We are Architectural Resource... a visionary residential architecture firm specializing in custom sustainable design. Founded in 1991 we celebrate 35 years of creating inspired living spaces helping our clients realize their dreams and create a lasting legacy for generations. The Homes of the Future Today®
In a world that feels more fast-paced—and sometimes unrecognizable—than ever before, our homes become a refuge. A place for big, cozy couches, or something clean, minimal, and serene. A place to unwind. A place to simply be you. A place for childhoods, memories, and all the moments in between. There is truly no place like (nor more important than) home.
Welcome to the Home & Design issue of Ann Arbor City Lifestyle magazine.
We open this issue by listening—to a house. In our feature on Rochman Design-Build, we spend time with founder Gary Rochman as he walks us through an award-winning remodel of a mid-century Ann Arbor Hills home. As the city’s first design-build firm, Rochman has long believed the best homes emerge when architecture and construction work handin-hand. This project, rooted in trust, exploration, and thoughtful contrast, shows what’s possible when a home’s past is honored while designing for the future.
Design, of course, isn’t only about spaces—it’s about expression. At Esquire Interiors, a family-owned Ann Arbor institution for more than 75 years, we explore the move away from uniformity and toward personality. Owners Josh and Amanda weigh in on the 2026 design trends driving this evolution, observing that homeowners are embracing warmth, texture, and individuality—an aesthetic shift Ann Arbor is uniquely positioned to lead.
From there, we shift from private homes to shared spaces with a look inside The Vanguard Ann Arbor—the city’s only AAA Four Diamond hotel and one of its most thoughtfully designed places to gather. With richly layered interiors and its “common and uncommon” philosophy, The Vanguard elevates celebration itself, shaping weddings, bat mitzvahs, corporate events, intimate dinner parties, and milestone moments through atmosphere, detail, and unforgettable design.
In our nonprofit feature on HouseN2Home, we share the deeply human work of turning empty houses into homes for families, veterans, and individuals exiting homelessness. It’s a reminder that home isn’t defined by square footage, but by dignity, care, and belonging. Finally, we wrap things up with an “only in Ann Arbor” feature, where we meet John Downing—a handyman with a PhD in Nuclear Engineering. John is a reminder that in this town, intellectual curiosity and hands-on problem-solving often live side by side.
We hope these pages invite you to slow down, look closer, and get swept up in the spaces, stories, and designs that make Ann Arbor feel like home. Enjoy!
MARIA KARPIEL, PUBLISHER @ANNARBORCITYLIFESTYLE
March 2026
PUBLISHER
Maria Karpiel | maria.karpiel@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Rebecca Voigt | rebecca.voigt@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Lindsey Dodge, John Downing, Emily Klimas
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Stacy Anderson, ERI Creative
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford
LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Learn how to start your own publication at
Proverbs 3:5-6
An award-winning remodel reveals Rochman Design-Build’s trustdriven, design-led approach to reimagining older Ann Arbor
At Esquire Interiors, this year's biggest design trend is personality over uniformity
Approachable, sophisticated hospitality and elevated event design find a new home at The Vanguard Ann Arbor
HouseN2Home
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Ann Arbor Restaurant Week, a celebration of the city’s vibrant culinary scene, took place January 18-23. 1: James Beard Award “Best New Restaurant” semifinalist, Echelon Kitchen & Bar, offered their 5-course tasting menu with special Restaurant Week pricing. 2: The stars of TAQ’s Restaurant Week menu were its flavorful fusion tacos. 3: Aventura’s menu featured Spanish favorites Lobster Croquette, Jamon y Iberico, Pintxo Morunos, Piquillo Rellenos con Bacalao, and more. 4: Sava’s General Manager Malcolm Richardson and Executive Chef Rafael Cervantes with Ashley Schafer, Director of Main Street Ann Arbor, promoting Restaurant Week on Live in The D. 5: A green papaya salad and signature cocktails were some of the highlights at Peridot. 6: Le Bon Macaron's Restaurant Week special included a hot drink and two delectable macarons. 7: At Vinology, diners enjoyed elevated classics like maple-roasted butternut squash soup and birria short rib grilled cheese.
Architectural Resource, a nationally recognized leader in sustainable residential architecture, celebrates 35 years in business in 2026. Known for PHIUS-certified Passive Houses and LEED Platinum and DOE Zero Energy Ready homes, the Ann Arbor–based firm will mark the milestone with special events throughout the year, including Visible Green Home® tours, educational experiences, and open houses—continuing its mission of creating The Homes of the Future—Today®. Explore upcoming events at architecturalresource.com
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Join Hugh Davies, President of Schramsberg Vineyards, on March 25 for an extraordinary evening in The New Barn at Dixboro House. This intimate wine dinner offers guests the rare opportunity to dine and sip alongside one of Napa Valley’s most celebrated vintners. Davies will personally guide guests through a curated selection of Schramsberg’s acclaimed sparkling wines, paired with a seasonally inspired five course menu created by Chef Garrett Lipar and Dixboro House's culinary team. Purchase tickets at thedixboroproject.com/upcoming-events
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Celebrate 100 years of The Great Gatsby with the production that took the theater world by storm with a sold-out run at New York’s Public Theater. UMS presents Elevator Repair Service’s GATZ, a monumental, word-for-word enactment of Fitzgerald’s masterpiece. Experience the theatrical event of the season with the production The New York Times called “the most remarkable achievement in theater not only of this year, but also of this decade.” For tickets and to learn more, visit ums.org.
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An award-winning remodel reveals Rochman Design-Build’s trust-driven, design-led approach to reimagining older Ann Arbor homes
When Gary Rochman first walked up to the 1956 brick ranch in Ann Arbor Hills, he saw a home emblematic of its era—solidly built, thoughtfully proportioned, and set within a neighborhood that had only grown more desirable over time. Like many mid-century homes in Ann Arbor, it reflected a period when craftsmanship and restraint guided residential design.
What drew Rochman in wasn’t what the house lacked, but what it quietly offered. Beneath its low rooflines and horizontal form was a structure with strong bones and clear potential—one that could evolve to meet the needs of the family living there while remaining true to its original character.
That balance—between honoring what already exists and imagining what a home can become—is where Rochman Design-Build does its best work.
Over the decades, Rochman has remodeled countless older Ann Arbor homes, but this project stood out. It would ultimately earn the firm a National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Regional Contractor of the Year award, not just for its craftsmanship, but for the clarity of its vision. More than a renovation, the project became a case study in Rochman’s approach: listen carefully, explore broadly, and design with intention—from every angle.
Founded as Ann Arbor’s first design-build firm, Rochman Design-Build operates on a simple but powerful premise: architecture and construction work best when they are fully integrated. Gary Rochman’s background—shaped by earning a degree in architecture while also working as a carpenter, and later as a structural engineer—led him to embrace the “master builder” model, where one team is responsible for both imagining and executing a home.
“For residential scale,” Rochman says, “the master builder was always the ideal.”
That philosophy proved essential in this Ann Arbor Hills remodel. The homeowners loved their neighborhood and their home’s footprint but needed more bedroom space and a true primary suite. Like many mid-century ranches, the house had strong bones and generous width but limited
vertical presence. Rather than default to a firstfloor expansion, Rochman and his team resisted jumping to conclusions.
Instead, they explored. During the conceptual design phase, they presented more than a dozen ideas— expanding front or back, reconfiguring the first floor, adding a second story, and combinations of all three.
“Most people know what they like when they see it,” Rochman says, “but have a hard time imagining it.”
Over time, one idea clearly rose to the top: building up, rather than out. Extending the first floor would have made the home longer and flatter, diluting its proportions. Adding a second story proved more transformative, solving functional needs while giving the home a stronger identity.
That’s where contrast came into play.
“You see beauty oftentimes when it’s contrasted with something,” Rochman says. “High ceilings look beautiful when you come out of a lower ceiling space. Light materials stand out next to darker ones.”
The design leaned into that idea. Vertically, the addition introduced height and rhythm to a previously low-slung structure. Externally, contrasting materials—wood, stone, glass, and varied color tones—were layered thoughtfully against the original brick. Inside, ceiling heights shifted intentionally, creating moments of compression and release that felt both dynamic and comfortable.
One of the most defining elements of the remodel is the front entry—an area Rochman identified early as an opportunity to give the home a stronger sense of arrival. What had once felt understated became a true focal point, anchoring the renovation.
At the center of it all is a sculptural staircase paired with what the team calls the “bamboo monolith”—a large, built-in wall that houses a generous coat closet and helps divide the entry from the rest of the home. Designed to be seen from multiple vantage points, it balances openness with precision.
“We knew it would be visible from a lot of different spaces,” Rochman says. “So we had to design it from a lot of different views.”
From the underside of the stairs to the perspective from above, from the interior to the street-facing windows, every angle mattered. Open risers, glass railings, and fully
finished treads give the staircase a sense of lightness, allowing it to act as a connector rather than a divider. It’s architectural, but never overbearing—precise, but inviting.
Behind the scenes, the project also reflects Rochman Design-Build’s emphasis on proactive discovery. Older homes often hide decades of changes—some thoughtful, others less so.
“Sometimes we feel like archaeologists,” Rochman says. “We’re pulling back layers and seeing what was done in the ’60s, the ’80s, or the last decade.”
As a design-build firm, Rochman can investigate early— opening walls strategically, using fiber optic cameras, and understanding the home’s structure and systems before finalizing plans. That early insight minimizes surprises during construction and ensures the design is grounded in reality, not assumptions.
What made this project especially rewarding, Rochman notes, was the alignment between the homeowners, the house, and the design solution. The clients trusted the process, stayed open to exploration, and committed to a vision that respected the home’s original character while reshaping it for modern life. That kind of alignment is also what allows Rochman Design-Build to foster lasting relationships based on trust with homeowners—something especially important in remodeling, where clients are living in their homes throughout the process.
Different houses need different things, and this one responded beautifully to contrast, verticality, and thoughtful restraint. In a city like Ann Arbor—where homes span centuries, styles, and scales—that kind of sensitivity matters. This award-winning remodel isn’t just about adding space or updating finishes. It’s about understanding how a home works, how it’s seen, and how it feels to live in—today and for decades to come.
And when that happens, the result doesn’t feel like an addition at all. It feels like the house finally became what it was always meant to be.
Learn more at rochmandesignbuild.comcom
AT ESQUIRE INTERIORS, THIS YEAR'S BIGGEST
DESIGN TREND IS PERSONALITY OVER UNIFORMITY
After a decade of staged minimalism—spaces that looked pristine but somehow all felt the same—homeowners are craving something warmer in 2026: rooms with personality, texture, and evidence of real life. “You can only do so many shades of white, khaki, or beige before we’re all living in the same home,” says Amanda Barron, marketing director at Esquire Interiors, the family-run Ann Arbor design destination that has served the community since 1952.
ARTICLE BY LINDSEY DODGE
That shift away from uniformity is showing up across every category Esquire provides and installs, from flooring, cabinetry, countertops, furniture, reupholstery services, bedding, and wallpaper to the window treatments that first put the business on the map.
The result is a year defined less by one “must-have” look and more by a mindset: spaces that feel collected, inviting, and tailored to the people who live there.
If Amanda had to name one headline for 2026, she wouldn’t point to a single sofa silhouette or wallpaper pattern. She’d sum it up in one idea: personality over uniformity. “A cozy, collected, layered look,” she explains, “with a more bespoke, individual feel—pieces that are customized to your home and lifestyle.”
That idea feels especially fitting in Ann Arbor, where design often carries a sense of heritage. “There’s something about Ann Arbor that appreciates tradition,” says Josh Barron, who represents the third generation of leadership at Esquire. “People don’t want to mess it up.” At the same time, Esquire sees a growing appetite—especially among younger homeowners—for bolder choices, mixed patterns, and spaces that tell a story.
Part of Esquire’s story is the partnership behind the scenes: husband-andwife duo Josh and Amanda Barron. Josh joined the business in the stockroom, working his way through every part of the operation, from repairs to installation to management. Amanda, meanwhile, arrived from a career in marketing and advertising before she made the leap to Esquire and began learning the business from the front desk, answering phones and getting to know the customer experience from the ground up. Their strengths are complementary. Josh focuses on the practical details: how a piece works, how it wears, how it will live in a home. Amanda and Esquire’s team of designers shape the emotional arc: what a room feels like, and what a homeowner is trying to express.
For her part, Amanda is most excited about the return of warmth in color palettes. She points to shades like cognac, terracotta, mustard, and saturated neutrals that lean less gray and more espresso. “Even the darker tones are
warmer now,” she says. “They still have that charcoal feeling, but with more richness and depth.”
Alongside warmer palettes, the Barrons are seeing a major rise in texture and natural materials. “We’re seeing more linens, wool, velvet,” Josh says. “A lot of emphasis on organic and natural material.” Wool carpeting, in particular, has taken on new life. “People hear ‘wool’ and think it’s delicate,” he says, but its natural fibers can be surprisingly forgiving, and its warmth and depth are hard to replicate.
Sustainability shows up here in practical ways, through window treatments that help regulate temperature and reduce energy use through Michigan’s big seasonal swings. Josh points to insulating options like cellular shades, and notes that homeowners are increasingly pairing them with automation: blinds that sync with Alexa or Apple so you can set daily schedules, match sunrise and sunset, and create “lightscapes” that make the most of natural light, even when you’re not home.
For homeowners wanting a high-impact update without starting a full renovation, Amanda doesn’t hesitate: “Draperies—side panels—are one of the easiest ways to make a statement in a room,” she says. Even a simple upgrade can dramatically elevate a space, especially when homeowners lean into texture, pattern, and thoughtful layering.
That function-meets-style mindset is reflected in Esquire’s furniture offerings, too. Around five years ago, the Barrons became a retailer of Norwalk Furniture, a high-end, custom upholstery and furniture supplier based in Ohio. The partnership offers homeowners the best of both worlds: comfort and durability, without sacrificing individuality.
Esquire has also expanded beyond Ann Arbor in recent years. A smaller satellite location opened in Plymouth in 2014, offering a curated footprint with their full range of Hunter Douglas products, and bringing Esquire’s services to a new community while encouraging customers to visit the flagship showroom in Ann Arbor for the full range of offerings.
The showroom itself reinforces the philosophy: inviting, approachable, and designed for real life. There’s even a small interactive toddler table tucked into the space—complete with a little fire truck—quietly signaling that families are welcome here (and yes, Josh may have a beer in the fridge for dads stuck in design limbo). As Josh puts it, “We can help you as much or as little as you need.”
And in a city like Ann Arbor—where creativity and quirks are part of the charm—Esquire has seen firsthand how personal objects can transform a space. Josh
“People ask,
‘What’s in style?’ And I go, ‘What do you like? That’s always in style.’”
recalls a client whose home was filled with unexpected finds, including a giant papier-mâché Big Bird she rescued from being thrown away. It was joyful, a little weird, and completely unforgettable; the kind of detail that makes a home feel like someone actually lives there.
In a design year defined by warmth, texture, and the return of individuality, the Barrons’ guidance is refreshingly simple. And when clients arrive hoping for a definitive rule about what they “should” do, Josh brings it back to the only question that matters: “People ask, ‘What’s in style?’ And I go, ‘What do you like? That’s always in style.’”
Learn more at esquireinteriors.com
April 3-4 7:30 pm Power Center
Brooklyn-born, Basel-based choreographer Jeremy Nedd delves into the complexities of dance ownership and cultural appropriation, taking inspiration from rapper 2 Milly’s copyright infringement lawsuit against the video game company behind Fortnite. 734-764-2538
Approachable, sophisticated hospitality and elevated event design find a new home at The Vanguard Ann Arbor
ARTICLE BY EMILY KLIMAS
At The Vanguard Ann Arbor, Autograph Collection the celebration doesn’t begin with the first toast, the opening slide of a presentation, or the first bite. It begins the moment you enter the building and your eyes begin to feast on the rich design details. A magnifying glass rests atop the Cyclopedia of Michigan . Blue-tinted china hangs above the fireplace. Greenery spills from the ceiling in the Angell Dining Room, while massive, mirrored pillars anchor the Victors Ballroom. Nothing at The Vanguard is accidental. Each corner, each surface is shaped with purpose.
“Every Autograph hotel has a kind of muse,” says Director of Sales and Marketing Emily MacIntyre. “Ours is the concept of the common and uncommon.”
That ethos is rooted in educator, diplomat, and longest-serving U-M president James Burrill Angell’s belief in creating an uncommon education for the common individual. The Vanguard translates that philosophy into design—pairing familiar comforts with unexpected details that invite guests to linger and discover something new. Throughout the hotel, classic materials and welcoming forms are juxtaposed with moments of surprise: thoughtful artifacts, layered textures, and spaces that reveal themselves slowly. The result is an environment that feels both approachable and elevated, where intellectual curiosity is rewarded and celebration is shaped as much by atmosphere as by occasion.
“The design team wanted it to be upscale, but still approachable—because that’s Ann Arbor,” MacIntyre says. That design philosophy is carried through every corner of the hotel, including its event spaces.
CONTINUED >
The Vanguard boasts two intimate yet distinct private dining rooms, located within La Serre, the hotel’s outstanding restaurant. The Audobon Private Dining Room—inspired by the Audubon Book of Birds, the first book housed at the University of Michigan Library—offers a quiet, contemplative environment. Dark, curtain-like paneling cascades along the back wall, brushing against a deep leather banquette evoking the intimacy of historic library alcoves designed for study and collaboration. A built-in wine display reinforces the room’s scholarly undertone, immersing guests in an atmosphere that feels thoughtful, refined, and distinctly bookish. True to its intellectual tone, the Audubon Room often hosts university dinners, professorship gatherings, and intimate conversations centered around food, wine, and ideas.
The hotel’s second private dining room, the Angell, draws its inspiration from the meaning of the restaurant’s name: La Serre is French for greenhouse. Here, the atmosphere feels earthy and quietly immersive. Lush greenery cascades from the ceiling, softening the space and drawing guests inward, while richly patterned botanical wallpaper, reminiscent of naturalist illustrations, rewards closer inspection. Dark wood paneling anchors the room with warmth and depth, as sculptural ring pendants cast a gentle, ceremonial glow overhead. In contrast to the library-inspired Audubon Room, this space leans into nature and texture, offering an intimate setting that feels cultivated rather than constructed. The space naturally lends itself to bridal showers, baby showers, dinner parties, and intimate wedding celebrations.
Beyond the private dining rooms, La Serre extends The Vanguard’s design philosophy into a more social, outward-facing space. Bathed in light and warmth, the French brasserie carries forward the hotel’s “uncommon and common” influence while grounding it in history—its name and sensibility nodding to James Burrill Angell’s time spent in France. The common barstool becomes uncommon with upholstery in deep blue with quaint scenes etched in white telling a story of the French countryside. Large ferns and curved booths speak of comfort and hospitality. MacIntyre points to the environment as the lasting memory. “When you think about events and what people will remember, a lot of that comes down to the environment,” she says. “When people take the time to design a space thoughtfully, it really matters.”
That same commitment to thoughtful design extends to The Vanguard’s larger event spaces, where gatherings expand in scale without losing intention. Home to the largest ballroom in Ann Arbor, the hotel is equipped to host everything from weddings and business retreats to large conferences and community-wide events. The Victors Ballroom anchors the floor with mirrored pillars, richly patterned carpeting, and
“When you think about events and what people will remember, a lot of that comes down to the environment. When people take the time to design a space thoughtfully, it really matters.”
bespoke floor-to-ceiling drapery, its lighting casting subtle prism effects throughout recessed alcoves. Designed for versatility, the space can be partitioned or reimagined entirely. The Champions Ballroom offers a similarly refined experience on a more intimate scale and has already become a favorite for University of Michigan programs.
Across the floor, natural light pours in through walls of windows, softening traditionally formal spaces and creating an atmosphere that feels open and welcoming. Auxiliary meeting rooms support smaller-scale gatherings, while thoughtfully designed pocket rooms—intended for private calls or moments of focused work—reflect the Vanguard’s human-centered hospitality. Together, the collection of spaces allows hosts to return time and again, discovering new configurations and experiences rooted in the same spirit of curiosity, flexibility, and elevated design.
As gatherings continue to evolve—becoming more personal, more design-driven—The Vanguard stands apart as a space built to meet the moment. By offering a collection of environments that range from intimate to expansive, each shaped by a shared philosophy yet distinct in character, the hotel invites guests to return again and again for different celebrations and seasons of life.
For MacIntyre and her team, the goal extends beyond hosting events to shaping experiences for their guests that endure. “Being a pillar of their memory is important to us,” she says.
To learn more visit vanguardannarbor.com
HOUSEN2HOME TURNS EMPTY SPACES INTO HOMES FOR VETERANS, FAMILIES, AND OTHERS FINDING STABILITY AFTER HOMELESSNESS
“That’s not going to be the story this time.”
That was the thought that ran through Ruth Ann Logue’s mind over and over again.
She had just finished a conversation with someone she knew. Someone who had seen hard times before. A single mother with three young children who, due to a family tragedy, had become homeless. Through grit and determination, this young mom had found housing for her family in Ypsilanti.
She was excited. But she was also measured—the way someone becomes when life has required them to develop callouses just to keep going.
This wasn’t the first time she had stood in this moment. As a child, she had experienced homelessness herself. She told Logue about leaving the shelter and finally moving into a house. They had a roof, she said—but it never felt like home. She told Logue, “I’m not even sure I had a bed in that home that was my own bed.”
ARTICLE BY MARIA KARPIEL
That house had been “furnished” slowly, shaped by necessity rather than choice. Furniture came from the side of the road, picked up only if there was room in the car. Stray pieces were gathered when possible, stitched together over time.
“That’s not going to be the story this time.”
Determined, Logue knew what she needed to do.
She gathered a small group of friends and asked if they would help her get the house ready for this family. Together, they collected everything a home requires—dishes, towels, pots and pans, a couch. But this wasn’t just any family. This was a family Logue knew. And she wanted the details to matter.
She paid attention to who these children were—and to what this young mom had quietly longed for herself. The girls loved pink and purple. They loved princesses. Her little boy loved robots and the color blue. And so, when the family arrived, those details were already woven into the space, waiting for them.
Fresh flowers sat on the table. A cookie jar was filled with homemade cookies.
That night, a mom and her children—who had already endured more than most—walked into something far more than a roof over their heads or a room with a bed. They walked into a home.
Their home.
What began as a single act of refusal—refusing to let a family’s next chapter start in emptiness—has grown into one of Washtenaw County’s most quietly transformative nonprofits. Today, Logue serves alongside friends Ginger Raymond, Liz Gadway, and Peggy Farrell as the co-founder and executive director of HouseN2Home, which has furnished nearly 2,000 homes across Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Chelsea, Dexter, Saline, Whitmore Lake, and beyond. These homes are more than houses—they’re spaces where people can thrive.
Clients are referred through caseworkers at more than 50 partner organizations, including shelters, hospitals, schools, the VA, housing nonprofits, and agencies supporting families, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, young people, and those navigating recovery. HouseN2Home purposefully enters the story at a precise moment—after housing is secured, but before it feels like home.
What sets HouseN2Home apart isn’t simply that they provide everything. It’s that they listen.
Clients aren’t handed a generic bundle of items. They’re asked about color and comfort, about what “home” should feel like. Sometimes that question is difficult because after long periods of just trying to survive, wants can go quiet.
So Logue and her team guide gently. “Can you remember a time when you were somewhere that really felt like home,” she might ask.
One woman’s answer: Her grandmother’s house. Blue tones. Antique furniture. A sense of calm. HouseN2Home found an oak headboard and an upholstered blue chair with an ottoman, creating a bedroom that echoed that memory—nostalgia turned into a fresh start.
Dignity is the heart of the work. Not charity that says, “Take what you can get .” But care that says, “You are worth being known.”
Every move still includes the same welcome: a meal, a cookie jar filled with homemade cookies, and fresh flowers (or a living plant). It’s a simple ritual with a powerful message: This is your home.
Behind that emotional impact is a significant operational effort—and one partnership makes it possible.
Trinity Health provides HouseN2Home with more than 30,000 square feet of storage space on its campus, rented for $1 a year. Logue calls it essential. That generosity has eliminated major overhead costs, allowing the organization to focus resources where they matter most.
Since moving into the space in July 2019, HouseN2Home has expanded steadily, transforming what began in garages and basements into a volunteer-powered system capable of furnishing hundreds of homes each year. Inside “storage,” it’s part warehouse, part workshop. A repair shop restores sturdiness to furniture, a paint shop updates tired finishes, and a sewing team re-covers and refreshes fabric details—keeping quality items out of landfills and giving them new life.
HouseN2Home is largely volunteer-run, with roles ranging from organizing and repairing furniture to painting pieces and prepping homes for move-in. Volunteers are always needed, as the number of families they can serve is directly tied to the number of hands available.
It’s those who experience move-in day who see the transformation happen in real time. An empty room becomes a child’s bedroom. A living room becomes a place to exhale. A kitchen becomes a place where someone bakes again.
And a family that has carried far too much for far too long walks into something once unimaginable given their circumstances—a home they can be proud of.
To learn more, volunteer, or donate, visit housen2home.org
What started as helping one family has grown into an organization that has furnished nearly 2,000 homes in Washtenaw County for people in need. To make this possible, HouseN2Home relies heavily on donated goods, and a few items make the greatest difference:
Couches: Every home needs one, and they’re always in short supply.
Beds and Mattresses: The most requested item; mattresses must be in excellent condition and are fully encased for safety.
Dressers: For clients whose belongings have lived in bags, a dresser can be a turning point.
Household Items : Dishes, pots and pans, towels, lamps, small appliances—along with art and décor that help a space feel finished and personal.
Volunteers: Volunteers are always needed. The number of families HouseN2Home can serve is directly tied to the number of hands available.
FEBRUARY 28TH & MARCH 1ST
Brick Bash
Skyline High School | 11:00 AM
Brick Bash is a hands-on LEGO-building exhibition for all ages, and a fundraiser for the Skyline High School band program. Play with piles of LEGO or Duplo for the little ones, meet and build with Tim and Zach from Season 2 of the LEGO Masters TV show, and visit vendors to find out-of-production LEGO sets to expand your collection. Saturday will also include a drumline performance. Learn more at brickbash.com.
MARCH 2ND
Literati Bookstore | 6:30 PM
Join Literati Bookstore for a book club discussion of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. This tempestuous tale of intense passion, bitterness, and vengeance is an enduring classic. Read the book, join the discussion, then find a screening of the new film adaption directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Margot Robbie. Learn more at literatibookstore.com/upcoming-events.
MARCH 7TH
Kensington Metro Park | 8:00 AM
Lace up your sneakers for the Time to Paddy 5k/10k & Lucky 13.1 Half Marathon. This St. Patrick’s-themed run is perfect for the whole family. The fun includes great swag, chip-timing, live results and awards, free photos, a "biggest team" contest, a kids' dash, great postrace food, and more! Sign up and learn more at runsignup.com/bodiesrc.
MARCH 7TH
HOMES Campus | 4:00 PM
Celebrate National Reading Month with books & brews! Join The Crooked Nook for a cozy, magical Book Fair for Grown-Ups featuring a curated selection of books for every reader, delicious beer from HOMES Brewery, and whimsical, bookish vibes you won’t want to miss. Come sip, browse, and fall in love with your next favorite read! Learn more at facebook.com/crookednookmi.
MARCH 11TH
Dixboro House | 6:00 PM
Join Dixboro House for this month’s Golden Hour Wine Tasting, featuring a curated selection of pours from Tirriddis Winery. This 45-minute experience is thoughtfully guided by a wine expert, offering insight into Tirriddis’ unique approach, winemaking philosophy, and standout bottles. After the tasting, Tirriddis wines will be available for purchase at special retail pricing to take home. Learn more at thedixboroproject.com/upcoming-events
MARCH 14TH
Hill Auditorium | 7:30 PM
The A2SO invites you on a journey through soundscapes of mystery, whimsy, and wonder. Opus Klassik’s 2023 Singer of the Year, soprano Juliana Zara, stars in Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, a musical expression of a child’s view of heaven, plus Unsuk Chin’s Alice in Wonderland-inspired Puzzles and Games. For tickets and more information visit a2so.org
MARCH 19TH
Cozy Craft Club: Mama Mia
Michigan Theater | 7:30 PM
The Michigan Theater is launching a new community living room screening, the Cozy Craft Club! Bring your knitting, a coloring book, crochet, embroidery, or any project and enjoy a screening of Mamma Mia! with the house lights on. Come in your pajamas, bring a friend, and enjoy a relaxing evening in Ann Arbor’s community living room. Learn more at marquee-arts.org
MARCH 20TH
An Irish Celebration: Martin Hayes & the Common Ground Ensemble
Hill Auditorium | 7:30 PM
UMS presents legendary Irish fiddler Martin Hayes in a wide-ranging concert celebration featuring an exciting variety of special guests, traditional sean-nós singing and dancing, and modern takes on Irish traditions. Visit ums.org for tickets and more information.
MARCH 21ST & 22ND
Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds
The biggest and longest running home show in the area, the 34th Annual BRAG Ann Arbor Home Show is your opportunity to connect with trusted professionals and find inspiration and information for your projects. Featuring more than 150 exhibitors, this indoor show includes home finishes, furnishings, decor, designers, builders, remodelers, local crafts people, and more! Learn more at bragannarbor.net/homeshow
ARTICLE BY JOHN DOWNING
My wife and I grew up west of the Rocky Mountains. After completing our bachelor’s degrees, I was accepted into the PhD program in the Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences Department at the University of Michigan.
Whether it is conducting experiments in a lab or fixing a leaky sink, learning and problem solving are what keep me engaged with work. I love the internal and external feedback of seeing a job well done.
While pursuing my degrees, I picked up extra work as a handyman. I've always enjoyed fixing things and working with my hands. One referral led to another, and soon I had plenty of work. Being self-employed allowed us to stay in this town we’ve come to call home.
We love the friends we have made during our time in A2, the District Library, the excitement around fall, summer fun on the river, access to art and culture, and so much more. We couldn’t move away!
As a handyman, I have been able to interact with neighbors I wouldn't have met otherwise. They have enriched my life by exposing me to new venues, music, cultures, worldviews, ideas, foods, and more.
To learn more visit griffinhandymanservices.com.
