We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Becky Shea and Jake Shea a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Becky Shea and Jake Shea thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
Becky Shea: I aspire for my legacy to reflect kindness, gentleness, compassion, and empathy as defining qualities. I wish to be remembered for the warmth, inclusivity, and sense of significance I instilled in others. Personally, my greatest joy derives from honoring and uplifting those around me, making them feel like the most cherished individuals in the world—because indeed, they are. Designing homes serves as an extension of this ethos, crafting spaces that evoke a profound sense of belonging. It gives me purpose, and if there’s one thing I’d like to be remembered for, it’s fostering a sense of rootedness and grounding in people’s homes, allowing them to inhabit a space where they feel most authentically themselves.”
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Becky Shea: I’ve always appreciated the art of homemaking, finding joy in the smallest of details. When the company I worked for closed its doors and selected a few of us, including myself, to assist in its closure, I saw an opportunity to realign with my long-term aspirations. Reflecting on my options, I found myself at a crossroads: brand development or interior design. Despite being more familiar with one, can you guess which path I chose? Interior design!
My exposure had been limited to observing my grandfather’s craftsmanship in building cabinets and rearranging my own bedroom multiple times as a child. Determined to learn, I devised a business plan and sought apprenticeship under a family friend—an experienced interior designer. I wanted to absorb every aspect of the craft. After working with her, I dedicated countless hours to self-education, poring over YouTube tutorials to teach myself CAD, Photoshop, and Sketch-up.
Self-taught and fortified with resilience, I established a full-service interior design studio in NYC in 2015, extending our reach across the country. Our approach is comprehensive, engaging from the early architectural stages to ensure homes align with our clients’ lifestyles. We oversee every detail, from millwork, lighting, stone, and tile to soft goods and furnishings, styling, and even photography, finding immense catharsis in this process.
I believe that applying my diverse way of thinking is what truly distinguishes us and allows me to utilize my polymathic brain.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
Becky Shea: Every person we encounter on this journey contributes significantly to our growth and success. Our clients, in particular, are our strongest advocates, entrusting us to articulate and bring their visions to life. Infusing personality, authenticity, and compassion into our process is paramount. We view each new project as the beginning of a long-term relationship—sometimes spanning two to four years per project. This extended duration allows us to truly get to know our clients; they become more than just collaborators, they become friends. I regularly check in with clients, sharing meals, conversations, sending cards, and commemorating special dates. Understanding the people I work with is pivotal because I play a crucial role in their lives, a responsibility I take immense pride in.
We convey to our clients that we’re in it for the long haul—it’s a commitment that binds us indefinitely. Our practice of seasonal turnovers through our ‘Chief of Home’ series keeps us connected. These turnovers, occurring every three months as the seasons change, involve cycling decor and introducing handmade dried floral arrangements, often crafted from flora we harvest from our own garden during autumn and winter. These rituals ensure a continuous connection with our clients while infusing new delights into their homes.
Paying attention to details, actively listening to their stories, and comprehending their aspirations allows us to architect a lifestyle that fosters growth and happiness.
The emphasis on maintaining ongoing relationships through regular check-ins and shared experiences, contributes to fostering a deep sense of loyalty and connection with the brand.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Our primary source of new clients has been referrals from our existing clients. Building a community where we’re the go-to for friends and family has become a vital aspect of our business ethos. We thrive on collaborating with individuals who are connected in some way. Moreover, these referrals validate the satisfaction of our work, signifying a level of trust where clients entrust us with their closest loved ones, knowing that we’ll create something truly exceptional for them as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beckyshea.com
- Instagram: @beckysheadesign
Image Credits
All photos are taken by Jake Shea