Seller Story: Robert Metcalf, Ann Arbor, MI
“My house was the sixth home Bob Metcalf designed and stands only a few blocks from where he lived. From the street, it’s just a little low-profile box in a hill, but you walk in and really get the wow-factor. There’s a lower level and the front kicks out. That’s how Metcalf designed his houses–he knew how to put a house on a site. He mapped out floor plans by pacing lots, incorporating his designs into the landscape which he considered to be an extension of the living space. So it’s like I live in a treehouse–and my friends are all mad I don’t throw more parties.
Metcalf always included furniture in his sketches, often by the mid-century pioneers like Eames, Bertoia, Nakashima. He would purchase pieces at a discounted rate and would sell the furniture to his client at-cost, because the space was built specifically for that chair, table, or sofa. Furnishings were as important as the home’s design. He was a perfectionist that way.
One of the things I loved about him was that he wasn’t out for the profit, fame, or glory. He considered it an honor to build the homes that his clients were going to raise their families in, so there was no cutting corners. He did things right because that’s just how you did them. To live in this house, and to have known him, someone of that character with that much generosity, and pride in his work– I consider myself very fortunate. I wish everyone could have known him. Though I’m sure he’s looking down right now wishing I would move this or that to the left or to the right.” –C.B., neighbor
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Waterford "Colleen" Crystal Footed Brandy Decanter With Stopper
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Vintage Glass Horse Bridle Rosette Button Brooch
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Oil Painting of a Winter Landscape with Horse Drawn Carriage
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Wahl Bronze Elephant Desk Pen Set, Early 20th Century
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William Woollett Engraving "A View of Foots Cray Place in Kent"
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Burberry Thomas Bear in Metallic Silver
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Jevgenijus Litvinas Nocturne Seascape Oil Painting
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David Berger Still Life With Violin Oil Painting
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14K Two Tone Hammered Hoop Earrings
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Kevin Kasik Landscape Oil Painting "Bluebonnetts with Gathering Storm," 2024
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East Asian Polychrome Carved Wood Seated Vairocana Buddha Figure
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Salvatore Ferragamo Vara Bow Hobo Handbag in Bronze Metallic Leather
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"Joy of Cooking" by Irma S. Rombauer and Marion R. Becker and More Cookbooks
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John Nieto Serigraph "Buffalo Rendez-Vous," 1996
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Edmé and Esyllte, and Plenty by Tracy Reese Multicolor Patterned Dresses
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Bohemian Style Cut to Clear Emerald and Cobalt Crystal Wine Glasses
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10K White Sapphire Solitaire Pendant on Gold-Filled Chain
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2000 Pokémon Team Rocket Machop 1st Edition Graded CGC 10
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José M. Lima Oil Painting of Floral Still Life, 2023
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Britain's, Kingcast with Other Civil War and More Toy Soldiers
Was Metcalf involved in your interior decorating or renovation projects?
When I moved into my Metcalf house, I saw the previous owner had put linoleum floor into the kitchen, and that just wasn’t going to work. So I drove to Detroit a few times before I finally found some concrete-looking porcelain tile I liked, and I showed them to Bob who said, “I think that’s the ugliest tile I’ve ever seen in my life.”
So he would come by during lunch every day to oversee my kitchen floor renovation, and when it was done, he agreed my tile choice looked “kind of nice” after all. He didn’t suffer fools gladly, but he had the most marvelous sense of humor. Very militaristic, but with a twinkle in his eye.
What are you interested to see in the sale?
He had these beautiful dining room chairs by Nakashima. As talented as he was, he really appreciated the craftsmanship of these mid-century furniture designers. I remember him telling me that Nakashima was a guest speaker at the University while he was Dean, and Bob had him over for dinner and they sat in those chairs.