The Firm
Design Philosophy
At Michelle Gentile Interiors, we believe that beautiful environments soothe the soul and help people grow together. We honor that philosophy in every space we design, striking the perfect balance of comfort and function.
Whenever possible, our projects showcase our clients’ favorite memories, conversation pieces, or special collections because rooms with meaningful objects uplift and inspire the people within them. We’ve used custom design to make a positive impact on many lives, and we’d love to do the same for you.
Michelle Gentile
Design Principal + Founder + CEO
Michelle Gentile is the founder and principal designer of Michelle Gentile Interiors + HOME, a full-service interior design studio specializing in high-end residential interiors, vacation homes, and boutique commercial spaces. With projects throughout **Southern Florida, Wisconsin, and Northern Michigan—including the Leelanau Peninsula—**Michelle is known for creating timeless, livable interiors that feel elevated, personal, and deeply intentional.
Michelle’s love for interior design began at an early age. One of her most formative memories was coming home from kindergarten to a thoughtfully transformed bedroom—an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for how design shapes emotion, comfort, and daily life. That early inspiration grew into an intuitive ability to visualize space, balance, and flow—skills that continue to define her work today.
Michelle studied interior design in DuPage County, Illinois, where she built a strong foundation in residential design, showroom styling, and project management. Early in her career, she gained hands-on experience working closely with clients, trades, and vendors—developing a design process rooted in clarity, collaboration, and trust.
In 2000, Michelle relocated to Boston, Massachusetts, where she joined one of the city’s top commercial interior design firms. There, she worked on large-scale corporate, retail, and hospitality interiors, including notable projects for Harvard University, Columbia University & The Balsams Hotel. In 2004, she launched her own firm, serving residential clients and real estate developers throughout the Boston area.
Today, Michelle brings this diverse background to the design of luxury primary residences, second homes, lake houses, and coastal retreats. Her aesthetic blends timeless elegance with modern functionality, often incorporating Feng Shui principles, thoughtful space planning, and a deep understanding of architectural history to create homes that feel both refined and effortless.
Michelle is currently working on interior design projects in Suttons Bay, Michigan; Naples, Florida; and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, offering clients direct experience with Northern Michigan lakefront properties, Wisconsin second homes, and Southern Florida coastal residences.
In 2019, Michelle and her husband Tony revitalized a historic building in Downers Grove, Illinois, transforming it into Maple Home Market, a retail boutique and design showroom. The studio has since evolved into Michelle Gentile Interiors + HOME, providing full-service interior design, renovation consulting, furnishings, and styling services for clients across the Midwest and beyond.
Michelle is especially sought after for:
Northern Michigan interior design, including Suttons Bay and the Leelanau Peninsula
Wisconsin interior design, including Lake Geneva vacation homes
Southern Florida interior design, including Naples luxury residences
Deeply connected to her community, Michelle has served as a board member of the Downers Grove Junior Woman’s League, a Girl Scout troop leader, and is a graduate of the Business Owner to CEO program through Innovation DuPage.
Whether designing a full home, guiding a renovation, or styling a seasonal residence, Michelle Gentile Interiors + HOME brings experience, vision, and heart to every project—creating spaces that feel elevated, welcoming, and uniquely personal.