In the historic neighborhood of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, a warm and inviting home stands witness to the collaborative spirit between homeowner and interior designer. This property, built in 1950 and nestled near the prestigious Country Club of Detroit, has been transformed into a textural living space by Tami Ramsay and Krista Nye Nicholas of CLOTH & KIND for owner Keith Schatko, whose profound appreciation for art, antiques and a life well-traveled are felt throughout.
A father, wine collector and entrepreneur, Schatko embarked on this journey to craft a home that mirrors his eclectic and adventurous design ethos. From the outset, the rapport between Schatko and Nye Nicholas was seamless, laying the groundwork for a project driven by mutual respect and a shared vision. “There was an effortless connection,” the designer notes, highlighting the importance of alignment in tastes and expectations.
The design narrative of this home is richly influenced by the owner’s collections and his inclination toward rich colors and storied patterns. An anchor in this vivid storytelling is the artwork “The Tree of Secrets,” setting a lively color scheme that flows throughout the living and dining spaces. “This was one of the first pieces we landed on by artist Amy Wright, procured from Gregg Irby Gallery,” shares Nye Nicholas, who expressed that the client’s penchant for interesting art and adoration of color and pattern were both elements the team wholly embraced during the design process. “And rather than cluttering the built-in niches with books or decorative objects, we opted for sculptural objects floating at varying depths,” she adds. This commitment to artistry is evident in every corner of the home, from the abstract sculptures nestled in niches to the bespoke, hand-painted lampshades by Ross Alexander adding layers of texture and color.
The design further embraces Schatko’s adventurous spirit, as Nye Nicholas sourced eclectic pieces that resonate and reflect his cosmopolitan personality. This approach led to the incorporation of diverse artworks and vintage finds, like the Czech Halabala lounge chair and the French terracotta confit pots, infusing the space with history and charm. Nye Nicholas describes, “We anchored many of the rooms based on art we sourced early in the project, but as we worked together over the course of many months, we’d find antiques or one-of-a-kind pieces on our travels and text photos to our client, who would typically respond ‘Let’s do it!’ within moments. It takes a certain type of client to be able to make decisions on the fly like that, and those projects always end up feeling all the more layered and interesting as a result.”
A defining moment in the home’s transformation was the decision to paint the library’s walls and ceilings in shades of green, moving away from its original stark white. This bold move paid off, creating a cozy enclave for relaxation and reflection, perfectly aligning with Schatko’s vision of a home that welcomes a spirited approach to color and warmth. Throughout this journey, unexpected delights surfaced, such as the incorporation of prototype lampshades that added an extra layer of originality to the space.
CLOTH & KIND’s work on this Grosse Pointe Farms home artfully illustrates how design can encapsulate the essence of its inhabitants. Through an intentional blend of art and antiques, alongside a fearless use of color and pattern, Keith Schatko’s home has become a refuge that reflects his dynamic lifestyle and refined tastes, forever open to the addition of new stories and treasures.
Photography by Marta Xochilt Perez.
Styling by Benjamin Reynaert Creative.
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