Michael Shannon Designs

Michael founded Michael Shannon Designs in Center City Philadelphia over 25 years ago after earning his degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and beginning his career with Haworth and Herman Miller. Since then, he and his team closely collaborating with clients have completed hundreds of projects. Known for his ability to quickly understand a client's vision, Michael translates their needs into sophisticated, comfortable, and highly personalized environments.

Committed to both professional practice and design education, Michael served as an Adjunct Professor at Moore College of Art & Design, where he taught Design Studio and shared his expertise and experience with the next generation of designers. A lifelong advocate for the visual arts, Michael believes that fine art plays an essential role in creating meaningful interiors. He takes particular satisfaction in helping clients source and acquire artwork, building collections that feel personal and integral to their homes. His passion for the arts has also inspired decades of civic involvement. Michael served for 22 years on the board of Collab, supporting contemporary design at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of BalletX and on the Chairman’s Council of the Highmark-Mann Center for the Performing Arts, maintaining strong connections to Philadelphia’s cultural and creative communities.

Travel is another enduring source of inspiration. Through extensive journeys around the world—including recent trips to Morocco and Rome, with future adventures planned in South Africa and Namibia—Michael continually seeks new perspectives on architecture, art, culture, and design. These experiences inform his work and help shape the thoughtful, globally influenced approach that defines Michael Shannon Designs.

Lia began at Michael Shannon Designs as an intern and has since grown into a full-time designer and resource coordinator. Originally from the country of Georgia, she earned a master’s degree in interior design & architecture from Drexel University, with a minor in Art History and Fine Arts. She quickly fell in love with Philadelphia and decided to stay after graduation. With a strong interest in sustainable design, Lia is also a LEED Green Associate. Her fine arts studies included hands-on work in woodworking, metal welding, and furniture prototyping. Her aesthetic leans toward modern and mid-century design, influenced by both her Georgian roots and life in Philadelphia. She particularly admires the women-led Georgian design studio Rooms Studio, known for combining Georgian cultural heritage with contemporary design. An accomplished illustrator, Lia uses a mixed-media approach to renderings, combining hand sketches with digital graphics. Outside of design, she enjoys making art, reading, photography, and playing piano.

Louise shares responsibilities in the canine division with Lou and alerts us when visitors or the mail arrives.

Devon holds a B.S. in Interior Design from Philadelphia University and has been an integral part of MSD since 2000. Her creative foundation began at The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), where she developed an early appreciation for art and design. With an appreciation for a wide range of styles, Devon gravitates toward transitional design—a balanced blend of traditional and contemporary aesthetics. Equally valued for her organizational and project management skills, she excels at coordinating complex projects from sourcing and procurement through scheduling and implementation. Her detail-oriented, solutions-driven approach keeps projects on track while maintaining high standards of design and execution. Devon is married with two children and lives in the Western Philadelphia suburbs. She enjoys traveling and exploring new cultures, traditions, and cuisines, often drawing design inspiration from these experiences.

Ani Burnet is a graduate of the Interior Design department at Moore College of Art & Design and brings a decade of experience, having worked with several firms before joining MSD—an opportunity she describes as a “dream come true.” Ani’s design aesthetic is eclectic, leaning toward mid-century modern with bohemian flair. She has a particular appreciation for adaptive reuse and the thoughtful integration of historic architecture with contemporary design. A favorite example is MSD’s Society Hill Loft, where modern millwork, collected furnishings, and thoughtful spatial planning are juxtaposed with the building’s original industrial character. Born and raised in Ellicott City, Maryland, Ani now lives in Southwest Philadelphia and enjoys playing piano, singing, making art, and spending time with her 11-pound “Chiweenie,” Louise.

Mike began his career at the Graham Arader Gallery and the Philadelphia Design Center, where he developed a strong foundation in the art and design industries and an appreciation for craftsmanship, materials, and the collaborative process between designers and clients. That early experience continues to shape his work today, helping him bridge the worlds of design and business. At MSD, Mike oversees the firm’s operations, including finance, human resources, facility management, marketing, and technology. Prior to joining MSD, he spent more than 20 years in telecom and UCaaS sales and account management, bringing extensive experience in business development, operations, and client relationships.Outside the office, Mike remains active in the art and design community as a dealer and collector. An avid traveler, he is known for crafting in-depth itineraries with nearly every hour carefully planned.

Following in the canine footsteps of Ruthie and Jackson, Lou is the current dog-in-residence, bringing loads of cuteness and puppy energy to MSD.