The holidays are right around the corner and many of us will be adorning our fireplace mantels with seasonal favorites. But the holidays aren’t the only opportunity to dress up this key focal point in many homes.

MDC’s “Total Transformations” Home Tour was a great success, so we thought it appropriate to highlight some of the dramatic transformations that were on display during the tour, as well as several additional renovations completed by the area’s top designers.

The fashion industry has historically influenced interior design. Although fashion was once reliably the forecast leader ahead of design, today’s climate is different, with design sometimes setting the trends. Here are some examples of what we’re seeing this fall.

Although they are often one of the smaller spaces in the home, powder rooms can make quite a large impact with carefully chosen fixtures and design elements. And while a high-style powder room is great, it is important to also consider the functionality of the space.

Whether you’re enjoying a late summer evening on the patio or having a pool party on a hot July day, our outdoor spaces are ideal when hosting family and friends during the warm summer months.

While permanent residences in Michigan are concentrated mainly in the state’s southern metropolitan areas, Michiganders’ vacation homes are located primarily in more rural areas in the northern part of the state with amenities close by.