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34 November 9 • 2017 jn M ichael Berman moved from Michigan to California when he started col- lege, but he regularly returns to browse the Woodward Dream Cruise. A car-design fan and vintage-car collector, he likes to see all kinds of vehicles as he walks along Woodward with his brother, Bill, who still lives in the area. Berman returned to Michigan in October to cel- ebrate a different family of designs — home furnishings — which make up the focus of his career. Through Michael Berman Ltd., the former Detroiter offers interior-design services as well as his own col- lection of furniture and room accessories. Berman, branching out beyond his own firm, works with other manufacturers to come up with products for the home. Some of those are being spotlighted at the Michigan Design Center in Troy, where Berman has showcased his furniture line for Theodore Alexander — including pieces inspired by automotive creativ- ity. "Theodore Alexander just started in a new direction with products that are a little more upscale, and I have about 80 individual pieces called Califolio," says Berman, whose work has been the subject of articles in magazines such as Architectural Digest, Elle Décor and House Beautiful. "It's a portfolio of California- inspired designs, comprised of really comfortable, gener- ously proportioned upholstery as well as dining tables and chairs, end tables and coffee tables. "California is where I've been designing for the last 30-plus years," Berman adds. "The pieces have unique and original finishes that convey the coastal California lifestyle because they have somewhat dry and light wood. What's happening in the industry in general is a direction away from what we call 'brown wood.' Now we're seeing more textural wood finishes, gray tones and neutral tones mixed with some beautiful dark wood pieces." Berman, who calls his approach trans-modern as inspired by American modern- ists, remains proud that his products are made in America and can be quality tested. There is a "sit test" on chairs and sofas so that people with different types of anatomies try the furniture to ensure it's all deep enough to be really com- fortable, but not so deep that feet don't touch the ground. Other Berman designs include ceramic tile and stone for Walker Zanger, textiles "My mother would swear that she had me, at 6 years old, selecting all the materials, countertops, wallpaper and paint for our new house." — MICHAEL BERMAN a t h o m e arts&life