It's our 9th Birthday!
Take a walk down memory lane with us
Pop the champagne! This month, Hyphen is officially nine years old. When Shelly founded the studio in 2017, the goal was simple: to build a design firm that felt personal, thoughtful, and full of heart. Over the past nine years, we’ve learned a lot about design, problem-solving, and what it means to build something amazing alongside the people you love working with. We’re endlessly grateful for the clients who trusted us with their visions, the collaborators who made ideas happen, and the team members who helped shape Hyphen into what it is today.
And, of course, we’ve had a lot of fun along the way. Site visits, studio days, team trips, big reveals, and small wins are the moments that remind us why we love what we do. Today, we’re sharing some of our team’s favorite memories from the past nine years because, at the end of the day, it’s the people and experiences that make it all worth it.
After nine exciting years, this one had to be extra. It’s a longer edition, read it on Substack so nothing gets missed.
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“I loved visiting the Luna Luna exhibition as a team. The performance art was incredible and so unique. Our visits to art exhibitions or museums are always my favorite!” - Emma, Junior Interior Designer
“Our trip to the Glass House was such a fun team bonding experience. A visit to the Glass House has long been on my architecture bucket list, so it felt great to finally check that off together.” - Emily, Interior Designer & Project Manager
“My favorite moments are always when I get to come out and meet up with the team in person. It’s so nice to spend time with everyone, and I always feel so lucky that coming to NY is something I get to do because of Hyphen.” - Rachel, Operations & Purchasing Manager
“A standout moment for me was working on a small conference room project last summer. I had just started at Hyphen, and I had the opportunity to work closely with Eliza, who trusted me with sourcing paint, furniture, and cork wall panels. At the time, it felt like a big milestone - especially so early in my career. Seeing everything come together was incredibly rewarding and made the experience even more meaningful.” - Dereck, Interior Design Assistant
“Project installs are always thrilling - it feels so good to see the design come together! A standout moment was watching the installation of the millwork, tables, and chairs at Danny’s Bistro. As the booths got installed, the open room transformed into an intimate dining space. When you dimmed the lights, you could envision it bustling - full of good food, cocktails, and conversation. Plus, the install happened to line up with the birth of my first baby, which made it feel extra special!” - Eliza, Design Director
“Our holiday party in 2019 - we rapidly transformed our Sullivan St. office into a cozy and festive cocktail-and-hors d’œuvres destination for our team and all of our beloved vendors to celebrate the holiday season and a successful year. Little did we know what 2020 was going to throw at us, so it was great we got to celebrate all together before COVID turned our lives upside down!” - Natalie, Technical Interior Designer
“I’m particularly proud of the millwork installation at a recent Brooklyn apartment that we did with Superabundance. It turned out beautifully, and it was so exciting to see a design of ours come to life. Our client has great taste and chose a gorgeous combination of finishes - clear stained walnut with Philip Jeffries wallcovering.” - Emma, Junior Interior Designer
“A project I particularly enjoyed working on was Great Many Atlanta. Seeing it come together so beautifully was really rewarding, and the process itself was just as memorable. The collaboration with our client was great, and the hands-on install was a fun way to bring the project full circle.” - Emily, Interior Designer & Project Manager
“My proudest moment overall is probably seeing Saie in Architectural Digest. I know how hard the designers work on every project, and receiving recognition like that is so exciting and so deserved.” - Rachel, Operations & Purchasing Manager
“Working on Saie’s flagship office - I still catch myself in disbelief that I had the opportunity to work on such a cool space with such an impactful beauty company. And for it to be featured in Architectural Digest is definitely a highlight (no pun intended) of my time at Hyphen!” - Natalie, Technical Interior Designer
“In my mind, there’s nothing better than a small detail that makes a space appear neat and tidy. When designing the bathroom vanity at PVolve’s Studio, we didn’t want anything to distract from the gorgeous pink marble slab we found. So, we managed to fully conceal the paper towel dispensers behind false front lockers so you couldn’t see them until you were up close and using the sink. Magic!” - Eliza, Design Director
“Our PRFCT photoshoot in La Jolla was unforgettable! It was an absolute whirlwind weekend (and my first work trip!), but I always love spending time in California. It was amazing to see the space come together and help guide such a big photoshoot. In the midst of running around, I was able to sit at one of my favorite spots at the cliffs and watch the sunset.” - Diana, Content & Marketing Coordinator
“I genuinely love being part of our project photoshoots for the portfolio. They give me a chance to tap back into my creativity, especially since my day-to-day role is more admin-focused. Styling shoots reminds me why I love design in the first place. Last spring, I took a webinar on photoshoot styling to continue building my skills, and I learned so much from the photographer and designer who led it. It shifted the way I think about preparation and helped me approach shoots with more intention and confidence. My favorite shoot from last year was Carberry Wine Bar. I’m incredibly proud of our team for creating such a layered, thoughtful, and playful space. Being able to style it felt really special, and I think that joy and care truly came through in the final imagery.” - Nathelie, Director, Operations & Brand
“Happy anniversary, Hyphen! It is difficult to narrow down specific moments because what truly stands out to me is how our team collaborates to reach design resolutions. Whether during the initial design phases or later in construction, those “Eureka” moments are what stand out the most. They are the essential turning points that result in the beautiful and functional designs Hyphen is known for.” - Anna, Director, Technical Design
“Nine years in, and I’m feeling incredibly lucky for our clients, our community, and the team that makes Hyphen what it is. It’s been so amazing watching our team grow alongside a portfolio of spaces and clients we’re genuinely proud of.” - Shelly, Founder & Principal Designer
Thank you for being part of our journey, and here’s to what’s next! 🍾🥂
Thank you x9,
From the Corner Chaise