ABOUT GRACE BLU INTERIOR DESIGN
Behind the Brand
When Rona Graf launched Grace Blu in 2007, she made the intentional decision not to use her own name. From the beginning, her vision for her design studio was a “collaborative of creatives” that would combine their skills and experiences to create one-of-a-kind spaces.
The Grace Blu mindset and mantra is "designing outside the box." The meaning is two-fold, as seen in their convention challenging designs and client-centric approach. Rona and team forgo genre and rigid process, instead editing their approach and style to create a fresh and inimitable space every single time.
Grace Blu has received the attention of many regional and national publications like HGTV Magazine, Arch Digest, California Homes, Better Homes & Gardens, CA Home & Design, RUE Magazine, Modern Luxury, Orange County Register, and Coast Magazine. Most recently, Grace Blu was honored with the title of HGTV Designer of the Year 2020.
Although Grace Blu is based in Orange County, California, they have recently decided to expand to the East Coast and set up another office in Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina.
Street Cred...
"THE BEST THING ABOUT WORKING WITH
GRACE BLU HAS BEEN THAT THEY REALLY LISTEN TO & HONOR THEIR CLIENT'S PERSONALITIES."
- MICHELE R.
RONA GRAF
Founder and Principal Designer
Rona is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is a former educator who discovered that her true passion was design when she moved to sunny California. She quickly combined her master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh with a formal education in Interior Design from the Interior Designers Institute in Newport Beach, CA, and Grace Blu was born. Her mid-west roots and values combined with her love of world travel contribute to her unique design approach and sophisticated design aesthetic. A yoga instructor for over sixteen years, Rona’s approach to design and service is often described as “holistic” by her clients and colleagues.
When Rona is not busy designing, she usually hangs at the beach watching her son surf, carpooling teenage boys to lacrosse games, traveling with her family and 111 pound Great Pyrenees, or spending time in her garden finding her zen time.
Her superpower is her ability to juggle meetings and her son’s sporting events like a boss and being a dancing queen on any finished table in sight!
DENISE DELGADILLO
Procurement Manager
Denise Delgadillo is a Los Angeles native who has a love for photography, culture, and music. She loves being part of Grace Blu’s dynamic team, taking care of the practical side of the business, while feeling inspired by the team’s creativity and accomplishments. With 15 years of experience in business administration, she has spent those years working for the Port of Long Beach, the entertainment industry, and with leading commercial & high-end residential design firms. Her administrative background highlights her abilities to keep our office running efficiently and well-organized, all while maintaining a keen eye for detail.
When Denise is not working, you can find her outdoors with her family, trail running, reading a book, or learning a new skill. She also volunteers her time with Latina Geeks – a non-profit that helps empower women by sharing entrepreneur resources, technical knowledge, and business skills through hands-on workshops and community events all across the US.
Denise’s superpower is creating her own “So You Think You Can Dance” show on her trail runs.
KATIE MILLER
Designer
Katie Miller, a California Native, was born and raised in Napa Valley. She has always had a passion for the creative arts. A former ballerina, she studied Kinesiology and Dance Science before finding her love for design. Katie then received her certificate in Interior Merchandising and her Associates in Science in Interior Design. In school, her focus was on sustainable design and has a love for all things vintage and eclectic.
In her free time, she can be found chatting, enjoying movies, and barbecuing with family and friends. She loves hiking and observing nature, weekend travel, and digging for treasures at antique markets.
Her superpower is enjoying a good charcuterie board and glass of wine.
CYNTHIA GOMEZ
Assistant Designer
Meet Cynthia Gomez, a true California native rocking her Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design from California State Long Beach. With a legacy spanning two generations of contractors, this industry is in her DNA!
When Cynthia isn't on the hunt for furniture or diving into specifications, Cynthia is exploring new coastal trails and testing her eye in landscape photography.
Here's the real magic – Cynthia can bust a move on the dance floor! Now that's what we call a design superhero!
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COURTNEY GREGG
Designer
Courtney is an Orange County native and an Interior Design graduate from Orange Coast College. She previously studied Sociology and in the restaurant industry for over a decade. Her design aesthetic includes neutral colors, lots of texture, and an organic and edgy vibe. She loves hiking with her dog Nova, gardening, and traveling to new places.
Her superpower is whipping up a great spicy margarita.
JADA BURKHALTER
Designer
Jada was born and raised in Northern California. After pursuing an English degree at Penn State, she returned to the West Coast, settling in Orange County with her young family. While designing their first home, she rediscovered her love for interior design. She has nearly ten years of experience working in restaurants and is a recent graduate of Orange Coast College with degrees in Interior Design and Art History. She loves eclectic design and draws inspiration from fine art.
In her free time, she loves to curl up with a good book.
Jada’s superpower is making the perfect cup of English breakfast tea.
SALLIE STOUT
Marketing Manager
Sallie grew up in between Mississippi and Louisiana. After pursuing Art and Journalism at Ole Miss, she moved to the West Coast to start her career and be by the ocean. Sallie spends her free time editing, writing, and adding color to anything she wears or works on.
Sallie is the magic behind the camera and the one who brings you all the behind the scenes in Grace Blu. Not only does she have amazing style, but she has the personality to bring it! She loves to capture the seriousness of the work that goes into the projects, but also, she's been known to catch a few bloopers around the studio.
Most of her time is spent talking with prospective clients, running the Grace Blu Shoppe and keeping up with all the coolest trends and designs. She is our writer extraordinaire with flair!
Sallie's superpower is mixing patterns and thrifting timeless pieces like no other!
