about the interior designer..

 

 

Samantha Norman is an artist, photographer, and interior designer on a mission to create unique, eclectic spaces that evoke emotion and inspire self-realization within the communities around her.

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Originally raised in Houston, Samantha felt the pull to explore beyond her hometown. She spent five years in Norman, Oklahoma, where she earned a degree in Interior Design with a minor in Architecture from the University of Oklahoma.

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After graduating, Samantha moved to San Francisco to immerse herself in the design world. She began her career as an apprentice at an architecture firm where she worked on international Apple Store designs. While the experience was invaluable, she soon realized her passion was rooted more deeply in the furniture and interiors industry.

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She transitioned into a role as a graphic designer for a residential furniture showroom, where she learned the art of marketing unique accessories, custom furniture, and local artwork. During this time, Samantha discovered her long-term goal of opening her own design business.

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To further expand her knowledge, she began working for a furniture representative specializing in high-end commercial furniture lines for office and lobby spaces. In this role, Samantha collaborated with some of San Francisco’s top interior designers and furniture dealers. Their clients included major tech companies such as Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Autodesk, and LinkedIn. This experience gave her an in-depth understanding of furniture manufacturing, quality materials, and how to design with the client’s needs at the center of every decision.

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Always eager to learn more, Samantha later joined a high-end residential design firm where she gained hands-on experience working with general contractors and managing large-scale design projects. During this chapter of her life, she lived in Colorado and developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors. Her time hiking and backpacking in nature inspired a new perspective on color, which soon became a defining element of her design work.

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With a growing passion for color theory and a desire for creative independence, Samantha founded Designstore more than ten years ago. Her business focuses on helping clients design both interiors and exteriors, specializing in paint color consulting and full exterior remodel concepts. Many of her projects are completed remotely, allowing her to collaborate with clients across the country.

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Her love of adventure eventually led her to take her work on the road as a traveling interior designer. While traveling across the United States, Samantha renovated RVs and continued working with her online clients. These RV projects became a creative platform where she experimented with bold color palettes and innovative design concepts. Along the way, she also developed hands-on construction skills and learned to work confidently with power tools.

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During this time, she met Jay Shafer, widely known as the founder of the tiny house movement, at a tiny house festival. The two became friends and eventually collaborated on building a tiny house on the back of Samantha’s truck, where she lived full-time while towing her RV renovation projects.

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After years of life on the road, Samantha decided it was time to put down roots and build a more grounded lifestyle. Today she is based in Austin, Texas, where she continues to run Designstore and work remotely with clients across the country.

Samantha’s personal design style leans toward vintage eclectic, though she enjoys helping clients achieve any aesthetic that truly reflects who they are. Her ultimate goal as a designer is simple: to help people create spaces they genuinely love living in.

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When she isn’t designing, Samantha enjoys hiking, exploring local art galleries, and spending time outdoors. By her side is her loyal companion Gremmy, a 90-pound German Shepherd mix who accompanies her on many of her adventures.