Team
Norman Design creates custom interiors designed to capture each client’s essence while standing the test of time. Each finished design reflects its owner’s lifestyle and passions. Whether the end product is impeccably tailored or exquisitely worn-in, it is unmistakably home. We believe a home should wrap its arms around you and welcome you home from the chaotic world. Norman Design Group is a diverse design firm, small enough to give each of our clients personalized attention while big enough to manage design work on large scale homes. We work closely with our clients on every project, educating them about the design process so they can make intelligent choices for their home.
Phil Norman ASID CID
Principal
Phil is Norman Design Group’s Design Director and creative founder. As a Graduate of Iowa State University College of Design, he received his BFA in Interior Design. Truly an entrepreneur, Phil moved cross country from Iowa knowing no one and intended on creating a design studio with exceptional people doing extraordinary things.
Phil has assembled an excellent creative team and studio culture and encourages a collaboration of ideas that allows clients to greatly benefit.
He takes an integrated team approach and clearly assesses his client’s vision to ensure the success of each project. Phil acts as a source of expertise and guidance to our clients, aiming at the best possible design solutions.
Phil is just as passionate about Interior Design today as he was 20 years ago and continues to have his eye on today’s demand for creative solutions, comfort and versatility. Phil is a professional member of ASID and is NCIDQ and CID certified.
Elif Karacay NCIDQ, CIDC, ASID
Design Director
An East Coast native, Elif started her design career developing luxury interiors in and around New York City. She carries a BFA in Interior Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology, in New York City. After relocating to Southern California in 2008, Elif joined the team at Norman Design Group, and has been an integral part in making the firm what it is today. As Design Director, Elif has a hand in every project that comes through the doors. Never shying away from a challenge, Elif loves to develop solutions for the most difficult spaces and pushing the design team to step out of their comfort zone and develop the best solutions for our clients.
When she’s not collaborating with the Design Teams on their latest projects, you can find her building sand castles at the beach with her son Jackson or chasing the next snowstorm in Mammoth with her husband Jake.
Meghan Biederman NCIDQ
Senior Designer
Meghan joined our firm in 2014 as a bright-eyed graduate from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design. As an NCIDQ Certified Senior Designer, she leads her team on projects throughout Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.
With an eye for quality and high sense of style, Meghan brings a client centered approach to each project with an innate desire to create beautiful, livable spaces. For her, it’s all about balance—every space must carefully tiptoe the line between sophistication and comfort, beauty and practicality, timeless and chic.
Meghan brings her warm spirit, positive energy, detailed mentality, and dedication to everything she does. Her greatest motivation and joy in life is being a mother to her precious little girls.
Kristin Gray ASID
Senior Designer
Kristin’s passion for interior design started at an early age, building Lego homes and then designing dream homes for her Barbies. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a focus in Legal/Forensic and a Minor in Architecture from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. Working retail right after graduating, when the opportunity arose to move to LA she jumped at the chance to pivot to a career in design. Her career started as a secretary at an architectural office where she was fortunate enough to receive on the job training. Subsequently, she decided to go back to school and earned her Masters of Interior Architecture at UCLA Extension/Cal Poly Pomona.
Kristin’s extensive experience at various residential design firms has offered her valuable insight into all aspects of the interior design business from accounting, design, drafting, client/vendor relations, to project management.
In her personal time, Kristin stays busy with her young son Sebastian and enjoys trying new restaurants with her husband and friends. She hopes to get back into playing tennis soon!
Sonia Castro
Purchasing, Expediting, & Photoshoot Management
Starting out as part time in 2011, Sonia has proved to be a very valuable team member. Thrown into something new and unknown daily, Sonia never waivers from her challenges. Today, she manages all purchase orders, tracks, and plans all installations and is a strategic thinker. She manages hundreds of moving parts daily to ensure our products are on time and helps the design team stay organized.
Sonia handles a wide range of administrative capabilities and is very creative with new ideas of how to improve different aspects of our design studio. Sonia’s cheerful demeanor and can-do attitude make her a very important team member. Her quick thinking allows her to manage organizational and marketing matters at Norman Design Group with ease and grace.
Sonia enjoys spending time with family, friends, and spoiling her cat, Winston. In her spare time, she likes to go to concerts with her husband, check out new restaurants and breweries, attending sporting events, and watching ghost hunting shows!
Cynthia Rios
Studio Administrator
Cynthia, our Studio Administrator, is the newest member of our team! Since 2024, Cynthia has helped keep everything running smoothly at Norman Design Group. Her passion for organization and creativity have really shined through! Her previous background in fundraising events, and business management have given her a strong backbone to dive into the Interior Design field.
Cynthia manages all aspects of the studio’s operations, including a wide range of administrative capabilities. Her proactive approach and attention to detail make her an integral part of the team. Her creativity sparks new ideas that continue to improve many aspects of our design studio.
A South Bay native, Cynthia enjoys spending her free time with her family. Running between sports activities and traveling to new destinations. Cynthia is always ready to see a Dodger’s Game, looks forward to local concerts and loves a good amusement park!
Gabriela Calcagnotto
Interior Design Assistant
Gaby was raised in the South Bay, where her strong sense of community and appreciation for beautiful living environments first took root. Her love for design was sparked during family visits to Brazil, where her aunts introduced her to the artistry of handcrafted pieces and the richness of cultural traditions. These early experiences continue to inspire her deep appreciation for travel, culture, and the power of well-designed spaces to create lasting memories.
She holds a degree in General Biology from Cal State San Marcos, where she developed a meticulous, analytical, and detail-driven approach to her work. Pursuing her true calling, Gaby later completed UCLA’s Interior Design Certificate program, equipping her with the creative and technical foundation to craft functional, thoughtful, and inspiring interiors. She approaches every project with the belief that each detail matters, designing spaces that feel vibrant, foster connection, and celebrate life’s most meaningful moments.
Beyond her work in design, Gaby enjoys time with family and friends, exploring nature, biking along the strand, and discovering new culinary experiences.
