Custom Home Design in Bloomfield Hills, MI
2025 MICHIGAN BLUE DESIGN AWARD WINNER
The design of this Bloomfield Hills home was inspired by the homeowner’s vision of the property as a personal “oasis”—a place of retreat, calm, and visual connection to the surrounding landscape. That idea comes to life most powerfully through the home’s custom stairway, conceived not merely as a means of circulation, but as a moment of arrival. As guests descend, the space opens dramatically to reveal soaring ceiling heights and an uninterrupted lake view straight ahead. The custom iron balustrade features bent spindles arranged in an eye-like form, with a circular iris subtly referencing the oasis concept. This motif is echoed throughout the home in custom window detailing and even in the overall geometry of the stair when viewed from above, reinforcing a sense of intention, symbolism, and quiet artistry.
Outdoor living was approached with the same layered thoughtfulness, transforming the lakeside setting into a private resort experience. While the home already overlooks an active lake, the design introduces a more intimate water feature just steps from the rear façade: a plunge pool positioned precisely on axis with a natural opening through the mature trees to frame sunset views across the water. A waterfall fountain adds gentle sound and movement, enhancing the feeling of escape. The pool’s open ledge preserves clear sightlines to the lake, while the adjacent patio and expansive lift-and-slide doors dissolve the boundary between indoors and out. Together, these elements create a seamless entertaining zone where the home’s bar area, terrace, and water features merge into one continuous experience—an effortless place to relax, gather, and unwind.
The home’s architecture is equally shaped by the challenges and opportunities of its remarkable site. Positioned on a narrow peninsula and accessed by a constrained entry drive, the buildable area required careful planning to address both elevation changes and panoramic views. The front elevation remains intentionally restrained, with simple limestone columns framing a dramatic entry that subtly directs the eye toward the water beyond. As the home unfolds toward the lake, its true character is revealed through expansive glass walls that capture views in nearly every direction. Barrel-vaulted ceilings guide sightlines through major spaces, while the upper level is thoughtfully set within the tree canopy to preserve privacy and natural rhythm. By working with the terrain rather than against it, the home settles quietly into its surroundings—its soft gray palette allowing the landscape to take center stage, reflected through glass and experienced from every interior vantage point.
Photographer: Beth Singer and Jim Haefner
Interior: Integrated Architectural Interiors































