Gather, Dine, Unwind

WARM & WELCOMING
“The owners of this beautiful countryside home are warm, loving people who want their house to embrace their grown children and grandchildren. Surrounded by English gardens, their home’s interior features hand-hewn beams, limestone floors, and meaningful pieces of art and furnishings. We designed comfortable seating areas using classic, charming, and soft natural fabrics that invite the family to enjoy each other’s company and watch the grandchildren play. Because the great room is open to the dining area, the layout is inclusive yet intimate in character. When the clients are not entertaining, the space becomes a peaceful sanctuary to relax, read, and enjoy views of the garden.” — Colleen Farrell, Colleen Farrell Design

COLLEEN’S DESIGN TIPS:

• Plan for every season. Furnish your room by mapping out how you’ll use the space over an entire year, balancing daily comfort with seasonal hosting.
• Choose versatile furniture. Mobile or multi-functional pieces, like sofas on casters or flip-top tables, effortlessly adapt to changing scenarios.
• Borrow from next door. View adjacent rooms as a single ecosystem, like pairing benches with a sofa table to unlock additional dining or move lounge chairs to the nook for an intimate space for conversation. Get creative!

Available at MDC: Schumacher ottoman and striped chair fabrics; Tennant & Associates iron tables; CAI Designs sofa, end, and console tables; The Parson’s Nose antique drink tables and antique chest.

PARTY CENTRAL
“This space was designed for a homeowner with classic taste, a large extended family, and lots of friends they enjoy hosting. My goal was to create a hardworking kitchen that could handle the demands of entertaining while still feeling warm and inviting.

The generous island creates a natural gathering place where family and friends can sit, snack, help with meal preparation, or simply enjoy conversation while the host cooks. Ample counter space and a thoughtful layout allow food preparation and socializing to happen simultaneously without the kitchen feeling crowded. Warm wood cabinetry, natural stone, and layered lighting also give the room an inviting, elevated feel that transitions beautifully from everyday living to holiday entertaining.” — Katie Rodriguez, Katie Rodriguez Design

KATIE’S DESIGN TIPS:

• Create a central gathering point. A large island with comfortable seating gives guests a place to congregate, while keeping them connected to the host without interfering with the primary cooking and preparation areas.
• Plan for multiple functions at once. Incorporate generous counter space and distinct zones for cooking, serving, beverages, and cleanup so several people can comfortably use the kitchen during a busy holiday gathering.
• Use lighting and materials to create warmth. Layered lighting, natural materials, and warm finishes help soften a hardworking kitchen and create an inviting atmosphere that feels special enough for entertaining while remaining comfortable for everyday life.

Available at MDC: Lighting Resource Studio island pendant.

LOUNGING AROUND
“Located right off the foyer, this lounge commands attention from the moment you step inside. Our clients envisioned a sophisticated lounge feel designed for hosting, complete with an immediate ‘WOW’ factor. We brought this vision to life with a stunning, backlit panel in the bar area, perfectly paired with striking green swivel chairs. Just beside the lounge, two expansive interior windows offer a dramatic view into a temperature-controlled wine cellar. To seamlessly tie the design together, we crafted a beautiful wet bar featuring unique leather cabinet doors just behind the cellar.

Whether hosting a lively pre-event cocktail hour, an intimate gathering with close friends, or welcoming family for holiday celebrations like Thanksgiving and Christmas, this versatile space serves as the ultimate hub for connection.” — Alexis Goodman, SLS Designs

ALEXIS’ DESIGN TIPS:

• Design for your specific hosting style. Consider how you and your family function when gathering. Everyone hosts differently, so there is no single right way to lay out a lounge, family room, dining room, or kitchen. Focus entirely on how you want the space to work for your unique needs.
• Plan seating layouts and ergonomically correct furniture. Think about your typical guest list and their comfort. If everyone stays together, you will need a large space with ample seating; if guests break into smaller groups, you will need multiple smaller conversation areas. Additionally, be aware of seat depths and heights to accommodate your family’s height to ensure maximum support.
• Incorporate versatile, layered lighting. Select lighting options that can easily adapt to the mood of any party or event. Pair bright fixtures that fully illuminate and fill the entire space with dimmable or lower-level lighting options to create a cozy atmosphere when needed.

Available at MDC: Designer Group Collection chairs; CAI Designs lighting and accessories; Tennant & Associates wallcovering.

FESTIVE FLOW

“Designed in collaboration with Nicole Withers and Lorell Thompson, this Grosse Pointe Farms home was created for an accomplished professional seeking a traditional, feminine aesthetic. Space planning was an important consideration, we wanted to create an easy flow between the living and dining areas, providing plenty of places for guests to sit and gather without feeling separated from one another. The banquette in the living room provides a flexible spot for games, casual gatherings, or additional dining. A bar cart in the living room offers a convenient second drink station, allowing guests to help themselves without everyone congregating in the kitchen.” — Paula Leto, Jones-Keena & Co.

Available at MDC: City Lights Detroit chandelier; CAI Designs drapery fabric, ottoman, sectional sofa, settee, side chairs, and living room dining table; Schumacher dining chair fabric; Kravet/Lee Jofa/Brunschwig & Fils wallcovering.

PAULA’S DESIGN TIPS:

• Choose greenery that can transition between holidays. Succulents and fresh greenery can work beautifully throughout the holiday season. I like to keep the foundation consistent, then introduce vibrant seasonal flowers and accents as each holiday approaches. Mums, hydrangeas, and dahlias bring warm autumnal colors to Thanksgiving, while holly and poinsettias bring a festive touch to Christmas.
• Plan for plenty of seating. Give guests options for where they can sit and gather. In this home, seating is spread throughout the kitchen, dining room, and living room, creating comfortable spaces for conversation. Strategically placed side tables and occasional tables also give guests convenient places to set down a drink or small plate.
• Create a second drink station. A bar cart or small beverage station in another area of the home can keep guests from gathering in the kitchen. It also makes it easy for guests to help themselves while encouraging them to enjoy the other gathering spaces.
• Keep the centerpiece low enough for conversation. A holiday table should feel festive without creating a visual barrier between guests. Choose a low floral arrangement or grouping of smaller arrangements that adds color and interest while keeping sightlines open.

BIOPHILIC AMBIANCE
“Home to a family of five, including three young boys, this living space acts as a biophilic extension of their Bloomfield Hills residence. Large windows offer views of towering pine trees, setting the tone for a homey, lodge-inspired aesthetic. A variety of seating options and mobile ottomans float easily throughout the room, making it perfect for entertaining.

During the holidays, the family brings the outdoors in once again. A wreath made of two types of simple greens and accented with pinecones hangs on the custom-cut stone fireplace, while a coordinating garland adorns the reclaimed-wood mantle.” — Jennifer Kasselmann, Art by Design Interiors

JENNIFER’S DESIGN TIPS:

• Decor for the holidays needn’t be elaborate. Sometimes simple, realistic looking greens say it all and warm up a space with festive cheer.
• Store knickknacks for the season, otherwise the space gets too cluttered with everyday items and additional seasonal decor. Let your holiday decor shine! I have seen many people just add to their daily stuff and it feels too busy.
• Put some thought into the wrapping paper under the tree. When the paper pairs well with your tree theme, the whole ensemble looks cohesive. I select a few papers that are reversible and pair well together. Everyone in my household has their own "paper" so I don’t need to label gifts.