This 1959 Michigan Mid-Century Modern Has a Stunning Wall of Shelves and an All-Black Kitchen

Written by

Diana PaulsonPhotographer
Diana PaulsonPhotographer
Equipped with an eye for photography and an interior design background, Diana has been blending these two passions to create stunning images for Apartment Therapy.
published Oct 8, 2021

This 1959 Michigan Mid-Century Modern Has a Stunning Wall of Shelves and an All-Black Kitchen

Written by

Diana PaulsonPhotographer
Diana PaulsonPhotographer
Equipped with an eye for photography and an interior design background, Diana has been blending these two passions to create stunning images for Apartment Therapy.
published Oct 8, 2021
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Bedrooms
Square feet

1300

Sq ft

1300

Name: Colin Tury and Ellie Ingram
Location: Southfield, Michigan
Size: 1,300 square feet
Years lived in: 5 years, owning

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Colin Tury is the co-founder of Midwest Common, an independent Detroit-based design firm. In his words, he lives and breathes furniture, lighting, and interior design. “I have been making and designing things since I can remember. Luckily, I’ve followed my passions and get to do it for a living,” he explains.

This mid-century modern house built in 1959 is the first house for him and his partner, Ellie Ingram, but it didn’t look like the beautiful modern home it is today when they first purchased it five years. The creative couple have put A LOT of work into transforming it into what you see today. “Every square inch of this house has been affected by us and we’re proud of it” he writes. “I know that there will always be things that we ‘need to do,’ but for now it’s turned into a very special place. Also, this house has become a mini gallery for all the wonderful artist and craftspeople we’ve met along the way. All of the artwork in our home is from someone that we personally know and support.” 

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Style: Soulful Contemporary

Inspiration: Isamu Noguchi and Dolly Parton

Favorite Element: There are so many moments we are proud of. I personally feel like the glass doors I built between Ellie’s studio and the living room truly transformed the house the most.  

Biggest Challenge: Doing everything ourselves while living in it.

What Friends Say: It’s been a running joke that our house doesn’t actually exist because we’ve never truly hosted a formal event here due to ongoing renovations. We will let you know after the belated housewarming party…

Biggest Embarrassment: The only embarrassing thing has been my assumption of how long all of the renovations would take. We are pretty proud of everything we’ve affected thus far. 

Proudest DIY: This entire house. It’s hard to believe what it used to look like and the condition it was in versus how it looks/feels now.

Biggest Indulgence: A selfish display of my own furniture and lighting. And dog toys, of course.

Best Advice: Don’t be too critical of your own efforts. Truthfully, you’re the only who really cares. 

Resources:

PAINT & COLORS

  • Ultra pure white, Iron Ore Black, and whatever that green was that we picked it.

ENTRY

LIVING ROOM

DINING ROOM / KITCHEN

  • Prouve Chairs — Industry West
  • Tulip Table — Modway
  • Menu Design Pendant Lights — Menu Design

BEDROOM 1

BEDROOM 2

BATHROOM

Thanks, Colin and Ellie!

This house tour’s responses were edited for length and clarity.