Shawn Henderson

I create interiors that feel comfortably sophisticated, rich and relaxed . . . interiors that inspire you daily through nuance, harmony and contrasts . . . interiors that reflect your needs and spirit . . . interiors that truly feel like home.
I grew up knowing exactly what i wanted to do for a living and where i wanted to live. After receiving my BFA in interior design from the Rochester Institute of Technology I headed straight for New York City to pursue my dream.
My education in interior design started at home. As the youngest of six children, I loved to rearrange our living room furniture in our home in upstate New York near Albany. My parents owned a popular local tavern, and family life was all about creating welcoming environments. During the summers, I camped in the nearby Adirondacks and the magnificence of the mountains and deep dark lakes inspire me to this day.
Today, as an interior designer, I believe I have a responsibility to inform my work with integrity. That means respecting the environment in every sense of the word: using craftsmen whose work is true to their art forms, working with sustainable materials, using vintage furnishings and choosing products that are honestly produced and made.
My creative process begins by listening to my clients then contemplating how design can make their lives more beautiful. The beauty is in the details: lightness, flexibility and cleanliness. I see newfound beauty in old materials and furnishings, and often reclaim them in fresh new ways. The furniture that I design reflects familiar forms, but the lines are pared down and more pure. Often I am drawn to serene palettes punctuated with rich splashes of color. No one element stands out – the layers and unexpected mix achieves a harmonious balance.
Building from these principles, putting a home together is a joy, one that has resonated with my clients and the design world. My work has been published in Architectural Digest, Veranda, Elle Decor, Luxe, House Beautiful, The New York Times and NY Spaces. I have also had the great honor of being named to the AD100, Architectural Digest’s annual compendium of the world’s top designers.
Accolades aside, however, my greatest satisfaction comes from creating homes that are comfortable, tactile and inviting to live in, and that embody the personalities of my wonderful clients.