--- title: "By Design — Home Stagers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-stagers/by-design-pfvwus-pf~503490488 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~503490488.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "By Design" category: ["Home Stagers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/a1138e67021cc462_6995-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Parkville, Missouri 64152, United States" latitude: 39.2063 longitude: -94.703 phone: "(816) 935-9269" website: http://michellebydesign.houzz.com rating: 5 review_count: 9 best_of_houzz_awards: 2 followers: 80 last_updated: 2026-09-09 --- # By Design Original Houzz profile: [By Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-stagers/by-design-pfvwus-pf~503490488) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Home Stagers - **Location:** Parkville, MO - **Serves:** Kansas City, Liberty, Gladstone, Smithville, Parkville, Platte City, North Kansas City, Riverside, Weatherby Lake, Gallatin, Lake Waukomis, Ferrelview, Platte Woods, Houston Lake, Northmoor, Farley, Bonner Springs, Lake Viking, Leavenworth, Piper, Waldron - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (9 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2014–2015), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - 5 Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 25 Ideabook Saves Home staging for Realtors/homeowners and design services. We provide design services for new construction and existing homes, product selection and space design. Material and surface selections for remodel and new home construction. ### Services Provided - Home Staging - Space Planning - Holiday Decorating - Furniture Selection and placement - New Home and Remodel material selections. ### Areas Served - Kansas City - Liberty - Gladstone - Smithville - Parkville - Platte City - North Kansas City - Riverside - Weatherby Lake - Gallatin - Lake Waukomis - Ferrelview - Platte Woods - Houston Lake - Northmoor - Farley - Bonner Springs - Lake Viking - Leavenworth - Piper - Waldron ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | By Design | | Address | Parkville, Missouri 64152, United States | | Phone | (816) 935-9269 | | Website | http://michellebydesign.houzz.com | | Followers on Houzz | 80 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — http://www.facebook.com/bydesignkc ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [By Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-stagers/by-design-pfvwus-pf~503490488) - **Website:** http://michellebydesign.houzz.com - **Phone:** (816) 935-9269 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - HBA Distinctive Plan and Design - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2014–2015), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 9 reviews** ### All 9 reviews **★★★★★ — Kim Enriquez, Jan. 2017** > By Design helped me in the design of my new custom built house. Michelle was great at getting to know me and the design elements that I wanted to have included in my new home. She helped me with color selections, tile, carpet, stone, granite and lighting choices. Her knowledge of color and how to incorporate the elements that I wanted to include in my new home were wonderful. She was also able to help me stay on budget and guide me on where to include elements that helped to enhance the overall design I wanted to achieve. I am just thrilled with the way that everything has turned out and look forward to her assistance with furniture selections in the near future. **★★★★★ — Stephen & Pamela Cole, May 2016** > Melissa was the design consultant used by the professional painting company we hired. She came out the very next day to help me decide on colors. Although I was unsure, Melissa knew exactly what I meant and she was spot on! The red was the color I struggled with. It's just perfect!! Couldn't be better. We both love how it turned out! **★★★★★ — sharronmason1, Nov. 2014** > Wow! I cannot recommend these ladies high enough. I live out of town and own a house that is newly listed. (http://www.zillow.com/homes/8418-n-vista-circle-parkville\_rb/) My realtor had not done any staging and kept telling me that everything was fine- but the reviews from people touring the house weren't great. I asked them to go and evaluate my home for staging. They went within a few days, used everything I had available, shopped for what I needed (all under budget) , staged it and then they cleaned up the outdoor space and get this - they even showed the house to a couple who were in the area and stopped in! Unbelievable! When they sent the photos of their work I actually cried. I think that these ladies were heaven sent and I am so grateful to have found them. **★★★★★ — Marty Perrea, Feb. 2014** > I have worked closely with By Design for the last five years. Michelle and Cristina have met with nearly all of my real estate clients to help prepare their homes for market. My clients rave about By Design and their work has helped me to reach record setting sales. > > Whether it is light staging or a complete makeover, By Design has always come through with beautiful and appealing design ideas. They do a great job of arranging existing furniture and "re-purposing" items to save money. Michelle is also extremely knowledgeable about paint colors and interior finishes. Her background in new construction design helps her to achieve today's look. > > My wife and I also consult with By Design for our own home. We enjoy the creativity and energy that they bring to their profession and that translates into beautiful, livable spaces. **★★★★★ — Marci Baldwin, Jan. 2014** > Michelle was hired by me to stage my home to sell. She did a fantastic job, was great to work with, and my house sold just a couple of weeks after being staged by Michelle! **★★★★★ — kevinschneider, Sept. 2013** > I am a homebuilder in Kansas City and the surrounding areas. Michelle with "By Design" has been successfully helping me bring projects to completion for over 10 years. Not only has she done the décor selections as well as design on several award winning model homes, she has worked with over 100 individual homeowner's to bring their own visions to life. She is always organized and professional and I would highly recommend her for any design project. **★★★★★ — joysnyd, Aug. 2013** > Michelle has been our color consultant for several projects, the most recent being virtually the entire interior of our new home. She managed to change the look and feel of our home from somewhat country to sleek and modern just by changing the colors. Michelle recommended that we try painting our bannister before committing to a very expensive replacement and I love it. This alone saved us thousands of dollars. She also chose the exterior colors of our last home and it sold in 6 days! I will continue to use Michelle and highly recommend her to anyone considering a new look. **★★★★★ — mgc777, Aug. 2013** > I have used Michelle numerous times over the past 10 years and she always does an excellent job. She knows so much about color and design and has so much patience with me! She helps me to coordinate rooms so they are not only beautiful but are rooms that we can live in and enjoy. Right now I am working on my kitchen/hearth room but she has helped me in the past with bedrooms, living room and screened porches...she is very talented and dependable. **★★★★★ — CertaPro Painters of Shawnee-Mission, Aug. 2013** > We had our house up for sale last year. Our Realtor recommended that we hire Michelle to come out to show us what should be updated, helped us pick colors for a quick sale, as well as furniture placement. Michelle went through our house room by room. She made suggestions on what we should do. For instance, update the door handles, update some of the light fixtures, which rooms we should update the paint colors. After we did the updates Michelle came out and did the furniture placement room by room. I could not believe the difference that made. I feel that Michelle was the difference in why our house selling so quickly. We were so happy with Michelle on the selling of our house, that we had her out to do the color consulting in the house that we bought as well as furniture placement. Michelle has a great eye for designing and decorating. I would highly recommend Michelle ## Selected projects - [Staging-North Kansas City](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/staging-north-kansas-city-pj-vj~1602067) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - Description: Home staging, added new lighting, carpet, paint colors, furniture planning and arrangement. - [Staging-Charming Ranch](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/staging-charming-ranch-pj-vj~1602098) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - [Cozy Lake Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cozy-lake-cottage-pj-vj~1448894) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [Rustic Lake Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rustic-lake-home-pj-vj~1448887) - Location: Gallatin, MO - Photos: 23 - [Staging](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/staging-pj-vj~1402560) - Location: Kansas City, MO - Photos: 16 - [Kansas City Remodel/Design](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kansas-city-remodel-design-pj-vj~1134359) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - [Kitchen Redesign](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kitchen-redesign-pj-vj~1128631) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [Living room redesign](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/living-room-redesign-pj-vj~791809) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [Modern Living Space](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-living-space-pj-vj~1128618) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - [Wall Designs](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wall-designs-pj-vj~791870) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [Lake House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-house-pj-vj~417834) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - [Lake Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-home-pj-vj~417795) - Location: Kansas City, MO - Photos: 7 - Description: Beach style lake house done in creams, white, and a pop of pink accent. Chrystal chandeliers and antique mirrors cozy sitting spaces Painting was done all in one color using various finishes. Ceiling was painted in a satin finish to add extra light reflection. - [Parkville, MO Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/parkville-mo-home-pj-vj~312174) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - Description: glass tile back splash Lia Vatia Granite slab glass jug chandelier vintage mirror custom cabinets [See all 13 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-stagers/by-design-pfvwus-pf~503490488) ## Ideabooks - [rug](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/118558174/list/rug) — 10 ideas - [fireplace idea](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/21339704/list/fireplace-idea) — 3 ideas - [michellebydesign's ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/16927345/list/michellebydesign-s-ideas) — 1 idea [See all 3 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/michellebydesign) ## Community Q&A **Q: what is the paint color please? it is beautiful** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Beautiful! Love the soft hues. **Q: White kitchen help** *(in Design Dilemma)* I'm a very indecisive person and I need help. I'm re-doing my kitchen. The kitchen gets very little light so looking to brighten it up. Painting the cabinets white and I think I've finally decided on BM Chantilly Lace (white dove looked way too yellow). I think I want white subway tiles for a backsplash- what color would match with the white cabinets? Is this too much bright white? Also looking for a quartz countertop. Thinking I want black- any suggestions? Thanks! A: Paint the cabinets white (try BM white heron) then go with a white marble backsplash. Paint the walls in a soft gray, try SW pavestone or BM gray owl. Remove the top railing on the cabinets to update the look. **Q: TV/ fire place stand... What color** *(in Design Dilemma)* We recently painted our basement , once it is done it's going to be a entertaining/ relaxing environment. This is the Colors we chose to paint and here is a picture of the sectional we have ordered ... Eventually the 65" TV will be a on a stand and I want a TV/fireplace stand combo... What color should the TV/ fireplace stand be white , black Or go with a traditional wood color?( the drum painting will also be incorporated, to the theme of the room) A: A mirrored piece would be pretty or painted in Black Magic **Q: Fireplace help!** *(in Design Dilemma)* Wondering what to do with this outdated brick fireplace. Add bookshelves on either side? A mantel? Paint? Thanks! A: Yes, a timber mantel! Or reface entirely with natural stone. **Q: Need help with fireplace and hearth remodel, please** *(in Design Dilemma)* I have painted the cabinets white (they were the natural wood color) but the brick hearth and fireplace surround are still very dated and huge! Any suggestions on what I can do to change this without having to rip all of it out? Notice how the brick dips down a bit when it gets near the actual fireplace...not sure if laying tile over it would look good because of this. Thanks for any advice. A: One option would be to paint the brick white and brush over with a charcoal glaze. **Q: Need exterior color scheme ideas** *(in Design Dilemma)* Closing on our new house next month and we plan to work on its curb appeal. Would like to paint and add shutters - need some color scheme ideas. Don't want to paint the brick a solid color but whitewashing an option. Thanks in advance! A: Shutters either stained or painted. If you paint them, look at SW 7020 Black Fox or Wel-bred Brown --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-09.*