Abrams Valenti

Abrams Valenti

At the heart of Abrams Valenti Interiors is the enduring partnership between Michael Abrams and Gina Valenti. United by the belief that a home should both reflect and elevate clients’ lives and lifestyles, the duo brings together complementary perspectives shaped by decades of experience. Their collaborative approach — rooted in trust, vision, and a passion for thoughtful design — has shaped a body of work known for its warmth, elegance, and ease. Together, they create homes that beautifully tell each homeowners’ story.

Twenty five years after its inception, the studio entered a new era in 2025 — as Abrams Valenti Interiors — continuing to evolve while remaining true to the values that have defined its legacy.

Michael Abrams

Founding Partner

Over the past 25 years, Michael Abram’s keen eye for design has seamlessly fused with his belief that a home should be designed around a singular element: the people who live within. After spending his childhood in New York and South Carolina, Michael’s love of art and design led him to the Art Institute of Chicago, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts. He then earned his Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago. 

Informed by technical knowledge he gained from years spent consulting on the design of some of the most well-respected brands and corporations in the world, including LaSalle Partners, Citibank, and Goldman Sachs, Michael refocused his work to center around his passion for the home. In 2000, Michael Abrams Interiors was born with the goal of creating spaces that transcend the test of time and truly make each homeowner feel at peace in their space.

Rebranded as Abrams Valenti Interiors in 2025, Michael Abrams and partner Gina Valenti have established the firm as an industry leader, effectively showcasing design’s power to improve both individual spaces and communities as a whole. Michael is an active member of organizations including Cycle for Survival, Designs 4 Dignity, and Heartland Health Outreach.

Gina Valenti

Partner

An integral part of the firm since 2013, interior-design powerhouse Gina Valenti became Principal and Partner of Abrams Valenti in 2025. Known for her ability to harmoniously blend elements from different eras, Gina brings a unique, meaningful breadth of experience — ranging from award-winning interior design to the creation of custom homes through her work in general contracting — to each project.

Drawing on a childhood spent learning about construction from her father, a deep knowledge of the built environment, and her formal education in interior design at Harrington College of Design, Gina seamlessly translates her passion for beautiful, yet functional design into the world of high-end home interiors. Her portfolio reflects her distinct eye for symmetry and order, while incorporating each client’s vision, lifestyle, and taste. 

When not working on luxury custom homes in cities ranging from Chicago to Park City to Miami, Gina enjoys spending her free time with her husband and their cats, Strawberry and Boo. As a true testament to her personal love for beautiful design, Gina and her husband are renovating their own vintage home.

Heidi Schlueter

Senior Designer

Senior Designer Heidi Schluter is no stranger to the world of interiors — even when she was a young girl, Heidi’s parents would often find her spending time redecorating her room. Heidi went on to turn that passion into a career, gaining an education at Iowa State University and traveling the globe exploring cultures and design. With a belief that great design is for all, Heidi’s keen interest in accessibility and functionality merge beautifully with her contemporary design style. After years spent working with other well-respected firms around the Chicagoland area and designing high-end residential spaces, Heidi joined Michaels Abrams Interiors as an experienced and thoughtful member of the team.

Whether she’s getting her hands dirty at a client install, playing with her nephews, or spending time after-hours at the gym, Heidi brings enthusiasm and care to all she does. Catch Heidi enjoying the Chicago lakefront or checking out new restaurants in the city.

Srinidhi Sundararaju

Senior Designer

Though she studied architecture as an undergraduate student in India, Senior Designer Srinidhi Sundararaju has always had an affinity for interiors — a passion that ultimately led her to pursue a Master’s degree in interior design from the Parsons School of Design. After working in New York City, Madison, Wisconsin, and abroad in India, Srinidhi moved to Chicago to create designs that combine the expertise she gained through her education and experience. Citing both modern and vintage styles as sources of inspiration, Srinidhi takes pride in helping clients turn their interior dreams into reality — she says designing can feel like having a magic wand! Srinidhi is also curious about design practices around the globe, frequently traveling both for pleasure and to inform her work.

You’re likely to find Srinidhi in one of Chicago’s many museums, booking her next trip, spending time outdoors, or dominating a trivia game with her husband.

Kristina Sutulaite

Senior Designer

Senior Designer Kristina Sutulaite always knew she wanted to create beautiful homes — and now brings a love of architecture and a knowledge of the building industry to the Abrams Valenti team. After working across the Chicagoland area, Kristina discovered her passion: creating livable, luxurious spaces for clients that both complement and improve their lives. Kristina’s style is tailored and refined, and she’s adept at working with homeowners to infuse their personal tastes into every project.

Originally from Eastern Europe, Kristina visits Europe at least once per year. With interests in fashion and food in addition to architecture and design, Kristina consistently finds inspiration from her travels, frequent visits to art museums, and meals experienced at iconic restaurants around the world.

Esther Welton

Designer

Forgoing her original plan to study nursing, Designer Esther Onate decided to follow her heart — leading her straight to the world of design. Esther received a BFA in Interior Architecture and minored in Fashion Business at Columbia College in Chicago before completing a CED Advanced Architecture Certification at UC Berkeley and beginning her career. Drawing from the world of fashion and crediting Zaha Hadid as her greatest inspiration for her ability to blend architecture and design with fashion and art, Esther always seeks to push creative boundaries by applying a contemporary edge to her work and also has a deep drive to achieve client success.

In addition to her work as a designer, Esther teaches pilates, and she also relishes spending time with her husband and their daughter, Noelle.

Riss Hasseman

Associate Designer

Driven by her lifelong passion for all things creative, Associate Designer Riss Hasseman joined the Abrams Valenti team after completing her education in interior design at Miami University. Blending her interest in architecture and her deep-rooted love of fashion, Riss followed her heart to interiors and hasn’t looked back. She cites growing up in the diverse, design-rich city of Los Angeles, working with high-end clients in Florida’s luxe markets, and studying in Italy as key influences to her work. Riss’s style can be categorized as bold, textural, and as layered as her history.

She currently resides in New Mexico with her husband, their three-month-old son, Kyler, and their pets: two cats, Ghost and Salem, and a dog named Coven. Their military lifestyle often takes them to new places, each one offering fresh inspiration and perspective that she brings back to her work.

Megan Krummel

Associate Designer

Associate Designer Megan Krummel studied interior design at The University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and immersed herself in the industry as she pursued her education. While commercial design work offered her opportunities to curate a sense of place for a wide range of clients and projects, luxury residential design has always felt like home. Her ultimate goal: to create magic through livable spaces. Megan’s style is eclectic yet classic, effectively merging clients’ tastes with her own practiced aesthetic.

Megan lives in Wicker Park, Chicago, where she often has her head in a magazine, soaking up the latest in furnishings and fashion.

Doug Mathews

Accounting

An extended member of the AVI team, Doug Mathews found his footing in numbers early on, interning in public accounting during college and laying the groundwork for a career helping small businesses manage their financial and tax needs. He earned his BS in Accounting from Northern Illinois University and passed the CPA exam as a senior. After working at both mid-sized and boutique firms, he launched his own independent practice, where he continues to offer hands-on support to a range of clients. In 2008, Doug was introduced to Michael through a client referral, and the connection was immediate. Since then, he’s served the firm in a fractional CFO capacity, overseeing billing, payroll, business taxes, and 401k administration. With over 15 years of collaboration, Doug remains a trusted and steady financial partner to the team.

Outside of work, he enjoys time in nature — walking, hiking, and gardening — and is a lifelong sports enthusiast who once completed the Chicago Triathlon.

Phil Abrams

Chief Happiness Officer

Philip joined the team in July of 2020. He hails from Greenville, Kentucky where he knew his talents would be under-appreciated; hence he set his sights on the big city of Chicago to find his forever home. As Chief Happiness Officer, Phil delivers licks and kisses daily and is accepting of countless cookies and belly rubs. When Phil is not making significant contributions at AV, he enjoys spending the weekends with his dad, Michael, exploring the city’s many dog parks.