About US
Henley is a residential interior design firm based in Salem, Massachusetts that specializes in crafting highly personal spaces that are informed by tradition yet support the modern lifestyles of our clients. Founded by Sarah Henley in 2017, our studio works on projects ranging from decorating to full-scale renovations and new construction. Our portfolio spans a diverse variety of properties, from coastal compounds to city pieds-à-terre. Recent and ongoing projects include a new-build family retreat on Martha’s Vineyard, a renovation of an 1802 historic property in New Hampshire, and a prewar co-op in New York’s Greenwich Village.
Each project we design is guided foremost by the needs and lifestyles of our clients, the architecture of the home, and the location of the property, rather than by a signature style. Our studio shares a reverence for history and craft while embracing innovation, ensuring our projects endure over time.
The Studio
Our studio is located on Church Street in the former Salem Water Company Office building, which was built in 1879 in the heart of historic Salem, Massachusetts. It serves as a multifunctional meeting space and design office, where our team has room to collaborate and get inspired, showcase materials in person with our clients, and host events and gatherings for the local design community.
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HOW WE WORK
We are committed to quality and craftsmanship, working closely with trusted local New England makers, workrooms, contractors, architects, and trade partners to bring each of our projects to life. We take pride in overseeing every stage of production, often collaborating with several workshops on one design to ensure a result that is meant to be beautiful, well-used, and long lasting.
Custom Made in New England
- Cabinet Makers
- Metal Workers
- Stone Fabricators
- Painters & Wallpaper Hangers
- Furniture Makers
- Upholstery and Drapery Workrooms
- Artisans and Craftspeople
Meet the Team
Sarah Henley, Principal
Sarah Henley is the founder and principal designer at Henley. She grew up in New England and worked in the Bay Area before returning to the East Coast to establish her design studio on Boston’s North Shore. Sarah is driven by the excitement of the creative challenges that come with each new project and by the process of crafting a unique design vision tailored to the individual needs of every client. Her past work includes projects in Manhattan, San Francisco, Tahoe, Sonoma, and Tennessee.
Sarah deepened her connection to New England while attending Dartmouth College, where she studied Art History and Studio Art. She further honed her design sensibility while studying Interior Design at UC Berkeley’s Extension Program. She credits her grandmother, Judy, with passing on her love of art, design, and craft, and her mother, Penny, for sparking her creative, entrepreneurial spirit.
Abbey Durkin, Studio Director, Senior Designer
Abbey is responsible for sourcing and design development at Henley as Studio Director. Abbey also manages vendor relationships and the day-to-day of our Salem studio. Abbey brings a singular creativity and the ability to source unique and special products for each of our projects. Her easygoing personality and natural ability to anticipate clients’ needs are an essential element in delivering projects that feel creative and welcoming.
Prior to joining Henley, Abbey held a position at Restoration Hardware's corporate headquarters in California, where she oversaw the design of decor products across the company’s Baby & Child and Teen brands. She also operated her own jewelry design business from her houseboat in Sausalito. Abbey studied Jewelry Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Gemological Institute of America, and studied Interior Design at UC Berkeley's Extension Program.
Taylor Trew, Senior Designer
Taylor holds a BA in Art History and Visual Arts from Emory University, and a master’s degree in Interior Design from Suffolk University. Taylor’s professional experience includes design positions at Boston area interior design firms as well as working with clients of her own. Her strong technical background paired with her unparalleled enthusiasm for leading residential projects makes her an invaluable asset to our team.
Kara Solito, Associate Designer
Kara brings a strong design background, beginning with her education at the University of Rhode Island where she studied Textiles, Merchandising, Design, and Visual Arts, followed by a foreign study in Florence, and finally at New York School of Interior Design. She has held positions at Wayfair, Winston Flowers, and Decorist. Kara brings excellent communication and project management skills to her work at Henley, ensuring projects run smoothly across all vendor and trade partners.
Carly Alperin, Junior Designer
Carly assists with all aspects of our design projects, and helps keep the Salem studio running efficiently. Carly is a “yes” person and loves to tackle spreadsheets as much as she enjoys the world of interior design. She holds a Business degree from Franklin and Marshall College and is presently studying Interior Design at the Boston Architectural College. Carly’s corporate background at Wayfair gave her many project management and organizational skill sets that inform her work at Henley.
Katie Reid, Junior Design Coordinator
Katie brings an incredible work ethic and boundless energy to her projects at Henley. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and Environmental Studies from St. Lawrence University, and has experience assisting a Boston area interior designer. Katie is currently taking classes at RISD towards a certificate in interior design. Katie was exposed to the world of interior design from an early age through her family business, and the work comes naturally to her as a result.
Caitlin Parker, Procurement Lead
Caitlin brings a rare combination of operational rigor and design sensibility to her work at Henley. She has held roles at Marianne Simon Design, Housewright Gallery, and Ore Studios, giving her a thorough understanding of the vendor and trade landscape from multiple vantage points. She holds a Master Certificate in Interior Design from Heritage School of Interior Design and an MA in Art Business from Sotheby's Institute of Art.
Lindley Driscoll, Marketing Director, Design Assistant
Lindley first experienced Henley’s work as a client, and now brings this unique perspective to our team, where she leads marketing and brand initiatives while contributing to design projects. Her strategic background—including an MBA from Columbia Business School, a BA in Psychology from Dartmouth College, and integrated marketing experience at TED—complements her passion for design.
Lauren Smith, Operations Coordinator
Lauren brings extensive operations and marketing experience to her role at Henley, with a background spanning architecture and design firms including Carpenter & MacNeille Architects and Builders, Cummings Architects & Interiors, and Sabin Viehland Interior Design. She holds a BS in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University, and her combination of strategic and creative experience makes her a natural fit for the operational demands of a busy design firm.
