What Makes Royal Oak's Flute House So Sharp?

Last spring, when Susan and Ervin Monroe moved into their bright red live/work space in downtown Royal Oak, they weren’t sure what they’d gotten themselves into.

The Monroes, who have been married for three decades, are the owners of the Flute House on Main Street, south of Lincoln.

The couple’s modern living space, perched above their sheet music and retail flute sales business, is a far cry from their previous house in a historic Detroit neighborhood.

“We had a home in Indian Village that was filled with antiques,” said Ervin Monroe. He laughs recalling Sir James Galway, an Irish virtuoso flute player, visiting his new sleek digs. “He said, ‘This is like the complete opposite of your last house.’”

The house, with its slanted walls, interesting lighting fixtures and one-of-a-kind architectural details, stands out on Main Street.

“We love it,” Ervin Monroe said. “It didn’t take two weeks until we felt at home. We wouldn’t dream of leaving.” 

Sound business

Ervin Monroe was the principal flute for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for forty years (1968-2008). He founded a publishing company called Little Piper in the 70s, which Susan Monroe, a former school psychiatrist, helps with. In fact, she jokes in many circles she is simply known as “Miss Piper.”

In 1995, Ervin Monroe was also selected by flute maker Osamu Muramatsu to be president of Muramatsu America, which sells premium model flutes worldwide.

For years the couple had a warehouse in Ferndale and ran the two businesses from their home. 

“The business was growing so much and we needed more space for our inventory,” Ervin Monroe said. “We looked for a long time for a warehouse we could live above. We were getting tired of the long drives to Ferndale.”

In 2008, they stumbled upon a Main Street warehouse that had been deserted for years. “It was really bad,” Ervin Monroe said. However, as luck would have it, the property had been recently rezoned to allow a living space. 

The Monroes met with Keith Phillips of The Think Shop Architects, who put together the architectural plans and they started building in 2009.

House of note

“There is not a straight line in the place. It’s really unique,” said Ervin Monroe, of Phillips’ design, which includes a flex room, two bedrooms, sauna, large deck, fountain and a garden that includes more than 100 varieties of hostas.

The couple says they have gotten used to train whistles and loud motorcycles and enjoy what they say resembles a European lifestyle, which includes walking to coffee shops, restaurants, retail shops and enjoying the excitement of a busy downtown.

And there is a surprise perk, too. 

“I wouldn’t have dreamed I’d move to Royal Oak for sunsets,” said Susan Monroe pointing to the horizon through windows that stretch from floor-to-ceiling, “but we have seen so many beautiful sunsets since we’d moved in.”

For more on Muramatsu America visit muramatsu-america.com. For more on Little Piper visit: www.little-piper.com