Shawn Henderson's Holiday Picks

Let Shawn’s unique taste suggest you and find your next gift in this curated selection made by the designer. His main inspiration is the uniqueness of Italian craftsmanship, and the beauty of precious materials and handcrafted details.

Shawn Henderson has been a fixture on the international design scene for more than two decades. His work is synonymous with unpretentious luxury, sophistication, and beauty. His interiors privilege connoisseurship as well as comfort, drawing inspiration from the past to conjure environments firmly rooted in the present, deftly attuned to the rituals of contemporary life. Among his many accolades, Henderson has been named to Architectural Digest’s prestigious AD100 and the Elle Decor A-List.

What’s your ritual to get yourself into the holiday spirit?

I love this time of year in New York City! There’s an incredible energy in the air leading up to the holidays. I thoroughly enjoy walking around the city and taking in the windows on 5th Avenue, seeing the tree at Rockefeller Center, going to a show on Broadway…it’s all so nostalgic to me. Lastly, as a company, we try to give back in some way. This year we’ll be volunteering in the kitchen at God’s Love We Deliver. I’m really happy to be doing something like this, as a team, at this time of year.

What’s your most cherished holiday tradition?

Every year I host my family for Christmas Eve. It’s a tradition that I’ve kept in place since I’ve had my house in upstate New York (where I grew up). I’m the youngest of six with lots of nieces and nephews. Christmas Eve is incredibly special to me, and it always turns out to be an evening with wonderful food and lots of laughter.

How will your holiday tabletop look like this year?

My table is a mixture of new and old. I set the table with my Ginori 1735 Oriente Italiano dinnerware. Ginori’s craftsmanship is so special and the color range stunning. For my home I selected the Ginori’s albus colorway which combines a creamy alabaster white with a watercolor-like black design. I add a collection Nason Moretti glassware which I found on a trip I took to Italy a few years back. I then like to add my mother’s candleholders which she used every year at Christmas. Finally, to finish the table off I use multiple arrangements of fresh flowers and lots of different height candles.

When picking the perfect gift what do you look for?

For me, finding the perfect gift is specific to the person I am buying for. I try keep a few things in in mind when selecting a gift, who I am buying for, the occasion at hand, and what I think someone may need. I don’t like clutter or having to search for things so I would consider my Canteen Tray collection for Il Bisonte for someone who also responds to organization.

Shawn Henderson's Holiday Picks

More Designers' Holiday Picks