Decorators typically change domiciles as often as they change shoes because they relish a new challenge and an opportunity to redecorate.

But not interior designer Jennifer Taylor, who’s lived in the same house for two decades, a 1980s subdivision house that started out life devoid of character.

“Over the years, I changed or added molding, installed hardwood flooring, built bookcases, re-roofed, commissioned murals and decorative painting for nearly every wall surface and reconfigured the kitchen and bathrooms,” says Taylor, 48, of her chic Clinton Township ranch. “Three years ago, I remarried, and my doctor husband, Bill (Vornberger), and I added a spacious family room, enlarging the house from 1,550 square feet to 2,000 square feet.”

For clients, Taylor likes to “put on their head” to figure out what they need and want for their homes, never imposing design dictums. For her own space, she learned, while raising a now-grown son and daughter, Mattie and Jerry, what spoke to her.

“I discovered I was drawn to rusty metal gardenlike objects as well as tree, leaf and bird motifs,” says Taylor, whose office/studio is in Royal Oak. “I found I like earthy, moody hues of green and brown, and quirky antiques and architectural objects. And I am obsessed with details from accessories to tile treatments.”

Here’s a question-and-answer session with the designer about her home, favorite sources and design philosophy:

Homestyle: How would you describe your home’s interiors?

I think of it as traditional with a layered look that reminds you of another time and place. My white kitchen has a cottage ambiance, though, with simple Shaker cabinets and drawers, cup pulls, slate and marble backsplash and hardwood floor.

Your living room doesn’t look like a typical living room.

We use it as a library with one wall devoted to a bookcase, accessorized with architectural fragments from Heritage II in Royal Oak and a few pieces of McCoy green pottery. We have a fire here most mornings and drink our coffee. The fireplace tiles are from Ann Sacks at the Michigan Design Center in Troy. I bought the fireplace’s iron doors at the Saline Antiques Market. The vintage tole trays on the mantel came from Judy Frankel in Troy. Faux painter Greg White stenciled the walls and sisal rug. The wood settee came from Randie Federman at the design center, too.

Tell us about your favorite room.

It’s the powder room. Greg White painted the mural. I used an antique Irish server, which I bought from Betty Mason in Birmingham, as the vanity, adding nailhead trim. I also added the tiled shower with the clear acrylic door. The room has a dark, Old World ambiance, which I love.

The dining area is understated but very inviting.

The round wood table came from Crimson Rose Antiques in Birmingham. I made a console from a wrought iron balcony I bought from Randie Federman — I added a cast cement top. The antique crystal chandelier is from Judy Frankel. I found the Audubon bird prints in a Tennessee junk shop and framed them — the right framing makes all the difference.

The family room is 18 by 22 feet. How did you furnish it?

I placed a pair of overstuffed Henredon sofas opposite each other with a large Grange coffee table between the sofas — all from the design center. Greg White stenciled the bronze motif from the Stark rug onto the walls. The side chair is by Lillian August, and the chandelier is by International Ironworks. The giant Bausman armoire holds our TV, and I’m embarrassed to say that it almost didn’t fit through the front door — I had about a centimeter to spare.

The master bath looks like a spa retreat.

That was the goal. It’s mostly for my use. I stole two feet of space from an adjoining bedroom closet, replacing it with an armoire. I put tumbled marble on the floor and the walls, adding a bullnose border for character. The serigraph of a woman is by Moses Soyer.

Who are your favorite designers?

I like the work of Vicente Wolf, Mariette Hines Gomez, Victoria Hagen and Jeffrey Bilhuber.

How do you feel about your new/old house now?

This is a subdivision house, but I’ve added enough architectural pieces, antiques, tone-on-tone fabrics and uber details to give it character. What I like best is that I can now have 30 family members for dinner, and we can all sit down, sometimes squished together on a sofa, but still together.

You can reach Marge Colborn at (313) 222-2756 or mcolborn@detnews.com. Visit her blog at detnews.com/homestyleblog.

source : www.detnews.com

---