A Modern Scandinavian Abode

Project Details

Location — Ann Arbor, Michigan

Press — House Beautiful, March 2020 cover story

Photography — Werner Straube

Our primary mandate was to create a series of spaces that projected etherealness and light, and to balance the creatively diverse visions of the two homeowners: the husband preferred clean lines and modernity, while the wife loved vibrant jewel tones and touches of traditionalism.

A newly constructed manse, the CDJA team played a collaborative role with both the interior architecture and design process. Dramatically patterned marble and quartz selections were employed to make bold statements as organic art. Wood and metal finishes were mixed unapologetically throughout each room, which tied seamlessly with an energetic color palette of emerald, navy, chocolate, honey, and white. The result is a project that is equal parts midcentury modern and neoclassical—but effortlessly timeless.

Modern living room with a white ceiling featuring crown molding, large windows, a fireplace, two chandeliers, and various seating including a green velvet sofa, armchairs, and ottomans.
Decorative wall art made of white shell-like structures arranged in a circular pattern on a wall with white paneling. A dark, textured sculpture is partially visible at the bottom right.
A modern living room with a large chandelier hanging from a ceiling with decorative molding. The room features a fireplace with a marble surround, two large windows flanking the fireplace, and a mix of seating including armchairs, benches, and a sofa
Modern dining room with large windows, a white round table, six chairs with beige and black upholstery, a black chandelier with white globe lights, a black vase with white flowers, and a large potted plant, with snow visible outside.
Modern kitchen interior with a white marble kitchen island featuring black and white veining. The island has a white marble top and is accompanied by four white barstools with black metal legs. On the island, there is a black bowl with a green leaf a
A modern kitchen with white cabinets that have gold handles, a marble countertop, a stainless steel sink, and black-framed windows. Above the window, there are three gold wall sconces with black bases, and to the side, there are light wooden cabinets
A dining room with a dark wood table surrounded by a mix of velvet upholstered chairs and wooden chairs, a floral centerpiece on the table, a large window with white framing, textured wallpaper, wall-mounted turquoise vases, and a gold and black chan
A modern wooden sideboard with a dark finish, decorated with black and gold vases, a statue head with black leaves on top, a white flowerpot with flowers, and a large geometric mirror reflecting a chandelier and part of the room.
Living room seating area with a wooden bench underneath a geometric-patterned blue and gray wall, decorated with three cushions and a floral pillow, a vase with white flowers on a small round black table, and a large abstract painting on the wall.
View of a modern dining room with a round wooden table, four yellow chairs, colorful vases, a large abstract painting on a blue wall, patterned curtains, and a glass chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
A cozy corner in a living room with a tan leather sofa and multicolored patterned cushions. Behind the sofa are large windows with blue, yellow, and green chevron-patterned curtains and sheer blinds. A tall, white and wood tripod floor lamp is next t
A bar cabinet with glass shelves holding various glassware and bottles, gold accents, and a marble countertop.
Interior view of a staircase with a chandelier hanging from the ceiling, multiple large windows with shades, and a bookshelf on the right side.
A corner of a living room with a bookshelf filled with colorful books, a round marble-top table with an open book and a green plant, two gray upholstered chairs, gold decorative objects, a flat-screen TV, and large windows with blinds letting in natu
Bedroom with large painted wall, white curtains, window with black grid, bed with white bedding and pillows, blue armchair, side table with lamps, wooden benches at foot of bed, geometric patterned rug, and modern chandelier.
A bedroom corner featuring a bed with patterned pillows, a nightstand with a small green plant, several books, a large decorative glass lamp with a white lampshade, a window with beige curtains, and a wall with blue and white patterned wallpaper.
A modern bathroom featuring a marble-topped white vanity with drawers, large mirrors, gold wall sconces, and a marble shower enclosure with glass.
A bedroom with floral wallpaper on one wall, a white bed with multiple pillows, including a furry one, and a pink lamp on a nightstand. There are bookshelves filled with colorful books and a window with white blinds, a purple accent wall, and a chand
A bedroom scene featuring a bed with cream-colored textured bedding, stacked pillows with various patterns and colors including beige, gold, and maroon, and a floral wallpaper background with pink, purple, brown, and beige flowers. To the left, a whi
A bedroom with a pink bedspread, plush pillows, and stuffed animals, including a lion. The bedroom has white walls with wallpaper featuring butterfly and dragonfly patterns, white window frames, and built-in white cabinets. There is a pink bedside ta
Close-up of a white bedside table with two drawers, one equipped with two glass knobs, placed next to a bed with pink and peach pillows, a fluffy pink throw, and a chevron-patterned pillow. On the table, there is a book titled 'Quiet' by Susan Cain a
A bright living room with white brick walls, a vaulted wood ceiling, large windows, and assorted furniture including wicker chairs with green and white striped cushions, tables with lamps, and wall art.
Living room corner with a white brick wall, a black metal wall shelf holding various potted green plants, a white ceramic planter on a small table with a large bouquet of blue hydrangeas, a white table lamp, a wicker basket with apples, a beige woven
A dining room with a wooden table set for a meal, surrounded by wicker chairs with green cushions. The table is decorated with wine bottles, drinks, fruits, bread, and a centerpiece of green and white vases with plants. Large windows and a sliding gl
A dining table setup with a salad, glassware, candles, and decorative vases filled with white flowers and green foliage, illuminated by natural light.

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