Building Mister Style Birmingham

Long time no see! David here, back with another entry in the Mister Everything blog! This time, I’m highlighting the big, beautiful journey that is Mister Style Birmingham. It’s time to sit back and sip a bevy while I tell you the wild and whimsical tale of how our new showroom came to be!

Birmingham Beginnings

If you had told me years ago that I’d one day be opening the U.S. headquarters of Mister Style in downtown Birmingham, Michigan, I wouldn’t believe you...

Don’t get me wrong, Birmingham has always had a special place in my heart, it’s just surreal. Being born in Michigan, it felt like this little gem of a city. Stylish, vibrant, and buzzing with an energy that stood apart from the neighbourhoods around it.

It was where you went when you wanted something just a little more polished, a little more elevated. So, to stand here now, having officially opened the doors to Mister Style Birmingham at 288 E Maple Rd on August 8th, 2025, feels unbelievable.

This wasn’t just about opening another store. This was about coming home.

The Journey to Birmingham

Mister Style’s story started across the border in Windsor, Ontario. Back then, we were just a small home staging company with big dreams. Over the years, what began as styling real estate listings quickly evolved into something bigger: a full-service design firm. Before long, we outfitted our office into our flagship showroom and design studio at 1055 Ottawa Street, creating a destination for anyone who wanted to step into the world of Mister Style and leave inspired and fulfilled.

We’ve since expanded further, offering design services in Naples, Florida, and working on projects across North America, but Michigan never left my mind. I always knew that if the right space in Birmingham came along, I’d have to do everything I could to get it. Birmingham’s mix of timeless charm and modern luxury feels perfectly in line with Mister Style’s own DNA.

When the opportunity came to reimagine the space that many locals knew as The Italian Dish, I knew it was fate. It wasn’t just a chance to open another showroom; it was a chance to weave Mister Style into the fabric of a community I’ve admired since I was young. But come on, a glassware and cutlery store doesn’t seem like the easiest thing to transition into something of our design standards? Yeah, you’re right…

From Glassware to Interior Design Haven

Let me tell you, turning a beloved glassware store into a luxury showroom and design studio is no walk in the park. From navigating permits to working closely with local contractors, the renovation process was FULL of challenges. But design is all about transformation, and I knew that despite these challenges, we’d end up with something extraordinary.

We started by creating a blank canvas. New light wood flooring instantly brightened the entire showroom, giving it that fresh, inviting feel I wanted people to experience the moment they stepped inside. We wanted to immediately grab your attention and give you a taste of what we’re all about as soon as you lay eyes on the place. We needed something bold and beautiful that also balanced subtlety.

That focal point quickly became our fantasy brownstone wall with a butterfly effect, flanked by the dramatic Houston sconces from Regina Andrew Detroit. Blending these stunning as our welcome area worked well, but it needed one more thing, and our team had the incredible idea of refinishing our original desk from our flagship showroom in Windsor. Of course, I couldn’t resist bringing a bit of our history into the new design. We upcycled the front desk from our original showroom, giving it a fresh look with custom work. It’s a little nod to where we started, standing proudly front and centre in the new chapter of our story.

Back to lighting — Regina Andrew, one of our favourite vendors who happens to be based out of Detroit, supplied all of the lighting throughout the space, including the four show-stopping spider pendants that now hang from the ceiling. These fixtures don’t just light the space; they spark conversation, which is exactly what I wanted. It’s a cohesive feature throughout the space that all work together while each having their own distinct look and feel. It was important to utilize them in this project, not just because we love their product, but because including a Detroit company in our Michigan showroom just made sense.

Every detail throughout the space has a purpose. As you waltz passed our built-ins and through the art gallery, you meet the back area under the loft, which now serves as a chic bar with leathered granite counters and built-ins, perfect for events, gatherings, or simply offering clients a coffee (or something stronger) during design meetings. The staircase leading to the loft features a custom Missoni runner, bold and stylish, while upstairs, the loft has been transformed into our design meeting space. With custom wallpaper, more built-ins, and a bird’s-eye view of the entire showroom, it’s the perfect place to dream up beautiful interiors with clients.

And then there are the gallery walls, each one carefully curated with high-quality prints from illustrators and photographers. Art has always been a key part of Mister Style, it’s what ties a design together and showcases personality. With this space, I wanted the walls to feel alive, inspiring conversation and sparking creativity.

The Vibe: Warm, Inviting, and Inspiring

When people walk into Mister Style Birmingham, I want them to feel something. Not just “oh, this is a nice store,” but that warm, welcoming vibe that invites them to slow down, wander, and let the design inspiration sink in. While it’s not the usual vibe you’d find in a home furnishings store, I almost wanted it to feel like a coffee shop. Not in a physical sense, of course, but in the way that it’s a gathering place, always open and welcoming a sense of community.

The space is luxurious but approachable; you’ll see statement pieces and high-end finishes, but it’s never stuffy or unwelcoming. It’s a place where design lovers can mingle, talk about interiors, and discover pieces that make them excited to go home and reimagine their own spaces. Birmingham has always been about community, and I wanted this showroom to feel like part of that community fabric from day one. It’s what makes us proud to be here, to introduce the community to a homeware store that doesn’t feel corporate or clinical, but one that screams “wander inside and stay a while.”

Thoughtfully Curated

We’ve curated this showroom with all of my personal favourites, pieces and collections that I’m genuinely excited to share with Birmingham. From our Jonathan Adler collection of playful, bold décor to the fair-trade pillows that add warmth and texture, every item is hand-selected with love. Our Cereria Molla candle selection is another highlight. If you’ve never experienced the way scent can transform a space, you’ll want to take one (or three) home.

We offer such a wide variety of furnishings that there’s truly something for everyone, whether you’re into glam, mid-mod, boho, japandi, or anything under the sun. We’ve got it all and we’ll make it work beautifully in your space. Believe me, we’re honest. If you come in with a photo of your home and you’re ready to buy something that just doesn’t feel right, we’re here to guide you in the right direction and make sure you’re beyond happy with any purchase.

Of course, we don’t stop at physical goods. Mister Style Birmingham doubles as a full-service design studio. This is where I get to sit down with clients, spread out swatches, map out ideas, and bring visions to life. Whether it’s furnishing a new condo, building out your commercial business space, or reimagining a family home, our design services are as much a part of Mister Style as the showrooms themselves.

A very, very Grand Opening

I’ll never forget the feeling of opening day. After months of dust, construction noise, and endless planning, to finally see the space complete and to share it with the people who mean the most to me, was unforgettable. My family and friends were there, cheering us on. Our neighbours in downtown Birmingham welcomed us with open arms. When the first guests stepped through the doors and their eyes lit up at what we’d created, I knew all the hard work had paid off.

Standing there in the finished showroom, with the light streaming in and the space buzzing with energy, I felt like I’d come full circle. From staging my first home in Windsor, to building a flagship showroom, to designing homes in Florida, and now bringing Mister Style to Birmingham, it all felt like part of a bigger journey.

But, if you know me, you know this isn’t it, there’s always something more, something new. While this is a big piece of our ever-expanding Mister Style puzzle, it’s all a part of our grand evolution.

What’s Next?

Mister Style Birmingham is just the beginning of the next chapter. We’re going stronger than ever in Windsor, continuing to serve our loyal Canadian clients with premium home staging and interior design services. Our services in Naples, Florida are flourishing, with several new projects in the works. And now, Birmingham allows us to expand our reach even further in the U.S., with a headquarters that’s every bit as inspiring as the work we do.

So if you’re in the neighbourhood, come say hi. Walk through the showroom, touch the fabrics, study the art, and let the space spark your imagination. Whether you’re here for a candle, a sofa, or a full design project, we’d love to welcome you into the Mister Style world.

For me, this isn’t just a showroom, it’s a dream come true and the start of something even bigger.

Until next time, with love,

David Burman / Mister Style

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