I work with people who want to improve their lives by improving their homes.
Since 2004 I have been restoring vintage homes in Chicago, taking the neglected and making it beautiful, the chaotic and making it functional. In between the homes I purchase and rebuild, I schedule a steady stream of private clients: anything from small closets to whole homes. Vintage Modern: respecting the past and designing for the future.
Vintage Chicago two-flats and single-families, brought back with care. Kitchens and baths remodeled, whole home design, construction project management, and consulting. A few of the projects below.
It doesn't need to be complicated, expensive, or stressful. Together we set reasonable, achievable goals and a timetable for success. Calm, organized, and accomplished. Three ways to work together, depending on what your home needs.
We can bring order, function, and style to a home in a way that's affordable and well-planned. Small changes, big changes and everything in between.
Whether a simple facelift or a full home remodel, I guide, project-manage, and coordinate the build, drawing on years of restoring old Chicago homes. From inception to completion.
Buying or selling, designing or remodeling, new and old. Let's chat about your vision. Using over 20 years of Chicago resources and experience I can assess, coach and guide any project you imagine.
I strive to merge order, function, style, and affordability in a way that helps turn your house into the home you want. I bring a calm, thoughtful, and respectful approach to home construction and design. I understand that often the most difficult part is just picking up the phone.
I love taking the neglected and making it pretty, the chaotic and making it functional, and sharing the tips and tricks I've picked up over the years to change how people see the problems in their home. I am so fortunate that my work marries my true loves: vintage architecture, good design, and the City of Chicago.
Michele redid our bathroom. I really liked our old bathroom. I thought it was perfect like you think vanilla ice cream is perfect then you try chocolate. The new bathroom, from her vision, is stunning. No one walks into the apartment without commenting on the bathroom, the bathroom! Don't even get me started on how she completely redesigned the kitchen.
Michele will take the time and effort to not only create/recreate your space into what you have always dreamed, she will accomplish it through your taste. Many designers want to impart their vision at the expense of comfort and your style. She never imposes her views at the expense of the client. She builds, improves and accomplishes the wishes while always simplifying and improving.
It's difficult inviting someone into your most private space, especially when you know there's so much work to be done, but Michele understands that. Somehow, effortlessly, she puts you at ease, absorbs everything you tell her, creates a vision that leaves you breathless, then works like crazy to make it a reality. We started working with Michele late in the year and thought we wouldn't be able to start construction on our project until January. But Michele found a contractor who promised the work could be done between Thanksgiving and Christmas and she was at our home every day to make sure he delivered. We were able to enjoy the holidays with our lovely new kitchen and bath. Michele is an artist, psychologist, contractor and project manager. Amazingly, she is equally gifted at each. On top of it all, she is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. Thank you, Michele.