Advertisement

Elegance By Design comes to Ferndale

Jason A. Michael

FERNDALE – Brian Ashburn was not deterred by Michigan's somewhat shaky economic climate.
"There is really no good time to open any business," he said. "Michigan used to be known as one of top upper end furniture markets in the United States. Then, Marshall Fields got out of upper end furniture and special order, and closed all of their design studios. Now, there's no place – other than the Michigan Design Center – to represent quality furniture."
But if all goes well, Ashburn is about to change that. A North Carolina native who came to Detroit by route of Canada – he studied interior design at Toronto's Ryerson University for four years – Ashburn has spent the past nine years building his reputable design firm, the aptly titled Elegance By Design. Two weeks ago, Ashburn took his firm to the next level by opening his own furniture store of the same name.
Located in downtown Ferndale, his showroom, which he co-owns with partner Daniel Behnke, can be found at 231 W. Nine Mile Road.
"Truthfully, we looked at Royal Oak, and we looked in Birmingham, but I love this old downtown feeling," Ashburn said. "Actually, two years ago we drove down here one night for dinner and I said, 'that building would make a perfect space for Elegance By Design,' and now two years later here we are."
"Here" is the building that originally housed Neisner's Five and Dime. The 6,500 square feet space had been a used office furniture store for the past several years. When Ashburn arrived on the scene, he had his work cut out for him. But he knew it'd be worth it. He had all new electrical wiring put in, painted the ceiling, put in all new windows and refinished the floors.
"When we were finished, my project manager asked me, 'is it anywhere close to what you thought it would be?" recalled Ashburn. "And I said, 'it's exactly as I wanted it."
The character filled quarters coalesce perfectly with the well-appointed pieces Ashburn has brought in.
"I had to completely keep my personal style out of it, or else the whole store would be directed one way," Ashburn said. "I tried to select pieces that had great style and would be attractive to all different tastes."
As a designer, Ashburn is used to setting aside his own personal style to accommodate his clients.
"Sometimes we designers feel like we are almost like a psychiatrist," he said. "We're almost mind readers. We have to read what's in the client's mind."
Not the easiest of tasks, Ashburn has learned to gently guide his clients to find their own good taste.
"We as human beings are so comfortable being in the little boxes we live in," he said. "When a designer such as myself guides them out of that box, it's difficult for them. Yet in the end, they always look back and giggle."
As for Ashburn's design style, one need only look at the name of his firm to ascertain it.
"I think what has been a huge success to my career is understated elegance, whether it be traditional or transitional or soft contemporary," he said. "I'm a firm believer that rooms can be very well appointed without being roped off like a museum."
Ashburn advises clients to be careful of trends.
"I don't think it's wise to invest your money into a trend because trends are here today and gone tomorrow," he said. "I believe consumers should invest their money in upholstery items and, secondly, into good wood pieces."
Yet there are emerging color schemes that Ashburn is particularly fond of.
"Grey is a color that's making a huge comeback," he said. "And milk chocolate with almost a pistachio green, that is fabulous with a little bit of brushed silver."
There is, however, a common thread to all the pieces in Ashburn's showroom.
"The merchandise that comes into Elegance By Design, it has to have great style, comfort and quality," he said. "Elegance is quality."

Advertisement
Advertisement

From the Pride Source Marketplace

Go to the Marketplace
Directory default
LGBT law, Elder law, Probate Administration and Estate Planning, Non-profit and Small Business law,…
Learn More
Directory default
Also operates 313Clix Photo Booth
Learn More
Directory default
A Christian denomination celebrating 40 years of service to the LGBT community. Services each…
Learn More
Advertisement