About Us

Michael Durrett

After graduating from the University of Florida’s College of Architecture in 1988, Michael moved to Chicago, IL and immediately began working with some of the top architectural and design firms in the city. Then in 1996 he founded his own company Durrett Design, Inc.  His utmost goal has always been and will always remain to curtail the number of projects each year in order to devote all his time and energy to the personal attention necessary to meet all the needs and desires of each and every one of his clients.

Michael accompanies each client through the entire step by step process. He first begins each project with the conceptual design, and then proceeds ahead with managing every aspect of the construction process .  He believes the key to success in every project is to remain steadfast with his hands on the pulse of the project through to it’s completion.

To further aid our client’s with the building process, Michael uses his unique ability to graphically represent the projects in three dimensional sketches right before their eyes. This allows the client to visualize every aspect of the project prior to construction. The client’s comfort level and peace of mind  is paramount for each project to be successful.

Michael  believes in the importance of keeping himself on the pulse of the industry so he continues to travel to Europe 1-2 times a year in search of cutting edge ideas, unique designs and innovative ways to solve old industry problems. He often comments that ” It’s still amazes me how people were solving light, circulation and structural issues 500 or even a 1000 years ago. I still fondly remember several years ago working with a leather maker in Tuscany and at that time he was in the process of rebuilding his 350 year old roof .  He too had experienced the difficultly of matching the existing tiles with newer tiles that were only- as he put it – 100 years old. Now that’s is what I call perspective!” 

Please take this opportunity to browse through just a few of
Durrett Design’s client recommendations:

Dear Michael,

I write you this day to compliment you for all the things that you are, for all the wonderful things that you did in my life, professionally, and to compliment you on your talent and integrity.  Never having done it, I was faced with the draconian task, along with my wife, of having to rehab our home of the last 40 years that was sadly in need of being brought into the 21st Century. Through a series of bizarre circumstances, due diligence, and speaking with neighbors and other folks that you did work for over the years, I was led to you. You were direct, accurate, reliable, and, with 20/20 hindsight, extraordinarily talented; a person with a vision. You turned our sad home into a residence that my wife and I are proud to live in and truly enjoy all the amenities you incorporated in the rehabilitation. In no small part, your talented wife, darling Gina, was responsible for the interior being as comfortable and attractive as it is, with her wonderful taste in furnishings and fixtures.

Michael, in addition to doing me a wonderful service, at an appropriate price and in a reliable manner, you have become my friend and a person for whom I have the greatest of respect. I would not hesitate for a New York second to recommend you and your firm to anybody that is considering the daunting task of rehabbing a home or other related contractor efforts. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Very truly yours,
Leonard F. Amari
LFA/ars

Dear Michael,

We are writing to let you know how pleased we are with our project. The addition you designed and completed to the back of our very ordinary brick Georgian was more than we expected. The union of the addition to the old home is very creative and elegant and transformed an otherwise large box into a visually pleasing home. You promised that I would have a spectacular kitchen; you did not disappoint me.

The private balcony spaces off our master bedroom,the upper common area and the kitchen are, weather permitting, a source of great pleasure. Your original time frame for completion in 6 months was on the money.Your team of craftsman and artisans were great, especially Evan, I don't know how one person can have all that talent, aside from you.

Lee Ann Mlakar

Michael,

Had to write to let you know how truly happy we are with our newly completed project.

Your role as the designer & contractor proved advantageous to the creative process which continued throughout the addition. We’re especially pleased (and to the amazement of our friends) that the design of the new family room, master bath/suite, and decks blend so beautifully with our existing home. As the contractor, you kept us informed about the different stages of progress and actually completed on schedule- to the day!

The work Ivan did: framing, trim carpentry, cabinetry, tiling etc. was exceptional. The bathroom tiling in particular is a work of art.
Thank you for making our home the house we knew it could be . . . and more!

The Siegels
Scott, Jody, Liz, Quin, and Lucky

Dear Michael,

From Concept to completion, You did a remarkable job. Our home improvement project was finished on time, on budget, and exceeded our expectations.

Bert & Sandy Hodapp

Dear Michael,

Your innovative design made our home unique & inspiring. You brought excitement and talent to our project. You truly made our house a home.

Susan Kelsey