Welcome Mat: Humble Design founders to debut CW television show

Soap at TEDx

Humble Design founders to host 'Welcome Home'

Humble Design, the Pontiac-based charity that has been recognized across the country for helping needy families furnish their homes, is taking its mission to the small screen. Founder Treger Strasberg and her husband Rob will host a show on the CW Network called "Welcome Home" that will follow a family each week facing difficult circumstances as they try to find their footing in a new living space. The show, which will be part of the CW's One Magnificent Morning programming, will follow the Strasbergs and their clients as they work with a team of designers and volunteers as they move into a new place to call their own. The show "will teach viewers the importance of giving back in their communities, to never give up when faced with a tough situation, and to have gratitude for the basic living necessities that we often take for granted," according to a press release. It will debut at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 6.

Longtime Allen Park furniture store celebrates 'Grand Reopening'

If you've noticed a new look at Allen Park's 97-year-old Metropolitan Furniture, it's for good reason. A busted pipe flooded the showroom earlier this year, forcing it to close for 12 weeks to remodel. But the owners say their story is "an interesting lemons into lemonade" tale. They used their misfortune as an opportunity to completely remodel their 30,000 square foot store. Now finished with new floors, walls, even a new layout, Metropolitan Furniture, 6670 Allen Road, is now celebrating with a "Grand Reopening" Sale. Go to www.metropolitanfurniture.net. 

ReStore challenge puts local designers to test

Looking for some innovative design ideas and want to support a good cause at the same time? Check out the Design Challenge from 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 28575 Grand River Avenue in Farmington Hills. Twenty one designers from across Metro Detroit will put together vignettes using at least two anchor items from the ReStore and their vignettes will be voted on by a panel of guest judges. There will be a separate student showcase for 17 design students from several local colleges.There will also be hors d'oeuvre and cocktails. Tickets are $25 if purchased online through Sept. 23 and $35 at the door. Proceeds go to the scholarship fund of the professional Women in Building of the Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan and Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County. Go to https://www.habitatoakland.org/design-challenge/.

Will Taylor is a New York-based blogger and author known for his fun, bright, modern style. Now he's introduced a furniture collection with online retailer Grandin Road that brings it to life. Described as a marriage between Scandinavian simplicity and coastal comfort, the Bright Bazaar collection includes furniture, some case goods, textiles and accents. Go to grandinroad.com and search "Bright Bazaar."

Detroit wine stroll returns downtown

Years ago, my husband and I spent our anniversary in the perfect way -- strolling through downtown Detroit on a bright fall day, sipping on wine and taking in some of the city's most architecturally significant spots on the Detroit Art Deco Society's Wine Stroll. This super fun stroll returns to the city from 1-5 p.m. Sept. 29. At least eight stops are on this year's tour, including House of Vin, Vicente's Cuban, Avalon Cafe and Bakery and The Fountain at PARC. Wines are paired with an appetizer at each location. Tickets are $45 in advance or $55 at the door. Go to http://daads.org/