Completely self-taught with 16 years of design experience, John Gray has proven his design talents to his hometown of Chicago, but now he feels it's his time to show the world. John started in retail and merchandising and with just $25,000 he opened up his own furniture store. Seven years after opening the store, he sold it to the one man who told him he couldn't start a furniture store with $25,000 in the first place. Without even a high school diploma, John has parlayed his dream of being a designer into a reality. He now owns his own firm, Gray Consulting, Inc in Chicago. John and his designs have been featured in many Chicago publications, as well as being named one of Chicago's hot new designers. John describes himself as a city boy who's design style is casual elegance. He is particularly strong in paint and construction. John focuses his talents on designing homes even though he says he's allergic to the suburbs. John is a big personality who can do it all. He believes he has a range of styles and there's never a dull moment when he's around. John compares his life to George Michael [the singer]: "I think our lives have both had some serious ups and downs. I can relate to the roller coaster ride."