Katie Menon never had a lightbulb moment where she realized interior design was her dream job. In fact, it wasn’t even her Plan B.
“A lot of the designers on my team are newer, right out of graduate school, and they knew right away that they wanted to be interior designers, and I didn’t,” says Menon. “But I think as a business owner, there’s a lot of value from looking at previous experience and using that to inform your current passion or career pursuit.”
Menon has a degree in political science and Latin American studies, and briefly considered pursuing law or medicine. It wasn’t until she moved into her dream home 11 years ago that she realized how much she truly loved the process of design.
She founded Stephenson Interiors in 2017 while attending the New York School of Interior Design, a prestigious interior design institution that is ranked one of the top eight in the world. At the time, Menon was working out of her home office with one employee. The brand switched to Stephenson House when she found a physical studio and retail space on the street level of The MacLaren building (corner of 102nd Avenue and 124th Street) during the pandemic.
“It was a really exciting transition and may seem insignificant, but it’s more akin to the fashion houses of Europe, which are really based in classic design,” says Menon. “Having a more significant name like Stephenson House felt really good.”
Stephenson House is a luxury full service interior design firm specializing in original remodels, renovations and new construction, where designers work closely with the homeowner, builder and architect from the initial stages to make sure every finish and detail is exceptional. For Menon, interior design isn’t about finding pieces that take up space — it’s about finding pieces that work together to provide beauty, inspiration and serve an intentional purpose in someone’s home.
Whether you’re an existing or new client, the Stephenson House shop is a great place to start, says Menon. Located just off 124th Street, the shop features the design studio and retail space where you can browse from a curated selection of decor.
“What makes the shop very unique is that, yes, we have furniture, we have artwork, we have decor, but it’s very contextual,” says Menon. “It provides a really nice opportunity for people to envision the piece in their space without being overwhelmed by other pieces.”
At the end of the day, what makes Menon most proud of her work is the final reveal for a client.
“It’s about creating great environments for our clients and their families and really being able to see the value and having them recognize the value.”
Discover Stephenson House’s services at stephensonhouse.co or stop by the design studio and retail space, located at 12323 102 Ave.
