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
View project
FEATURED PRESS
FROM THE BLOG
Remember when high-gloss finishes felt a little too 1980s? That era has officially ended. Glossy surfaces are making a major comeback in interior design, appearing in both nostalgic retro schemes and sleek modern spaces. The trend offers something for everyone, whether you want to channel old Hollywood glamour or create a minimalist sanctuary. The best part about high gloss is how good it looks while making your rooms feel larger and more luxurious with surprisingly little effort. The Enduring Allure of High-Gloss Finishes The appeal of glossy surfaces isn't exactly new. For centuries, shiny finishes have symbolized extravagance and exceptional craftsmanship in homes around the world. This history explains why designers and homeowners keep returning to high gloss for drama and elegance. A Brief History of Lacquer and Shine Lacquer first captured European imaginations when trade routes opened between Asia and the West. The original material came from the sap of the toxicodendron vernicifluum tree, which produced a finish unlike anything European artisans had seen before. The resin was incredibly valuable because the key ingredients derived from East Asia had a hard time surviving the long sea journey intact. This scarcity created intense demand, as craftspeople spent decades trying to replicate the glossy finish using local materials. Their experiments eventually led to the development of shellac and other Western lacquer options, making the look more accessible. From Art Deco to Hollywood Regency High-gloss finishes exploded in popularity during the 20th century, particularly in art deco and Hollywood regency interiors. With bold statements and theatrical flair, these styles layered opulent materials, mirrored surfaces, metallic accents and vibrant colors to create rooms that felt like movie sets. Glossy surfaces became a cornerstone of Hollywood regency design because they amplified light and added instant drama. Black lacquered furniture and high-shine cabinetry turned ordinary rooms into spaces worthy of celebration. Today, the maximalist approach to shine continues to inspire modern interpretations of the trend. Modern Ways to Embrace the High-Gloss Trend You don't need to commit to a full Hollywood regency makeover to enjoy high-gloss finishes in your home. Contemporary designers have found fresh ways to incorporate shine that work beautifully in minimalist and traditional designs alike. Make Small Rooms Feel More Expansive Paint sheen can dramatically affect how spacious a room feels. Higher sheen finishes like satin or semigloss bounce light around the space instead of absorbing it. Its reflective quality tricks the eye into seeing more depth. Using glossy paint in a compact powder room or narrow hallway also creates a more expansive atmosphere, making the space feel bigger and less cramped. The technique works particularly well when paired with adequate lighting and lighter colors. Find and Highlight Your Home's Natural Shine You might already own glossy elements without realizing it. Rather than adding new materials, take inventory of the reflective surfaces you currently have to attempt the trend without changing what exists. Identify Existing High-Gloss Materials Walk through your rooms and notice which surfaces naturally catch the light. Your kitchen or bathroom may already have polished stone countertops that provide a subtle shine. Metallic light fixtures, cabinet hardware and plumbing fixtures further contribute reflective moments throughout your home. Even certain types of flooring, like polished concrete or sealed hardwood, offer a gentle sheen. By simply keeping these surfaces clean and well-maintained, you highlight their glossy qualities without spending money on renovations. Consider Your Home's Exterior Elements The high-gloss aesthetic extends beyond your interior walls to your home's exterior features, including steel, which also offers practical benefits outside of the sleek design. For instance, garage doors made from this material are highly durable and require less maintenance than those made from alternatives. With their subtle shine, steel surfaces complement the clean lines that define modern architecture. They add visual interest to your home's facade without overwhelming the overall design, delivering both durability and good looks. How to Balance Glossy and Matte Finishes The secret to sophisticated design lies in contrast. Pairing high-gloss elements with matte surfaces, such as natural wood, linen textiles or flat-finish walls, prevents your space from feeling one-dimensional. This balance ultimately lets each texture stand out on its own. Consider painting your entry door in high-gloss black or navy for a stunning focal point, creating a sense of luxury against the surrounding dull walls and organic flooring. This single choice makes a big statement without costing much. Professional designers use this push-and-pull between textures to direct the eye and create visual interest. You can apply the same principle by selecting just one or two statement pieces with high shine and keeping everything else relatively subdued. Your Guide to a More Glamorous Home High gloss works with practically any design vision, bringing historical richness, creating the illusion of more space and adding instant luxury to your rooms. Start small by highlighting the glossy materials you already own, and then experiment with painted surfaces or new fixtures to add drama where you want it. Make it your home’s time to shine.
Creating a luxurious home doesn’t always require a full renovation or designer-level budget. Often, the smallest accents make the biggest difference. The right textures, finishes and styling details can instantly make your home feel polished, welcoming and “five-star” without overwhelming the space. Homeowners continue to prioritize stylish and functional living spaces. In 2025, 54% of homeowners completed renovation projects, reflecting growing interest in upgrades that improve comfort, appearance and long-term value. Whether your style leans toward modern, transitional, Japandi or traditional, these five simple upgrades can elevate your home inside and out. 1. Layer Your Lighting for a Softer Glow One overhead light rarely creates a luxurious atmosphere. Boutique hotels and high-end homes use layered lighting to create warmth and depth. Combine pendant lights, table lamps, sconces and outdoor lanterns to soften the room. This upgrade works especially well in transitional and modern classic interiors. Indoors, add dimmable lamps near seating areas or beds. Outdoors, install pathway lighting or subtle uplighting around landscaping for an elegant evening look. 2. Mix Natural Textures With Sleek Finishes Luxury spaces balance soft and hard materials. Think linen curtains with marble, warm wood beside matte-black metal or woven baskets mixed with glass accents. This layered approach fits beautifully with the growing “refined layering” trend that combines timeless textures with modern finishes. Even simple additions like ceramic vases, textured pillows or stone planters can make your home feel more thoughtfully designed. 3. Use Glass and Steel for a Modern Luxury Feel To instantly create a clean, upscale appearance, you can use glass and steel accents. Steel-framed mirrors, glass partitions and metal shelving pair well with modern and industrial-inspired homes. These materials are stylish and durable. Glass and steel are also popular choices for garage doors because they better resist climate and temperature changes than many traditional materials. That same durability makes them ideal for patio doors, stair railings and outdoor entertaining spaces. To keep the look inviting, balance steel and glass with softer materials like wood, greenery and warm textiles. 4. Add One Vintage or Statement Piece Luxury homes rarely feel overly matched. One vintage or statement piece can make your home feel collected and personal. Consider adding an antique mirror to a bathroom, a sculptural chair to a neutral living room or a vintage outdoor bench to a patio. Mixing old and new elements adds timeless character. Solid wood furniture is one of the best secondhand finds, as older pieces often feature higher-quality craftsmanship than many mass-produced modern items. 5. Focus on Hotel-Style Finishing Touches The easiest way to create a five-star atmosphere is through finishing touches. Plush towels, oversized cushions, decorative trays, fresh greenery and matching hardware can instantly elevate a room. In bathrooms, display rolled towels in baskets or use coordinated soap dispensers. In living rooms, style coffee tables with books, candles and greenery. Outdoors, add coordinated planters and comfortable cushions to make patios feel like boutique resort lounges. Create a Five-Star Home Experience Achieving a five-star look does not require chasing every trend or spending a fortune. By layering lighting, mixing textures, incorporating durable materials and adding thoughtful finishing touches, you can create a home that feels timeless, polished and welcoming every day.
Indoor-outdoor flow brings the outdoors in while extending your living space outward. By blending interior and exterior areas, you create more room to breathe, connect with nature and enjoy your home in new ways. Discover how this approach can transform the way you live. The Power of Indoor-Outdoor Living Transitional design blends modern and traditional styles into something cohesive and inviting. Here, it means mixing conventional indoor living with biophilic design principles that connect homes to nature. The result is a home that feels both functional and refreshing. Indoor-outdoor living first became popular in the early 20th century , when sleeping porches were all the rage. Fresh air was thought to help combat tuberculosis, so these spaces were an early example of designing a home to value nature's healing properties. Modern research supports this intuition. Connecting with green spaces reduces stress and anxiety , improves focus and lowers blood pressure. Indoor-outdoor flow also offers extra square footage, a more unified look and extra entertaining possibilities. Here are six ways to make it happen in your home. 1. Make Better Use of Your Garage Your garage is an often-overlooked transition space that is literally the border between inside and outside for many homes. It doesn’t have to be dark or feel closed-in. Modern garage doors are typically best for this look, which can include clear or tinted glass that heightens the connection to the outdoors. This also makes the space more usable and attractive. Streamline the interior aesthetic with the rest of your home, and consider installing flooring that harmonizes with your driveway. If you want full customization, professional installation and extensive energy-efficiency options, Clopay® has several affordable modern garage doors that would work well for establishing a modern look while reinforcing the indoor and outdoor flow of your home. Its Avante® door has real architectural impact, with a clear full-glass option to let natural light stream into your home. 2. Build a Sheltered Retreat With a Pergola A pergola frames an outdoor space, keeping it airy and open while providing shade, purpose and visual interest. You can use it as a designated gathering area while still feeling connected to the indoors. You can do more than just dine or entertain under a pergola. Consider creating a DIY outdoor cinema by hanging a white sheet as a DIY projector screen and setting up comfortable seating. This transforms your backyard into an experience, perfect for movie nights under the stars. For durable, stylish pergola kits you can assemble and install yourself, many homeowners like Heartland Pergolas ’ options. You can add a rainproof roof, customize your shade levels or have a fully custom kit designed just for you. 3. Extend Your Space With an Outdoor Kitchen An outdoor kitchen effectively extends your home's functional space and flow, making it easier to host gatherings without constantly running between indoors and out. Guests can gather around the cooking area, creating a natural social hub. This upgrade also delivers strong returns. Outdoor kitchens can generate an ROI of between 55% and 200% , attracting luxury buyers while making your daily life more flexible and enjoyable. You don't necessarily need a lot of space or a huge budget to bring your exterior kitchen dreams to life. RTA Outdoor Living provides customized kitchen kits tailored to your space, budget and preferences. 4. Set the Mood With Strategic Outdoor Lighting Proper illumination makes it easier to use your outdoor spaces after dark and enhances their attractiveness. Layered lighting with task, ambient and accent elements transforms a patio into a seamless continuation of your living area. If you're imagining gorgeous landscape lighting with smart controls and hundreds of color options at your fingertips, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives can make it happen. When you can easily adjust the lighting to match the weather, your mood or a gathering, outdoor spaces start to truly feel like an extension of your home. 5. Unify Your Space With Continuous Flooring Using the same or visually similar flooring materials inside and out is a core principle of seamless design. It removes the visual threshold, creating the impression of one continuous space that flows naturally from room to patio. Durable materials, such as porcelain tile, work well for both indoor and outdoor applications across various climates. Suppliers like Daltile offer porcelain pavers in dozens of marble, stone or wood looks to suit all tastes. By extending your flooring, you can dissolve a psychological barrier to indoor-outdoor flow. 6. Cultivate a Living Green Wall While most indoor-outdoor enhancements focus on making exterior spaces more livable, a living green wall does the opposite. It brings the garden inside, creating a powerful visual connection to nature. To see what's possible, take a look at how Plantwalldesign has transformed some homes with green walls of all shapes and sizes. You could also choose preserved moss designs that don't need any maintenance. Designing a Home That Breathes Understanding indoor-outdoor flow can help you design a home that feels connected, flexible and joyful. Whether you start with lighting, flooring or a dramatic glass garage door, each step brings you closer to a home that truly breathes. Imagine the possibilities for your own space and take the first step toward a more open, nature-filled way of living.
