Entrepreneur, bestselling author, and TV personality Mike Michalowicz has built a career helping others take control of their time, energy, and money. When it came time to renovate his New Jersey home, he turned to Aurora Kitchens and Interiors, a design and remodeling firm known for creating smart, personalized spaces.
Aurora’s founder and lead designer, Kolbe Clark, first met Mike at a Somerset County Business Partnership event. After reading his books and joining a mastermind he led, she was thrilled when Mike and his wife Krista first hired Aurora to renovate their kitchen. A bathroom followed, and years later, a final ask: to transform their long-discussed basement.
“This one was the most complex—and the most fun,” Kolbe says. “They wanted it all: a space for entertainment, work, guests, games… and a hidden door.”
Creating the “Fame Cave”
This wasn’t your typical man cave. It had to function for the whole family while reflecting Mike’s creative spirit. The wish list was long: a home office, Murphy bed, wet bar, shuffleboard, fireplace nook, and room to relax.
Designer Corinne Ughetta and lead carpenter John Busse led the charge, tackling design and structural challenges. “We had to plan around low ceilings and plumbing on a slab foundation,” Corinne says. “So we used repeating design elements to unify the space visually.”
Smart Style
The space blends utility with comfort and style. The kitchenette hides plumbing behind deco panels, while the bar area features lit glass cabinetry for collectibles. Cabinet depths were customized to allow for shuffleboard play. Different tile sizes help define zones: smaller by the fireplace, larger by the bar. Mechanical components were relocated to accommodate multiple TVs and still allow for heating and cooling.
A black barn door gives Mike’s office a clean, stylish entrance, adding flow and function near the fireplace.
The Secret Passageway
Mike jokingly mentioned a hidden door early on—something inspired by Young Frankenstein. What started as a fun idea became a must-have centerpiece.
The team built a custom bookcase door from Mike’s office that leads to a guest suite with its own secret door back to the main area. A built-in Murphy bed with nightstand and tall storage makes it a favorite among overnight guests.
“It’s unlike anything we’ve built,” John says. “A bookcase, a brick façade, and a mirrored hidden door—it took real ingenuity.”
A Space That Reflects the Client
Known for his bestselling books like Profit First, Mike brings bold thinking to everything he does—and Aurora delivered a space that mirrors that mindset.
Among Mike’s favorite features? “The three TVs to watch games, the cozy but spacious office, and of course—showing off the secret room. Who doesn’t love a hidden room?”
Now, the once-unused basement is a vibrant space for hosting, working, playing, and relaxing—layered with personal meaning and full of surprises.
“What makes this space so special,” Corinne reflects, “is how personal it is. Every element has a reason and a memory. That’s what great design is all about.”
Aurora Kitchens & Interiors
Address: 10 E Cliff St, Somerville
Phone: (908) 566-8555
Website: auroradesignsnj.com