
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been expressing myself through creating. This ability and passion for bringing the ideas of my mind into a living reality is what initially drew me to design. I started in architecture, receiving a Bachelor of Architecture and, eventually, a Master of Interior Architecture degree.
I began my career at a high-end architecture and interior design firm in Los Angeles, where I put my education into practice and found my calling in designing homes that married luxury and livability. Spending my formative years studying architecture gave me a foundational understanding of how homes are built, from concept to completion.
After I spent a few years refining my skills and honing in on my personal aesthetic, I launched Madison Nicole Design, a full-service interior design firm, in Santa Barbara. Since, I’ve had the honor of helping countless clients realize their dreams for their homes and the lives they live there. It never gets old.
The Santa Barbara landscape—its botanical bounty, sandy shorelines, and Spanish-inspired architecture—provides an endless well of design inspiration that carries over organically into my work. My clients see their own coastal lifestyle mirrored within their homes—thoughtful, relaxed, and effortlessly beautiful.

Meet the team

TIA CARDENAS
Senior Designer
A Ventura County local with a great eye for design, Tia makes up a huge part of the MND team. She joined us in 2021 and quickly proved that she was a perfect fit. Organic and cozy neutrals are her personal happy place, but she can knock a home filled with color out of the park just as easily. She catches all the spiders and reaches all the top shelves that nobody else can, which proves invaluable in a crunch! When she’s not in the office, you can find her at the local park with her pups Tiller + Hank, or on a sunset bike ride with her husband.

MEGAN PADILLA
Senior Designer
Growing up in New York City gave Megan early exposure to a broad range of arts and culture. Megan received an MFA in Interior Design from Corcoran School of Arts & Design after a career in marketing and public affairs. She brings a broad range of experiences to her work, including a knack for creative problem-solving. Megan lives in Ventura with her husband and dog, the inimitable Mr. Pants. She is always in search of a good book, a new restaurant to try and interesting vacation destinations.

OLIVE CHATTA
Junior Designer
Olive is a junior designer who loves bringing together cultures, ideas, and beautiful spaces. After earning a Political Science degree from UC Riverside, she worked in Hawaii and England before returning to sunny California. Now based in Ventura and studying interior architecture at UCLA Extension, she brings fresh, feel-good energy to every space she helps create. When she’s not designing, she’s painting, digging in the garden, or roaming with her camera to capture bits of nature.

LAURA CHIN
Senior Designer
Laura's journey is a testament to her diverse interests and adaptable spirit. After graduating from Cal Poly with a degree in Kinesiology, she explored digital media and non-profit fundraising before discovering her passion for interior architecture and design at UC Berkeley Extension. With experience in both residential and commercial design firms in the Bay Area, Laura eventually settled in Santa Barbara with her husband and cute dog Ziggy. Outside of design, she finds joy in beach days, hiking, traveling, live music, and sewing.

KERI LEO
Operations Manager
Keri is our behind-the-scenes powerhouse that keeps MND moving forward. She ensures every order is placed, tracked, and delivered, keeps our shop running like a dream, and fine-tunes all the systems making life easier for the whole team. Her mix of big-picture thinking and get-it-done focus keeps projects humming and clients happy. A longtime fan of beautiful spaces, Keri loves that her role lets her blend a love of organization with an appreciation for great design. When she’s off the clock, she’s busy with her favorite role - mom to two lively little ones who keep her inspired with their endless curiosity and joy.

KRISTIN KETRING
Junior Designer
Kristin is an interior designer with a rich mix of creative paths. After earning her Interior Design degree at FIDM, she sharpened her eye as a set decorator in film, then spent five years serving as a youth pastor before returning to design. A Southern California native, she draws inspiration from the coast and deserts, blending the calm of wabi-sabi with Palm Beach’s airy vibrance. Her work reflects a love of nature, serenity, and striking contrasts.

Hi, I'm Madi!
When I'm not designing beautiful homes, I am at home in Ventura with my husband and three dogs. You will find me biking along the ocean, kayaking in the harbor, or looking for the best local tacos.