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,” said Taylor, 48, of her chic Clinton Township, Mich., 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, what spoke to her.
“I discovered I was drawn to rusty metal, garden-like objects, as well as tree, leaf and bird motifs,” said Taylor, whose office/studio is in Royal Oak, Mich. “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:
Q: How would you describe your home’s interiors?
A: 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.
Q: Your living room doesn’t look like a typical living room.
A: 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. … Faux painter Greg White stenciled the walls and sisal rug.
Q: Tell us about your favorite room.
A: It’s the powder room. Greg White painted the mural. I used an antique Irish server … 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.
Q: The dining area is understated but very inviting.
A: 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.
Q: The family room is 18 by 22 feet. How did you furnish it?
A: I placed a pair of overstuffed Henredon sofas opposite each other with a large Grange coffee table between the sofas – all from the (Michigan) design center. Greg White stenciled the bronze motif from the Stark rug onto the walls. 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.
Q: The master bath looks like a spa retreat.
A: That was the goal. It’s mostly for my use. I stole 2 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.
Q: Who are your favorite designers?
A: I like the work of Vicente Wolf, Mariette Hines Gomez, Victoria Hagen and Jeffrey Bilhuber.
