“Fundamentally I trust the process… I trust that if you nail down certain parameters, without knowing what the final result will be, you can make great decisions and love what happens. Rather than imposing an answer, you set off on a journey confident that you will get there.”
cira j.s. raab, founder & lead designer
Having been raised and surrounded by artists her entire life, Cira embodies an innate talent that has evolved within her far before design school. She is most grateful for the deeply emotional response her clients exude, time and time again. Cira works from an intuitively creative place that manifests through the impact of color, texture, original artwork, vintage pieces, and maverick narratives. Blending modernity with traditional aesthetics, she creates internationally relevant works and is available for booking worldwide. Based outside of Philadelphia, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Cira lives with her two wonderfully-bizarre-children, and her spoiled mutt, Frankie Waffles.
julia OGDEN, design team
Julia joined the CJD Team in January of 2020 as a WCU intern and evolved into a designer. Since childhood, Julia has always had a passion for creating and designing. Once she had the opportunity to redesign her family home, she realized that Interior Design was the industry that brought her the most professional joy. Since joining Cira James Design, Julia has had the opportunity to grow as a stager & designer, while imparting her business acumen to the team. Julia is currently enrolled at The New York Institute of Art + Design, and is currently moonlighting with the CJD Team as she has taken on a corporate position.
taylor reber, design team
After working in corporate marketing for over ten years, Taylor pivoted her efforts to interior design and home staging. Her affinity for inspired interiors and home decor led her to Cira James Design, and her passion and design instincts helped land her a spot on the CJD team in 2020. In addition to design and staging work, Taylor supports the project management needs of our clients and is an avid home organizer. Her favorite part about design is blending styles — she loves combining contemporary with traditional to create spaces that feel livable and timeless. Taylor lives in West Chester with her husband, two gorgeous children, and three dogs.
Sonny smith, Install team
Harold “Sonny” Smith hails from the Antiques & Auction world where he has traveled far and wide for appraisals and acquisitions for his family’s company, as well as respected auction houses. Sonny is also a musician and has been a CJD team member since 2016. He helps with some of our deliveries and of course our install days!
Cameron Taylor, Install team
Our charming-comedic-curmudgeon, “Cam” has magnetic wit and wisdom that our clients adore as much as we do. Cam’s anecdotal stories are as multi-faceted as his resume! A writer by nature (and past profession), he is pursuing small business endeavors with his wife Lauren and keeps the CJD Installation Days fueled with brains, brawn, and power tools.
MEGAN NEFF, design team & Administrator
Megan has always had an innate love for interiors and architecture. A Drexel graduate with a degree in design, she began working for an esteemed designer in 2006 whom she credits for growing her knowledge of antiques, art, and textiles. With an appreciation for the narrative that old homes exude, she bought a converted school house from the early 1900’s. Megan will always stop for furniture discarded on the side of the road, especially random chairs, which she probably has too many of! We love the energy she has brought to the CJD Team. Megan wears many hats for us including design, installation, purchase management, and correspondence.