2025 MBDA: Interiors

The inaugural Michigan BLUE Design Awards showcases 90 top honors in waterfront living — from boathouses to landscaping and interiors.
14

SPECIALTY ROOM (BAR, GYM, WINE, MUSIC, CRAFTS, BILLIARDS, ETC.)

First Place

CBI Design Professionals with Integrated Architectural Interiors
Photo by: James Haefner

The homeowner decided an existing bedroom would make an elegant and cozy reading room. The location is central to the upper hall and is the first space you see at the top of the stairs. The deep color of the room helps to highlight the windows and creates an atmosphere that’s ideal for reading. The bookcases and millwork, meanwhile, fit the character of the historic home and perfectly house the owner’s book collection.

Second Place

M.J. Whelan Construction
Photo by: Jeff Garland

Third Place

Birch Design Associates
Photo by: Jeff Garland


SUNROOM

First Place

Schaerer Architextural Interiors with Patrick Widing Custom Built Homes
Photo by: Steve Kroodsma

The outdoors is brought in through an all-seasons room with retractable glass doors, a fireplace, and hanging swing chairs. History meets the present as salvaged steel windows, transformed into doors, invite you from the front of the home into this space. The doors, when closed, also serve an important function: segregating and containing the outdoor environment of the all-seasons room from the temperature and humidity-controlled environment of the rest of the home.

Second Place

Concetti
Photo by: Brett Mountain

Third Place

M.J. Whelan Construction with Authentic Kitchen & Design Inc.
Photo by: Jeff Garland


GUEST ROOM

First Place

Decor and More Design Studio
Photo by: Kat Stevenson

The goal for this guest room was to make it inviting for visitors of all ages. To achieve this, patterns were mixed and layered throughout the room. Custom scalloped bed frames and linens and the notched detail of the headboards integrate perfectly with the scalloped clouds in the wallpaper. Greek key drapery panels provide another layer of dimension on top of the nature-inspired wallcovering. The oversized mirror mimics feathers, evoking grace and movement.

Second Place

White & Liebler Architects with Gemma Parker Design
Photo by: Dustin Halleck

Third Place

Mark Scott Homes
Photo by: Megan Williamson


BATH (POWDER ROOM, PRIMARY, ETC.)

First Place

Heller and Associates with Davis and Davis
Photo by: Jonathan Humphrey

This primary bath is a serene and sophisticated retreat. Floor-to-ceiling butt glass windows frame a vessel tub, while symmetrical vanities with custom millwork enhance the sense of balance and elegance. Tile in matching light tones adds harmony, and thoughtful lighting design enhances the overall experience. A backlit floating mirror adds a touch of modernity, creating an inviting ambience. The careful integration of luxurious materials, innovative lighting, and expansive lake views creates a spa-like environment.

Second Place

White & Liebler Architects with Gemma Parker Design
Photo by: Dustin Halleck

Third Place

Johnson Custom Homes with Witmer Design
Photo by: Martin Vecchio


KITCHEN

First Place

Kitchen West Design Studio
Photo by: Ashley Avila

A dune ridge informs the kitchen footprint at this home in Pentwater and presented a design challenge in the south wall. The unique island shape marries the linear and angular, and provides a functional workstation. Easy access to the dining area allows for intermingling between the two spaces. Special details include a cleverly concealed pantry closet, a dog-feeding station, and a prominent display of the client’s family dishes, which have been passed down through several generations.

Second Place

Kitchen West Design Studio
Photo by: Linea Photo

Third Place

Design Galleria
Photo by: Martin Vecchio


PRIMARY SUITE

First Place

Schaerer Architextural Interiors with Vogue Furniture
Photo by: Steve Kroodsma

This suite, complete with a fireplace and outdoor balcony, is truly a refuge. The seating area’s coffee table has hidden features that allow it to morph into a small writing desk. To the right of the fireplace is a hidden bar. The majestic bed has a dramatic overhead canopy — a feature reminiscent of a bygone era. The combination bath and dressing area has a tile floor with accents matching the bedroom’s wood floor borders.

Second Place

Heller and Associates with Davis and Davis
Photo by: Jonathan Humphrey

Third Place

Concetti
Photo by: Brett Mountain


GREAT ROOM

First Place

Decor and More Design Studio
Photo by: Kat Stevenson

The goal was to make the great room a worthy focal point, while not obstructing the lake views. The oversized room was painted Extra White by Sherwin- Williams, keeping it bright and airy. Infusing texture and warmth through furnishings and accessories softened the overall aesthetic. A combination of bespoke, modern, and vintage pieces creates a curated, custom feel. Thoughtfully curated accessories pay tribute to the homeowners’ backgrounds in Grosse Pointe and South Africa.

Second Place

Mark Scott Homes
Photo by: Megan Williamson

Third Place

Cottage Company Interiors
Photo by: Beth Singer


HOME OFFICE

First Place

Concetti
Photo by: Brett Mountain

Every room in this house tells a story of self-expression, but one stands out as the cornerstone for the partnership of beauty and function. The moody, masculine home office contains a variety of materials and finishes, in addition to custom bookshelves, but an asymmetrical, show-stopping desk takes center stage. It can be used on either side, and it also contains a components pop-up box. Custom cabinetry in a deep blue pays homage to Michigan’s water wonderland.

Second Place

White & Liebler Architects with Gemma Parker Design
Photo by: Dustin Halleck

Third Place

Vintage Design Studio
Photo by: Courtney Wood


USE OF LOCAL ART (NAUTICAL-THEMED)

First Place

Gemma Parker Design
Photo by: Dustin Halleck

Nautical without the kitsch, this vintage kayak was beautifully refinished and is the perfect addition to this living room on the Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City. The height of the living room called for a large piece that would ground the space. Yearning for something sculptural, the design team chose this vintage kayak, as it was so relevant to the setting on Lake Michigan and incorporates a warmth that exudes character.

Second Place

M.J. Whelan Construction with Authentic Kitchen & Design Inc.
Photo by: Jeff Garland

Third Place

Vintage Design Studio
Photo by: Courtney Wood


USE OF FABRICS

First Place

Cottage Company Interiors with Cottage Company of Harbor Springs
Photo by: Jacqueline Southby

This two-bedroom condo showcases a masterful use of color and pattern through fabrics. The primary challenge was to employ a red, white, and blue color scheme without evoking an overtly Fourth of July or overly patriotic feel. This was achieved by using periwinkle blue as the dominant color and limiting navy and red to the details. Balancing the colors in each space and ensuring they tied together was key.

Second Place

Concetti
Photo by: Brett Mountain

Third Place

Maison Birmingham with Ellwood Interiors and Brian Neeper Architecture
Photo by: Martin Vecchio


FINISHED LOWER LEVEL

First Place

Schaerer Architextural Interiors with Patrick Widing Custom Built Homes
Photo by: Steve Kroodsma

A custom backlit quartzite bar, a restored vault door, custom wallpaper with hundreds of handwritten scriptures that had been written on the joists during the home’s building process, and a unisex locker room result in a fun setting. Displaying treasured artifacts is more than a hobby for the homeowners, and many historic items are built into the design of the lower level.

Second Place

Heller and Associates with Davis and Davis
Photo by: Jonathan Humphrey

Third Place

Authentic Kitchen & Design
Photo by: Jeff Garland


UTILITY ROOM (LAUNDRY ROOM, MUDROOM, DEDICATED PET SPACE, ETC.)

First Place

Maison Birmingham with Brian Neeper Architecture and Ellwood Interiors
Photo by: Martin Vecchio

A “command center” desk helps keep track of school and sports schedules, while large lockers, deep drawers, and a built-in bench supply ample storage. A sink and cleaning station provide a convenient spot for quick cleanups and hand-washing.

Second Place

Birch Design Associates
Photo by: Jeff Garland

Third Place

DesRosiers Architects
Photo by: James Haefner


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