Elevated interiors, tailored for Chicago’s finest
AWARD-WINNING INTERIOR DESIGNER
Meet Anthony Michael
Anthony is regularly named as one of the top interior designers in Chicago and various metropolitan areas such as San Francisco, NYC, Naples, New Buffalo, Scottsdale, Miami, Los Angeles, Belair, Nassau Bahamas and more in addition to numerous other projects in Chicago and the suburbs.
With offices in Chicago and Los Angeles, he works with bicoastal clients. His work has been featured in LUXE as a LUXE Gold Designer, House Beautiful, Traditional Home, The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, Modern Luxury and more.
With over 35 years of experience, Anthony Michael is to interior design what Sir Alec Guinness was to acting— able to handle radically different roles, his talent comfortably manifesting itself behind many faces. While hard to typecast, he dares to cross the lines of convention to try what is visually bold and dramatic , but never jarring.
FEATURED PROJECTS
Buckingham Place
Breathtaking colors of our planet
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Sheffield
Portraits of people from around the globe
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Greenview
Stark beauty of desolate dunes
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FEATURED PRESS
FROM THE BLOG
There’s a lot that goes into a great home facade, and it can make a bigger impact than you think. It gives people an idea of your home’s personality and creates a sense of quality and attention to detail, even before they step inside. Whether you want your property to stand out or you’re after a timeless look, there are many ways to enhance your exterior. Discover how curb appeal sets the stage for your home’s style. It Sets the Tone for the Interior Your home’s exterior frames the experience indoors. It’s the first thing people see that can make them excited to see what’s inside. It takes seven seconds to make a first impression, and those impressions tend to stick. This means people are already forming an idea of what your home looks like before walking through the door. It Communicates Your Home’s Personality How your home is presented to the outside world reflects your personality and the values you place on a living space. For instance, a straight concrete walkway can evoke a sense of formality, while a winding stone path may suggest a more relaxed demeanor. A bold, brightly colored front door may mean you’re playful and confident, while a manicured lawn can signal a preference for order. It Creates Cohesion and Intentionality A tidy exterior signals to passersby and potential buyers that the owners take pride in their home. If your front door, lighting, landscaping and materials all work together, it creates a welcoming vibe. When everything has a consistent style on the outside, it’s easy to assume the same sense of calm and order is repeated indoors. It Highlights Architectural Features An effective curb appeal must match your home’s architectural style. For instance, clean lines and monochromatic color palettes complement a modern house. A farmhouse may feature wood tones and native plants to enhance the ambience. Landscaping is also a great way to frame a view or draw the eye toward a focal point, like an entryway. What Are High-Impact Upgrades for a Cohesive Look? Here are easy ways to boost your home’s curb appeal and make a positive first impression. Update Door Designs Your garage door occupies a large portion of your front facade. In fact, it accounts for a third of your home's appearance , making proper design choices important. Make sure the garage door’s material, color and panel design match the existing exterior features like front doors, windows and siding. Matching the base color to the rest of the house can make your property appear bigger. Choose a Consistent Palette The same colors and materials to tie the design together. For example, use the same stone or wood for pillar bases, accent walls and mailbox posts. Ensure shutters, the front door and garage doors either match or complement each other. You can also create a consistent look for your door hardware. A quality product costs around $100 , which can feel like a lot if you’re just making a small improvement. However, it’s a worthwhile investment in the long run. Add Architectural Interest Structural upgrades like window boxes, accent trim and pergolas can add more character to your property. Adding shutters can introduce a pop of color and texture, which is ideal for a coastal home. Install pergolas and arbors over windows or garage doors to add dimension and support climbing plants. Opt for decorative columns for a more elegant entryway. Your Home’s Style Starts at the Street What people see outside is the start of their whole experience in your home. Pick a few materials and repeat them to create a cohesive look. Use matching or complementary colors, add a few details that pop, and stay true to your vision to bring out the style you want.
Like fashion, interior design trends that feel exciting today can quickly feel stale in the next few years. The once-trendy chevron pillows and gray-on-gray walls can suddenly feel bland and flat, which is normal as decor trends come and go. The good news? You don’t need a full renovation to fall back in love with your home. Discover four exciting styles you can incorporate into your space to revitalize your home. Japandi Japandi combines the calm elements of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics. It’s a solid choice for making your home feel emotionally balanced , intentional and harmonious. The core color palette includes warm, neutral tones like cream, beige and taupe. Accents are soft, muted colors, while black is often used as a defining highlight. You don’t need a major overhaul. Japandi follows the “less is more” principle, so start removing excess decor from tables, shelves and countertops. Opt for natural textures, like linen, wool and jute. Furniture is often low to the ground to create a more intimate atmosphere. Biophilic Design Biophilic design style brings the outdoors in — think potted succulents, large fiddle-leaf figs and living walls. It’s all about creating an environment that supports your well-being from the moment you step through the door. Key design elements include lush plant life, natural textures and nature-inspired art. This style may sound high-maintenance, but it shouldn’t be. First, find ways to let in natural light. It helps boost your mood and make your home feel more spacious. Place mirrors opposite your windows to reflect light deeper into your room. Introduce simple potted plants, like a pothos vine on a bookshelf or kitchen herbs on a sunny windowsill. Colorful Maximalism Maximalism is all about embracing bold colors, textures and choices. It is a curated clutter, featuring items you love and intentionally display. It challenges you to blend layers of joyful design elements to express yourself creatively. This design style is heavy on color theory. Use colors that are either complementary or contrasting. Follow the dopamine decor trend — a philosophy encouraging people to decorate their spaces based on their interests rather than what’s normally seen on Pinterest. Modern Rustic Rustic interior design comprises earthy elements reminiscent of the 19th-century American homesteaders. The style has undergone a revival throughout the years, blending raw, natural materials with cozy design features. Key traits include natural materials, like exposed wooden ceiling beams, a reclaimed wood dining table and wide-plank wood floors. If you have existing rustic elements, contrast them with modern touches, such as open floor plans, soft-colored textiles and sleek metal finishes like matte black fixtures. Proper Ways to Part With Dated Decor Letting go is one of the hardest parts of any home refresh. You need a plan to clear out what no longer serves you before welcoming a new style. Here are some strategies to get you started. Categorize the Clutter Not all decor must be thrown away. Place all dated decor in one place and organize the items into three categories — keep, trash and donate. Keep items you can repurpose for another season, let go of broken or no-longer-serving elements, and donate those you won’t use anymore but are still in good condition. Update Instead of Replace Breathing new life into your dated decor allows you to save money and get creative. Think of some solid pieces that can be reimagined to add a soulful feel to your home. It can be as simple as applying a fresh coat of paint to outdated wood furniture or vases. Instead of buying a new couch, reupholster an old sofa with modern, neutral fabrics. Sell Old Decor If the items are in decent condition but no longer match your style, consider selling them. This is especially important for expensive things you’re hesitant to let go of. List your items on online marketplaces, such as eBay, Amazon and Mercari. Local sales platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace allow you to easily list items for free when you sell locally. Your Home, Your Style You’re now ready to revitalize your home. Whether you lean into Japandi’s simplicity or love the cozy charm of modern rustic, remember to add personal touches to make a space truly yours. Start small, add a few pieces that bring you joy and soon you’ll have a home that feels like your personal sanctuary.
Spring is one of the best times to invest in your home. Warmer weather, longer days and a natural motivation to refresh your space make it ideal for both interior and exterior upgrades. More importantly, strategic improvements during this time can boost your home’s return on investment (ROI), especially if you focus on projects that enhance curb appeal and energy efficiency, like a new garage door installation, windows or siding. Why Spring Is the Smart Season for ROI-Driven Upgrades Spring naturally aligns with renovation projects in ways that directly support both execution and return on investment. Favorable weather conditions make it easier to complete exterior work like siding, roofing, garage door replacement and decking without the delays or complications that can be caused by extreme heat or winter conditions. This efficiency can reduce labor time and minimize project costs, which helps preserve your overall ROI. At the same time, spring marks the beginning of peak real estate activity , so buyers become more active, inventory increases and homes tend to show better thanks to natural light and improved landscaping. Spring brings a strategic window where upgrades can have an immediate visual and financial impact. Of course, you should always look for the best offers. It’s vital to get quotes for a new garage door installation or any upgrade to secure the best prices and high-quality products. Homeowners who invest in targeted improvements before listing their homes are often better positioned to attract buyers and command stronger resale prices. Spring also gives you time to enjoy the benefits of your upgrades before making any selling decisions. Whether it’s a new outdoor living space, enhanced natural lighting or improved insulation, these changes contribute to both immediate quality of life and long-term value. Smart Upgrades to Refresh Your Home This Spring Once you’ve decided to take advantage of the spring season, the next step is choosing improvements that deliver both visual impact and value. The right upgrades make your home feel new while enhancing functionality, boosting energy efficiency and increasing overall market appeal. Elevate Curb Appeal With a Custom Garage Door Your garage door can account for a large portion of your home’s exterior, making it a visible and valuable upgrade. In fact, it is the highest ROI home improvement you can make. Clopay® lets homeowners fully customize garage doors. With product lines like Coachman®, Gallery® Steel and Modern Steel™, there are a wide range of materials, finishes and insulation options. Its Intellicore® insulation technology is especially important, as it can reduce annual energy requirements and costs by lowering heating and cooling demand. Clopay doors are also available with WindCode® reinforcement, making them ideal for areas prone to high winds and storms. Refresh Your Exterior With Sustainable Siding Spring is the perfect time to address worn or outdated siding. Upgrading to fiber cement from James Hardie enhances your home’s appearance while improving durability and weather resistance. Fiber cement is designed to withstand moisture, pests and extreme temperatures, which reduces maintenance costs over time. Durable materials contribute to long-term cost savings and environmental benefits. From a design perspective, updated siding can dramatically transform your home’s exterior, giving it a clean, modern look that appeals to buyers and appraisers alike. Upgrade Windows for Efficiency Replacing old windows is another high-impact spring project. Andersen Windows & Doors offers energy-efficient window solutions that improve insulation while enhancing natural light and interior aesthetics. Energy-efficient windows help regulate indoor temperatures, reducing heating and cooling costs. Heat gain and loss through windows account for 25%-30% of residential energy use , so upgrading improves comfort and makes your home more attractive to energy-conscious buyers. Visually, new windows can modernize both the interior and exterior. Modernize Interior Spaces With Smart Lighting Curb appeal is definitely important, but your home’s interior deserves some attention, too. Smart lighting systems from Philips Hue allow you to customize brightness, color and scheduling, creating a more dynamic and efficient living environment. Lighting plays a major role in how a space feels. The U.S. Department of Energy states that LEDs use at least 75% less energy and last significantly longer than incandescent bulbs. From highlighting architectural features to creating mood-specific settings, smart lighting enhances daily living while signaling modern value to potential buyers. Make Your Spring Upgrades Count for the Long Term Choosing targeted upgrades can enhance both the beauty and value of your home. Getting a quote for a new garage door installation, energy-efficient windows or a refreshed outdoor space will allow you to evaluate all the options and choose the best one for you. The key is to think beyond aesthetics and prioritize improvements that deliver lasting benefits. With the right combination of design and performance, your spring upgrades can pay off now and in the future.
