Poris, AIA, the firm’s goal is to transform buildings, communities, and urban centers with architecture realized through vision and dialogue. Since its inception, McIntosh Poris Associates has been designing award-winning projects for residential, commercial, and institutional clients. The firm has built numerous single and multi-family residential, mixed-use, commercial, hospitality, institutional, and arts projects in Michigan, California, Connecticut, New York, and Ontario.

Image Courtesy © Brett Mountain

Image Courtesy © Brett Mountain

Tags: Michigan, USA

Category: Farm House

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