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ABOUT GRACE BLU INTERIOR DESIGN

Behind the Brand

Design Outside the Box

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.

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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...

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"THE BEST THING ABOUT WORKING WITH 
GRACE BLU HAS BEEN THAT THEY REALLY LISTEN TO & HONOR THEIR CLIENT'S PERSONALITIES."

- MICHELE R.

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Rona Graf Principal Interior Designer Grace Blu

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.

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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!

KATIE MILLER

Desginer

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.

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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.

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Her superpower is enjoying a good charcuterie board and glass of wine.

Katie Miller Interior Designer Grace Blu
Courtney Gregg Interior Designer Grace Blu

COURTNEY GREGG

Designer

Courtney is an Orange County native and an Interior Design graduate from Orange Coast College. She previously studied Sociology and has been 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.

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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.

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In her free time, she loves to curl up with a good book.

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Jada's superpower is making the perfect cup of English breakfast tea.

Jada Burkhalter Interior Designer Grace Blu
Juliet Issa Interior Designer Grace Blu

JULIET ISSA

Designer

Raised in Orange County, Juliet honed her design skills at Cal State Long Beach, graduating with a degree in Interior Design. With her love for all things design, she finds happiness transforming spaces to their fullest potential. Her design aesthetic consists of monochromatic color palette bringing in depth and textures.

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With her spare time, she enjoys trying out new restaurants, going to concerts, and staying active. Juliet's superpower is creating a good music playlist.

JESS JONES

Senior Designer

Jessica Jones is an Allied ASID designer with 20 years of interior design experience, with a degree in Interior Design from IDI in Newport Beach, CA.

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Jessica's passion for design is in her blood and has remained constant in her life. She is the granddaughter of a custom furniture designer and upholsterer, and the daughter of an executive for an international aircraft cabin design firm, making Jessica a third-generation designer.

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Jessica enjoys traveling to hidden places around the world to feed her passion for historic architecture and design. She makes a point of seeing at least one new place a year. She loves uniquely curated culinary experiences and is an avid reader and a lifelong learner. She appreciates quiet moments of reflection and draws inspiration from nature and through her local and international adventures.

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Jessica was the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Orange County President for 2021-2022.

Jess Jones Interior Designer Grace Blu
Mily Gonzalez Interior Designer Grace Blu

MILY GONZALEZ

Technical Designer

Born and raised in Long Beach, Mily has always been deeply rooted in the vibrant and diverse culture of Southern California. She began her educational journey at Long Beach City College and Golden West College, where she studied Design and later transferred to Cal State Long Beach.

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Her love for architecture and design lead her to master the technical aspects of AutoCAD, 3D modeling, and space planning. She thrives on solving design challenges and bringing innovative ideas to life.

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Her superpower is being her own manicurist and effortlessly changing her nail color and style to suit any occasion or outfit.

MELINA Copp

Procurement & Designer

Step into Melina's world of enchanting interior design, where creativity intertwines seamlessly with an unabashed love for life's simple pleasures. A Midwest native with a passion for design as vast as the prairie sky, Melina brings together her BA in Journalism from Indiana University and her associate degree for interior design from IDI to craft spaces that tell captivating stories.

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Inspired by muted hues and the art of blending styles, Melina's signature aesthetic effortlessly marries modern sophistication with timeless charm. Her personal favorite? The whimsical allure of "grandma-garden chic" - a delightful fusion of vintage elegance and botanical whimsy.

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When she's not immersed in a Taylor Swift album, you'll find Melina lost in the pages of a novel, baking delectable treats in her kitchen, or exploring the great outdoors with her beloved cat, Minnie, by her side.

Melina Copp Interior Designer Grace Blu
Cynthia Gomez Interior Designer Grace Blu

CYNTHIA GOMEZ

Design Assistant

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!

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When Cynthia isn't on the hunt for furniture or driving into specifications, Cynthia is exploring new coastal trails and testing her eye in landscape photography.

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Here's the real magic - Cynthia can bust a move on the dance floor! Now that's what I call a design superhero!

KAYLA SMITH

Design Assistant

Born and raised in Orange County, Kayla grew up surrounded by the industry of design, specifically in residential custom homes. She has had a heart for design since she was little, which led her to pursue her passion for interior design at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

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Kayla is currently continuing her education to get her Bachelor's degree at the Interior Design Institute. She gravitates towards creativity and loves making spaces that help people feel their best selves. 

 

Kayla’s superpower is being able to stay fully energized without a single cup of coffee or caffeine and with little to no sleep!

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Kayla Smith Interior Designer Grace Blu
Kylee Fredericks Graphic Designer Grace Blu

KYLEE FREDERICKS

Design Assistant / Graphic Designer

A passionate graphic designer hailing from Philadelphia, renowned for her exceptional editing skills, boundless creativity, and a knack for crafting custom wallpapers that transform spaces. With a keen eye for detail and a love for visual storytelling, Kylee specializes in bringing ideas to life through vibrant and personalized designs. Whether it's revamping digital interfaces or curating bespoke visuals, she thrives on pushing boundaries and exceeding expectations.

SALLIE STOUT

Marketing and Styling

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.

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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, she has the personality to bring it! She loves to capture the seriousness of work that goes into the projects, but also, she's been known to capture a few bloopers around the studio.

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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!

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Sallie's superpower is mixing patterns and thrifting timeless pieces like no other.

Sallie Stout Creative Marketer Social Media Manager Grace Blu
Lara-Newton Chief of Staff Grace Blu

LARA NEWTON

Client Relations Director

Lara Newton brings a passion for design and client satisfaction to her role as Director of Client Relations at Grace Blue, a leading interior design firm renowned for its elegant and innovative spaces. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to understanding clients' needs, Lara ensure that every project reflects both style and functionality.

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Outside the office, Lara indulges her love for classic cars, specifically vintage Porches, by attending car shows and doing rallies globally. She finds balance in the serenity of beach days, her favorite place to relax and unwind. Lara's diverse interests and dedication to excellence make her a valued leader at Grace Blu, where she continues to elevate the client experience through personalized design solutions.

CHECK OUT
OUR LATEST
WORK

We create bold, distinctive spaces that celebrate what makes you, you. It's individuality, elevated. We call it "Designing Outside the Box".

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