Micah Abbananto

Short Bio:

As CEO, owner and principal designer, Micah Abbananto is known for her timeless with an edge style. She’s an organized creative with a passion to find something unique and personal while keeping her interiors timeless for years to come. With a no-nonsense work ethic, a loud laugh and a drive to make clients feel celebrated and heard, working with Micah is an unforgettable experience. She is an author, speaker and believer who loves to tell her story to inspire others. From a single mom on welfare to a successful interior design firm with clients nationwide, she is living proof that the fairytale can happen in life.

Micah Abbananto’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and transformation—a journey that’s sure to captivate anyone interested in design, personal growth, and overcoming life’s challenges. From a young age, Micah had an undeniable gift for design, rearranging furniture and spaces even as a child. This innate talent followed her into adulthood, where she used her skills to help family and friends create spaces that reflected their personalities and needs.

Micah’s early years were spent as a stay-at-home mom, homeschooling her three kids (Saylah, Ava, and Ezra) and serving in the church. During this time, she also became an author and speaker, using her personal testimony to empower women. But life took a dramatic turn on May 20th, when Micah survived the devastating F5 tornado. In the aftermath, she found the courage to leave her 15-year marriage to a man battling addiction. With three kids to support on her own, Micah bravely launched her staging and design business.

Her business quickly grew, catching the eye of a luxury home builder who invited her to be their exclusive designer. After three successful years, Micah took the leap and launched her own design firm, Micah & Co. There, she built a dedicated team focused on delivering exceptional design and an outstanding customer experience. Her work is grounded in the belief that design should be timeless yet personal, reflecting the unique style of each client. This philosophy is captured in her tagline: “Timeless with an edge, that edge is you!”

Timeless With An Edge

"Timeless with an edge" is more than just a catchy tagline for Micah—it’s the essence of her design philosophy. For Micah, timeless design isn’t about creating spaces that are stuck in the past or rigidly following trends. It’s about crafting environments that remain relevant and beautiful, no matter how much time passes. Timelessness, to her, is about designing spaces that feel enduring, comfortable, and effortlessly sophisticated.

But she pairs that timelessness with an edge—an element of individuality and boldness that gives each space its own unique character. It’s about pushing boundaries, breaking away from the cookie-cutter approach to design, and ensuring that every room reflects the personality and values of the people who live there. The "edge" is the part of the design that sets it apart, adds a touch of surprise, and gives it life.

Micah is passionate about encouraging people to embrace their own unique style in their homes, rather than settling for generic, trend-driven spaces. She pushes against the status quo of what many consider “traditional” interior design by advocating for clients to hire designers who will celebrate and amplify their personal aesthetic. She believes that design should be a reflection of who you truly are, not just what’s popular at the moment.

Micah doesn’t want people to feel like they have to conform to mainstream trends, which often leave little room for individuality. She knows that design has the power to shape how people feel in their environments, and she believes everyone deserves a space that feels authentic to them—something that speaks to their personality, lifestyle, and passions. That's why she insists on the importance of hiring a designer who takes the time to understand who you are, and will work with you to create a space that truly feels like yours.

For Micah, the most successful designs are the ones that reflect the unique story of the people who live in them. She pushes against the conventional idea that design should be impersonal or dictated by trends. Instead, she encourages clients to create spaces that are both timeless and daring, honoring their personal story while pushing the envelope to make a statement. This is the core of what "timeless with an edge" truly means.

Organized Creative

Micah Abbananto’s design process is as organized and thoughtful as the spaces she creates, and this structured approach is what sets her apart in the often chaotic and unpredictable world of design. In an industry that can sometimes feel disorganized, with clients unsure of timelines, expectations, or how to navigate complex decisions, Micah’s well-defined process offers clarity and peace of mind. Her methodical approach ensures that each step is intentional, efficient, and tailored to the specific needs of the client—something that’s often rare in a field where many designers lean heavily on intuition and creativity without clear structure.

What makes Micah’s process so critical is that it eliminates much of the uncertainty and stress that can come with designing a space. From the very first consultation, she works closely with clients to understand their vision, style, and needs, while also setting clear expectations for timelines and budgets. This transparency is essential in a design world that’s often driven by vague promises and unclear communication. Micah makes sure everyone is on the same page from the start, ensuring that her clients feel heard, valued, and confident throughout the entire design journey.

Once the foundation is set, Micah follows a methodical approach that is rooted in thoughtful planning and organization. She breaks down each project into specific phases, from conceptualization to installation, with detailed timelines and milestones. Her team works collaboratively, and each designer’s role is clear, which allows them to stay on track and ensure that every detail is accounted for. Micah doesn’t just rely on creativity—she brings a strong sense of structure to the table, allowing her team to execute their ideas with precision and efficiency.

What truly makes her process stand out is the way she balances her creativity with a high level of organization, which ensures that every design is not only beautiful but also functional and executed on time. In an industry where delays, budget overruns, and miscommunications are unfortunately common, Micah’s commitment to process is rare and invaluable. Her clients know that when they hire her, they’re not just getting an eye for design—they’re getting a reliable partner who takes the time to structure each project for success, keeping things moving smoothly from start to finish.

By being organized, Micah not only creates stunning, personalized spaces but also gives her clients a sense of trust and confidence in the design process. She understands that a well-designed space should enhance the daily lives of its inhabitants, and a well-organized process is key to making that happen. It's this combination of structure, attention to detail, and creative excellence that makes Micah's approach both rare and critical in today’s design world.

Using Her Past To Fuel Her Future

Micah Abbananto’s ability to turn her personal tragedies into powerful tools for helping others is a defining aspect of her story and her work as a designer. Her life has been marked by significant challenges, from surviving the F5 tornado to navigating the end of her 15-year marriage and the struggles of single motherhood. However, rather than allowing these hardships to define her in a negative way, Micah has used them as sources of strength and inspiration, both in her design practice and in the way she empowers others.

In her design work, Micah channels the lessons learned from her own struggles into creating spaces that help her clients heal, find peace, and feel inspired. Having faced loss and uncertainty, she understands the importance of having a space that nurtures the soul and offers comfort. For Micah, design is not just about aesthetics; it’s about crafting environments that support well-being and provide a sense of sanctuary. She knows firsthand how vital it is to feel at peace in your surroundings, especially when life feels out of control. By designing spaces that are both timeless and personal, she helps others create environments where they can feel grounded and supported through difficult times, just as she needed that for herself.

Her personal journey also informs her work as a mentor and speaker. Micah’s testimony is one of overcoming deep pain and finding strength through faith, and she actively uses her experiences to encourage others who may be going through their own trials. As a mother, business owner, and pastor, she is a living example of resilience, showing others that even the most devastating life events can be the catalyst for growth, reinvention, and empowerment. By sharing her story, she reminds her clients and community that they, too, have the ability to rise above challenges and create a life (and a home) that truly reflects who they are and who they want to become.

For Micah, every design project is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a person’s life. She strives to create spaces that are more than just functional or trendy—they are deeply personal, honoring the stories and experiences of those who inhabit them. Whether she’s designing a home, helping someone navigate a life transition, or speaking to a group of women, Micah uses her own story to show others that they have the strength to design not only their homes but also their futures in a way that brings them peace, purpose, and inspiration.

Her life and work are living proof that even the most painful moments can be transformed into powerful forces for positive change, both in her clients' lives and in the design world.

Philosophy of Design

Micah Abbananto’s approach to design is unique not just because of her aesthetic sensibility, but because she is deeply committed to educating and empowering her clients throughout the entire process. For Micah, design is about more than just creating beautiful spaces; it’s about teaching clients how to make thoughtful decisions, understand the impact of their choices, and navigate the complexities of the design and construction journey with confidence.

One of the ways Micah integrates education into her design process is by focusing on client touch points—key moments in the construction and design process where she actively engages with her clients to provide guidance, support, and encouragement. Building or redesigning a space can be overwhelming, with so many moving pieces to manage, so Micah developed a system to ensure her clients never feel lost or out of control. She sees each stage of the project as an opportunity to teach and reassure, helping her clients understand why certain choices are being made and how those decisions contribute to the overall vision for their space.

Whether it’s explaining the nuances of materials, helping clients stay within their budget, or discussing the timeline and expected milestones, Micah ensures that each touch point is an opportunity for growth and learning. She doesn’t just want her clients to passively observe the process; she wants them to feel involved, informed, and empowered. This is especially important when it comes to the often stressful and unpredictable aspects of construction. By breaking things down into digestible pieces, Micah helps her clients approach the process with more confidence and less anxiety. Her goal is to ensure that they feel supported, guided, and part of the creative journey every step of the way.

Additionally, Micah uses her personal experiences with overcoming challenges to provide a deeper layer of empathy throughout the process. She understands that many clients may feel emotionally connected to their space, whether it’s a family home, a new chapter in life, or a dream renovation. She is always available to offer not only design expertise but also emotional support, guiding her clients through the highs and lows of the construction process.

Through this approach, Micah is not only designing spaces but also shaping a learning experience that empowers her clients to make informed choices and feel a sense of ownership and pride in the final outcome. Her process is about fostering a deep connection with the design, helping people understand that it’s not just about choosing the right colors or furniture—it’s about creating an environment that resonates with who they are and what they want their lives to reflect.

This commitment to educating her clients, alongside her beautiful designs, is one of the key reasons why Micah’s approach stands out in the design world. It’s about giving people the tools and knowledge to embrace their own vision while feeling confident and supported throughout the entire journey.

Her Life Now

Today, Micah juggles her thriving design business, a marriage to her husband Sean, and raising three teenagers, all while co-pastoring The Oaks Church. Her life’s work is dedicated to honoring God, encouraging others to embrace their true selves in their spaces, and helping people design environments that nurture and inspire the soul. For Micah, design is about much more than aesthetics—it’s about creating spaces with meaning and purpose.

Micah Abbananto’s journey is the perfect blend of personal resilience and professional success. Her story of overcoming adversity, embracing creativity, and building a legacy of inspiring design is one that will resonate deeply with podcast hosts and editorial features alike. If you're looking for an interview that combines passion, faith, and transformative design, Micah’s story is one you won’t want to miss.