“I love interiors that are fresh and full of life,” says Dayna Rasschaert, designer and owner of Dayna Flory Interiors in Bloomfield Hills. “Traditional, upbeat spaces are my specialty.”
Rasschaert has a discerning eye for seamlessly incorporating delicious colors, patterns and textures. In the case of this Birmingham home — one of six on the 35th-annual Birmingham House Tour on Sept. 12 (see “The Details”) — these details play together to create a serene and welcoming family-friendly and functional style.
A true historic home, the original Cape Cod was built in 1937, designed by noted Detroit architect Wirt C. Rowland for the son of a prominent auto-industry executive. Fast-forward to 2015: The homeowner launched a large-scale renovation, prioritizing keeping the integrity and character of the original home intact. The homeowner tapped Jeff Klatt from Krieger Klatt Architects in Royal Oak, Mike Petrucci from Petrucci Homes in Birmingham and Rasschaert to collaborate from the ground up — literally, as the renovation included underpinning the existing foundation to allow for a full-sized basement.
Although Rasschaert works often with Petrucci, she says, “This was the first time the three of us worked together — and we’ve since completed several more projects together. It was such a pleasure and privilege working with this talented team and these homeowners.”
Finding Rasschaert through word-of-mouth referral, the homeowner was quickly impressed by the designer’s process of listening first, understanding the importance of learning how the homeowner lived and what was needed from the home. “When I begin working with a client, I take a lot of time to understand their aesthetic and their lifestyle,” she says. “I like to start with design details that represent who they are, then present options that push the envelope to weave into their design.”
Entertaining often, the homeowners wanted it to be user-friendly, comfortable and a bit luxurious for family and friends. “The design and overall palette is very sophisticated and soothing,” Rasschaert says. “At the same time, it has a charming sense of casualness that makes you feel very at home in all of the spaces.”
THE DETAILS
On Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, The Community House in Birmingham will host its 35th-annual Birmingham House Tour. The fundraising event will showcase six area private homes; in addition to Dayna Rasschaert, designers and architects featured on the tour include builder Todd Emerson, founder and president of Sterling Custom Homes, designer Sissy Yellen of Sissy Yellen Living and designer Michael Coyne of Michael Coyne Design. For details and tickets (including optional lunch), visit thecommunityhouse.com.