52 weeks of design (kitty & company) week 46

By Kitty Golding
Kitty & Company will be conducting a series of short interviews with Chelsea Residents for 52 weeks, bringing to light differing personalities and design styles in our community.  Perhaps you will meet someone new through these weekly interviews or perhaps it will be YOU! Stay tuned and follow us each week – we now introduce you to  Mr. Terris Ahrens.
 
 
 
 
What is your current profession?  I am the  Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director as of 9 months ago.  I couldn't be happier to be in a position to help and work with so many great people, who all do so much to make Chelsea a great place to live, work and visit.
Your family members: My girlfriend, Monica Juleff and my brother, Traver Lucas, who as of July is the new owner of Brahma Haus.
People may think of me as: Who knows?  But Really I am: Just doing what one can.
When did you move to Chelsea? I was working in Chelsea as early as 1999, but grew up in Manchester and moved to Chelsea in January of this year.
What do you love about where you currently live?  Proximity to things we do and love and we love our backyard! We also live in a piece of history – a fully renovated 1890’s Schoolhouse, including a finished basement.  Fascinatingly, the original chalk board and the bell/bell tower are still in place.
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would it be? On a Great Lake, no doubt!
What three words describe your style?  Rustic, Practical, Classic.
Who most influenced your design styles? Music and the American Filmmaker, Wes Anderson ( Some of his films include: Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Isle of Dogs, and Rushmore).
What are you most inspired by in your design/decor?   Traveling is very inspiring to me.
As you think about the home in which you grew up, what elements did you like and do you think you have incorporated some of them in your own home?  The outdoor environments everywhere I've lived, have by far been the most impressionable spaces in my life.  Whether it be the expansive gardens my mom cultivated, or the areas always available for games and sport,  genuine memories have stemmed from my yards.  My current home offers these same aspects.
When entering your home, how do you want it to feel? C A L M I N G !
What is one element of design that you do not like?   Excess!  I don’t like it when a room is too cluttered.
What is the biggest design issue you struggle with? Flooring is a challenge – as the only floors I really love are hardwood or beautiful tile.  Both of these tend to be higher in price, and not always budget friendly.  We currently have a mix of flooring including,  original hardwood, some laminate and some carpet.
If you were moving and could only select one item from your home to keep, what would it be?  The globe...but this would be a very hard choice over the giant print I own from the World's Fair in Chicago, circa 1893.  (Side note:  I love maps and this amber toned globe is quite large with a nice stand).
Which room in your home gets the most use?   The basement for sure! I use our bar top as my standing desk whenever working from home. The loudest stereo in the house is located in the basement and doubles as our jam space and workout area. As far as design in the basement, we keep it fun -on the wall we have speakers, puzzles of Michigan, and art from our friends.
Is there any item in your home, you regret buying? Yes, I should have bought the nicer brand of toaster oven because everything burns!
No room is complete without: Music.
How does having a pet influence your decisions?   Our puppy Pearl for sure has had an impact on our design – we don't buy dainty things.  She is a three-year-old Miniature Australian Labradoodle, also the runt of the litter.
What did you do to pass the time during the COVID-19 State shutdown? We biked, hiked, and worked on the yard. We may have also picked up the hobby of Axe Throwing...
If you had $1000 to buy a piece of art, what would it be? – A pencil or ink sketch.
I tend to be: A Collector of “stuff”
A few of your favorite things!
Movie – Gattaca
Favorite Historical Place You have visited –  The Smokies
Scent – Timber
Music–  Everything, except Pop Country
TV Show- Peaky Blinders
Meal – “Bento Box”
Travel Destination (on your bucket list)– Scandinavia
Season –Spring
Color- Purple, or whatever the name of the color is when setting on the lake!
Favorite thing to Collect – Movies, but I had to stop, now I collect records.
Museum –Natural History Museum at the U of M.  I have so many great childhood memories from visiting there.
Hobbies- Music, Golf and Travel.
Item on a bookshelf –  The One Who Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
Favorite Design Style - Utilitarian, it’s useful and always looks good.
Favorite Tree or Plant- White Pine
Kitty’s Note: Terris and I met at Robin Hills Farms, I believe one night this summer during their outdoor music opening.  I know Covid has thrown a wrench into many people’s businesses and work this year, and yet Terris has preserved and marched forward with the Chamber business reimagining set in place events that could no longer be held.   For example, the business after hours event was eliminated during the pandemic,  so he created the Business Spotlight Series which is a weekly live interview with a local business owner. I know Terris finds satisfaction in being able to help a community grow and prosper, especially when it is most needed. For more chamber events and updates, go to chelseamich.com.   

 
 

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