Welcome, Michelle Gage! Michelle and I connected through the Tory Burch Foundation Fellows program and what a joy it has been to collaborate with a likeminded, art-loving, crazy talented individual. A Philadelphia suburbs-based interior designer, with an affinity for playful prints Michelle fell in love with interior design at an early age. As years passed, that passion stuck with her and ultimately led her to study at Virginia Tech, where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Design. Upon graduation, she moved to Philadelphia to work as a home merchant at Anthropologie HQ, buying everything from art and antiques to lighting and decorative textiles. Fast forward a few years - now Michelle creates magical spaces that are a true reflection of her clients, their families and their lifestyles. Michelle takes joy in creating homes that appear curated over time, combining requests and personal taste with her artful eye and experience. Every space created is a true collaboration of visions. Thank you Michelle for taking the time to comb through our collection, choose your current favorites, and for putting up with us during our rapid-fire Q&A. We are so happy to host you on the blog and to introduce you as our latest Guest Curator.
"Queen of The Garden" by Amanda Norman: I love a good painted floral. This one is done with so much movement. The colors are easy to assort in the boldest of rooms or even more muted tones.
"Fresh Juice" by Christy King: I’m a big fan of food photography and this painting is like “food photography meets art” – combining two of my favorite things! I also love the subject matter. There’s something so punchy about a fresh, bright cup of OJ.
"Wild Blueberry Preserves" by Christy King: This is so cheeky and cute. I can totally envision it leaning on a kitchen shelf – and I’ll tell ya, styling a kitchen is no easy task. It’s hard to make a kitchen look decorated but not cluttered. This piece does the trick!
"Lemon II" by Christie Younger: I’m a sucker for a good lemon painting. This piece is perfect for summertime. I love the punchy tones and painterly hand.
I started my interior design business 3.5 years after landing what I thought was my dream job. I truly loved what I was doing (a home buyer for a major “whimsical” retailer) but I looked around and realized that no one above me had a role I wanted. I realized that what I truly wanted to do long term didn’t exist where I was and I’d need to leave to go create it.
What is currently on your nightstand? What are you reading?
I made it a goal for myself to read 20 books in 2020. Some of my favorites this year include The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson, Everything is Figuroutable by Marie Forleo, and Purple Cow by Seth Godin.
What is your favorite room in your house? Describe it.
My favorite room in my house is my living room. It features original 1927 bookcases and beefy wooden ceiling beams. I decorated with an English tufted sofa, rattan daybed and bone inlay coffee table. The fireplace wall is filled with artwork that extends from floor to ceiling. It houses all of my favorite possessions, which is why I love it so much. It’s “me” in a room!
If you have the entire day to spend in an art museum, which one and why?
Locally, I love The Barnes (Philadelphia) and The Met (NYC). I make it a point to stop by museums when traveling. Two of my all-time favorites are Musee D'Orsay in Paris and The National Portrait Gallery in London.
The key to making a house a home? What does a home need more of and less of?
Personality! More art, less plastic.
The greatest color combination that ever existed?
Any color worth coveting looks good with hot pink. I love pale blue and lilac together. Black and white is a classic combination.
