Michele's story

Michele Bitter is the founder and principal of Michele Bitter Designs, a New York City–based interior design studio recognized for refined residential interiors, thoughtful renovations, custom millwork, and highly personalized homes.

Her appreciation for design began early in Connecticut, where the arts played a central role in her upbringing. A classically trained ballerina, Michele developed an enduring understanding of composition, proportion, and movement before studying Art History at the University of Pennsylvania. Those early experiences continue to inform her approach to interiors, where architectural structure is balanced with warmth, color, and livability.

After earning her Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California, Michele practiced entertainment law in Los Angeles, representing emerging musicians and artists. During that time, she renovated her own Venice Beach townhouse, discovering that designing spaces brought her greater fulfillment than practicing law. The experience ultimately inspired a career change and a return to New York City.

Michele graduated from the New York School of Interior Design before joining a prominent Manhattan design firm, where she spent five years as both senior interior designer and project manager overseeing high-end residential renovations. She also designed kitchens and bathrooms featured on HGTV's Save My Bath and Spice Up My Kitchen.

Today, Michele's interiors reflect both the architectural sophistication of New York and the relaxed spirit she discovered in Southern California. Her work is known for thoughtful space planning, custom detailing, layered materials, and a confident use of color, creating homes that are elegant, deeply personal, and designed for everyday life.

Her work has been featured in LUXE Interiors + Design, NY Spaces, Business Insider, Refinery29, GoDesignGo, and numerous national and regional design publications.