Of equal importance was creating a connection to the property’s natural amenities and emulating an overall sense of well being. To achieve their aesthetic vision, personalities and sense of style, the solution proved to be modern and human-centric.

Several elements throughout the residence strengthen the connection to nature: A continuous wall of windows allows for unencumbered flow to the outdoors, a cool breeze off Lake Michigan, ample natural light exposure and views to the surrounding landscape; a cloud-like fixture, which hangs in the center of the living room, mirrors the passing skies; and additional outdoor access points open up to private gardens around the house, allowing for an effortless flow to intimate exterior spaces for the family to enjoy under different sunlight conditions throughout the day.

The overall color palette of the home is warm with natural and tactile materials, providing brightness against an evanescent stormy backdrop and provoking and uplifting feel, while modern furniture combined with accent pieces in bold hues offset the restlessness of the long winters.

Here, architecture and interior concepts work in tandem to provide direct connections between the interior and exterior, as an open plan and continuity of materials reinforce unencumbered flow between the residence and its surrounding landscape.

Client, St Joseph Residence I : “Although I have an education and some experience working in design, I knew when it came to designing the interiors of my family’s new home I would need someone to guide us through the process. We interviewed several very well-known interior designers and found the experience left us uncomfortable and unimpressed.

When we met with Sharlene and talked through the project, we knew we found the right person to work with. Sharlene is calm, thoughtful, meticulous and possesses a wonderful sense of color, texture, and design. She kept excellent track of the project and managed the budget very well. Everyone in our family loves our new home and the environment Sharlene created for us. It’s modern without being cold, elegant without being rigid and perfect for our needs.”