Itβs easy to miss the unassuming storefront sandwiched between a McDonaldβs and an empty lot in Detroitβs Old Redford neighborhood. Behind the whitewashed faΓ§ade, however, is the headquarters of the increasingly influential Nine Design + Homes, which has occupied the vintage building since October.Μύ
Named after their former Ferndale location on Nine Mile Road, the 10,000-square-foot space is the latest effort of Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas of HGTVβs hit Bargain Block fame. Housing a community space/classroom, a gallery and sales floor, and offices/a workshop, the Grand River location represents an expansion of their brand as well as an ongoing commitment to their adopted city. Μύ
Hello MotownΜύ
Relative newcomers, the pair (partners in business and in life, they explain) moved to the Motor City five years ago in search of abundant opportunity and cheap real estate. They met in Colorado, while Thomas was in graduate school (heβs a carpenter with a doctorate in physics; Bynum is an artist), and had been flipping houses in Denver but were increasingly frustrated by the cityβs prices. Μύ
Bynum had long heard about Detroitβs creative community. He took a red-eye on his birthday in January 2017 and looked at eight properties, purchasing one for just $12,000. βI didnβt actually see the inside of it,β he remembers, adding that when he did βit was a disaster.β Undeterred, the pair sold their last Colorado property in August and moved east. A few years and houses later, HGTV came knocking. Μύ
Working with real estate expert and Detroit resident Shea Hicks-Whitfield, the pair purchases modest city properties from sources such as the Detroit Land Bank Authority. Their goal is to buy several run-down or abandoned houses on a block and renovate them into artful yet affordable (and fully furnished) starter homes. Then they move on to another block.Μύ
Bynum credits television with nurturing his design sense, adding that while growing up he admired shows such as Frasier and Will and Grace. The coupleβs creativity and accessible and affordable style have been large parts of Bargain Blockβs appeal, with an episode on season one, which debuted in April 2021, featuring Bynum creating free-form wall art from cedar strips.Μύ
Community reaction has been positive, they say. βWe are taking houses that are heavily blighted and not being lived in,β Thomas explains. βPeople want boarded-up houses to be fixed up. β¦ Itβs a positive thing for everyone.βΜύ
Fallen trees, plumbing problems, and dry rot have been among the challenges.Μύ βSome houses were too far gone,β Thomas explains, but more often than not they take the leap. βItβs really hard to pass up a $5,000 house, even if itβs missing a wall.β
Theyβve been consistently impressed by the workmanship found in even the cityβs more modest residences. βThe craftsmanship and quality of those houses was insane,β Bynum explains, adding that βthey are a testament to the time period [in which they were built].βΜύ
Signature StyleΜύ
At the end of each episode in season one, the pair packed up their air mattress and other belongings in a grocery cart, moving down the street to their next challenge. That cart is now located near the entrance of the store, symbolic perhaps of how far theyβve come. Design assistant Justin Mueller, on board since July, says the retail space is a natural extension of the show and concentrates on an interesting mix of furniture and accessories from all eras that fits the brand. βWe weave in vintage and new for an elevated look,β he explains.
That mix is a major part of the appeal. βMoney shouldnβt stop you from having a great house,β Bynum says, describing their interiors as βbudget conscious, with style.β Always on the hunt for the underpriced and unexpected, they βlove thrifting, Facebook Marketplace, garage sales, and, when we have time, estate sales,β says Thomas. They also haunt local Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations, especially the one in Farmington Hills. βAt this point, they pull things we like.βΜύ
Some finds end up on the show, others for sale in the shop. Featured during a recent visit was a sinuous curved sofa newly re-covered in sherpa and priced at $1,200. βThe fabric on it was awful, but the shape drew us in,β Mueller explains.Μύ
βWe look for anything unique,β adds Bynum, who decorates each Bargain Block house according to a theme. βI love the β80s, and Iβm really into geometric fabrics,β he adds. Not everything is old, however. βOne way to style a room is to add one new item,β Bynum says, βmaybe new accent chairs or a new dining table with thrifted chairs.β Plans for the store include more artisan and home renovation workshops, says brand director Emmi Mayo. βWe are trying to offer things to the community that might be missing,β Bynum says.Μύ
Thatβs a WrapΜύ
Bynum and Thomas recently wrapped up filming season two, featuring homes on Detroitβs west side; it will air this summer. You can see them now on Rock the Block, which pits them against other HGTV renovators. Along the way, they say, theyβve fallen in love with Detroit, its people, and its iconic architecture. Theyβve enjoyed exploring the cityβs vast architectural heritage. Bynum even admits to coveting the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Palmer Woods. βAesthetically, that is my dream house,β he says. βThe paneling, the windows β¦ I just love it.βΜύ
Both are big fans of Detroitβs historic districts, including Boston-Edison and Palmer Woods. βTheyβre so different than the type of renovations we do. It would be fun to do something like that,β Thomas says, adding they might in the future.
βYou never know.βΜύ
Season two of Bargain Block brings some changes. The couple no longer moves into every house they rehabilitate. βI donβt miss that element,β Thomas adds. Bynum agrees: βIt just makes our lives so much easier.β Neither count a future move out, but it wonβt be for the show. βWe are always open to a better deal,β Bynum says, adding they keep their eyes on whatβs available in Sherwood Forest, Boston-Edison, and Rosedale Park.Μύ
In the works is a possible spin-off series and their own βmoody and eclecticβ furniture line. Bynum hopes to make and sell more of his original art through the store. βIβve been blown away by the response,β he says. Theyβve also begun offering at-home design services, helping people get their look at home. Upgrades to the store, including a new eye-catching mural, are also on tap.Μύ Μύ
They look back over the past five years with wonder. βWe have felt a lot of momentum building,β Bynum says. βI sometimes canβt believe how far weβve come.β
Nine Design + Homes (21616 Grand River Ave, Detroit; 313.680.8210; ) is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, by appointment. Visit for more on Bargain Bock.Μύ
This story is part of the March 2022 issue of ΒιΆΉ·¬ΊΕ Detroit. Read more in ourΜύdigital edition.Μύ
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