House Tour Opens the Doors to Birmingham's Stylish, Eclectic Homes

A bright blue sky, a slight breeze and crispness in the air greeted guests on the annual Thursday.
 
The eight homes included 1920s Tudors, a bungalow-turned-citified town home, an updated 1950s classic colonial, a modern 5,000-square-foot, and an  Aspen-inspired abode.
 
“We sold more than 1,000 tickets this year,” said Gigi Nichols, The Community House spokesperson. “”We heard all good comments. People loved the variety.”
 
Co-chair Michelle Schwab of Birmingham agreed that it was a great success. “We had a beautiful fall day,” Schwab said. “It was well attended, and we were fortunate to have the support of our sponsors and homeowners.”
 
One home brimmed with all things artistic (including a captivating light fixture in the kitchen made of Detroit-style graffiti). Others were modern, edgy, classic, and simple.
 
“The diversity of architecture and design styles that make up this area were definitely showcased in this event,” said Kristen Catto Armstrong, event co-chair and Birmingham resident.

Other highlights included a putting green, a below ground-level garage, original art created by a daughter whose father (the homeowner) is an architect, leaded glass windows from the 1920s, keen black accents, pet showers, a Lego-crazed boy’s room, a wine cellar, a washer/dryer combination (“How does that work?” visitors constantly asked), town-home elegance, tiny gardens, master suite balconies, gorgeous wall-paint hues, a fully-equipped beauty salon, green toile, turquoise stools, cement floors, and a tub with a faucet in the ceiling.
 
Some of the rooms were styled by homeowners and designers to look as if they were sets in a play — a casual pair of high heels adorned a dressing area as if the homeowner just slipped out of them; a campfire-style table setting suggested kids would gather in minutes, and a dining room table looking ready for an elegant dinner party for friends.
 
Attendee Corey Damen Jenkins, an interior designer based in Bloomfield Hills, noted in one home that although the backdrop was traditional, the homeowner was able to bring "more eclectic and amazing accessories" into various vignettes. He and designer friends Ed Postif of Northville and Michael Stuart of Southfield agreed that this year’s homes were intriguing and well-chosen.
 
Attendees also enjoyed lunch at The Community House. Many stayed for the post-tour tea buffet of desserts and hot tea.

"It will be hard to top this year’s tour — there was such a wonderful variety,” one woman at the tea was overheard saying.