Modern Refinement: A Contemporary Townhouse Reimagined

By: Justin Sharer, Owner of Sharer Design Group & Bespoke Cabinetry Expert

Completed in January 2026, this full townhouse remodel in Birmingham, Michigan reflects a refined contemporary vision shaped through thoughtful collaboration, restrained materiality, and highly customized detailing. Working alongside interior designer Carmen Segasser, owner of Casha Design, and Mason Walker, owner of Legacy Construction, the project transformed both the main and upper levels of the residence into a home that better supported the clients’ lifestyle while closely aligning with their aesthetic preferences.

Although no structural work was required, the layout of the townhouse was carefully reconfigured to improve functionality, flow, and daily living. Through strategic planning and intentional design decisions, spaces were refined to feel more cohesive, efficient, and tailored to the way the homeowners wanted to inhabit the home. The remodeling scope included the main level kitchen, flooring, fireplaces, powder room, and elevator, while the upper level included the laundry room and primary suite fireplace, allowing a contemporary design language to unfold consistently throughout the residence.

At the center of the project was the use of bespoke Sharer Cabinetry, which established the visual foundation for many of the home’s defining spaces. Utilizing our Camden slab door style throughout, the cabinetry reinforced the clean architectural lines and minimalist contemporary character that guided the overall design direction. The simplicity of the slab profile allowed proportion, finish, and material contrast to become the primary design language.

The kitchen became one of the most defining moments of the remodel. Rich walnut cabinetry, custom stained to highlight the warmth and natural depth of the wood species, anchors the space with a sense of understated sophistication. The walnut cabinetry continues beyond the kitchen into the adjacent fireplace feature, creating continuity between the living and entertaining spaces. Balancing the warmth of the walnut is a striking use of high-gloss white cabinetry, incorporated into the accent hood cabinetry and integrated prominently into the island composition. The contrast between the soft richness of the wood and the crisp reflective quality of the high-gloss white finish creates a distinctly contemporary atmosphere that feels both dramatic and refined.

The island itself became a particularly important design element, blending walnut and high-gloss white cabinetry into a single integrated composition rather than treating the materials as separate gestures. Clean lines, seamless detailing, and carefully considered proportions reinforce the tailored nature of the space, while integrated appliances throughout both the kitchen and butler’s pantry preserve uninterrupted sightlines and maintain the purity of the cabinetry design.

Adjacent living areas continue the contemporary narrative established in the kitchen. The main level fireplace feature, framed by the same stained walnut materiality, acts as both an architectural focal point and a unifying design element between spaces. On the upper level, the primary suite fireplace extends this language into a more intimate setting, carrying forward the project’s emphasis on material consistency and modern restraint.

The powder room provided an opportunity for a more dramatic expression of the home’s contemporary aesthetic. Here, the same Camden slab cabinetry was finished in painted black, creating a darker, more moody atmosphere distinct from the surrounding spaces while still remaining connected to the overall design vocabulary. The room combines marble floor tile with Ann Sacks mirrored wall tile, layering texture, reflection, and material depth into a compact but visually impactful environment. The result feels polished, artistic, and intentionally immersive.

Beyond the primary entertaining spaces, supporting rooms received equal design attention. The elevator interior was reimagined to align with the home’s refined contemporary identity, transforming what is often treated as a purely functional component into a thoughtfully integrated design element. Upstairs, the laundry room balances utility with aesthetic clarity through clean-lined cabinetry, efficient organization, and a restrained palette that supports the larger architectural language of the residence.

Throughout the project, the collaboration between design, cabinetry, and construction disciplines was essential to achieving a cohesive outcome. Carmen Segasser’s interior vision, Legacy Construction’s execution, and the bespoke cabinetry solutions developed by Sharer Design Group collectively shaped a home that feels contemporary without feeling sterile, highly functional without sacrificing warmth, and distinctly personalized to its owners. The completed townhouse demonstrates how careful planning, material restraint, and collaborative craftsmanship can transform an existing footprint into a home that feels entirely renewed without relying on dramatic structural intervention.

Photos by: Stylish Detroit

Wall Art by: Wendy Franklin