Michele Murfin, NCIDQ

Principal Designer

As a child, Michele practically grew up at the interior design firm where her mother worked in Del Mar, California. She spent countless hours surrounded by colorful samples, floor plans, and designers, absorbing the creative energy that would shape her future. Many of the firm's designers were graduates of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, inspiring Michele to follow the same path and earn her degree in Interior Design there.

After graduation, Michele moved to San Francisco, where she worked for a European kitchen and bath company specializing in German and Italian design. Training in Europe and attending the International Furniture Fair in Cologne broadened her perspective and established a lifelong appreciation for international design.

In 1991, Michele returned to the Central Coast and founded Design Collaborative. For more than three decades, she has created distinctive residential and commercial interiors throughout California and beyond. Her work has been featured in European Homes & Gardens, Sunset, and Food & Wine, and she has received numerous design awards, including First Place from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. She is also NCIDQ certified.

Travel continues to inspire Michele's work, but she believes the best designs begin with understanding the people who will live or work in a space. She is especially passionate about thoughtful space planning and creating environments that are both beautiful and functional.

Outside the studio, Michele serves as Peace and Conflict Resolution Chair for Rotary de Tolosa, leading efforts to bring Peace Poles and peace education to local schools. When she's not traveling or designing, you'll find her hiking the Central Coast with her Labrador, Tess, or experimenting with new recipes for friends and family.