Michelle Gonnella, Owner & Lead Designer, has over 20 years of experience and brings a wealth of creativity and expertise to every project. She is known for delivering distinctive, personalized design solutions tailored to each client and their lifestyles.
Michelle understands that interior design is an inherently personal process. She takes a thoughtful, relationship-driven approach, investing time to truly understand her clients’ needs, habits, and aspirations. Based in New Jersey, she also serves as a liaison and advocate for her clients, skillfully managing relationships with contractors to ensure a seamless, collaborative, and successful experience for all parties involved.
Her design philosophy begins with a clean slate, free from preconceived ideas about color schemes, layouts, or materials. This open-minded approach allows her intuitive creativity to flourish, resulting in spaces that feel deeply personal and entirely unique.
The Personal Touch That Sets Michelle Apart
Client-First Mindset: Every project begins with a comprehensive, personalized questionnaire that helps uncover each client’s lifestyle, personality, preferences, and goals, ensuring each design is both functional and meaningful.
Creative Intuition: Michelle has a remarkable ability to interpret unspoken needs and gently guides clients beyond their comfort zones. She’s often praised for understanding what clients want – even before they do.
Tailored, Not Trendy: When asked to describe her design style, Michelle responds, “I design for the project I’m working on.” Her work is not defined by a signature aesthetic, but rather by the individuality of each client and space.
Michelle’s favorite phase of any project is the creative process, especially when it comes to exploring textiles, wallpaper, color, and materials. Whether inspired by a single hue, a walk in nature, a standout showroom piece, or a cherished item with personal meaning; like a family heirloom, artwork, or sculpture, her inspiration is ever evolving and always centered around the client.
Let’s Get Personal
Outside of design, Michelle finds joy in her role as a proud mother to three accomplished daughters and grandmother to three energetic grandsons. Her passion for family and connection mirrors the care and dedication she brings to every design engagement.