Arden Waggoner Stephenson

Design is in Arden’s genes and her interest in all things design was fostered at a very early age.  A native of Texas, Arden grew up in a home filled with art and antiques.  Her parents were avid collectors of both, and every piece acquired had a story behind it. Creativity came naturally as her parents always promoted the arts of any kind for Arden and her three siblings. 

Arden earned her Bachelors degree in Interior Architecture from The University of Oklahoma and earned a Masters degree from Parsons School of Design in the History of Decorative Arts.  She studied extensively in France, England and Italy, and has been strongly influenced by her travels and studies, as well as her Texas and southwestern roots.  

With an extensive background in both residential and commercial interiors, Arden has been creating high-end residential, speciality boutique designs, corporate and retail designs nationwide. Her career began in Atlanta, where she worked in commercial and retail design prior to relocating to New York City in 1991.  After earning her graduate degree, Arden joined the Cullman  & Kravis, Inc. team as a Senior Design Associate until launching her own firm in 2001.

As an integral part of the New York City design community for over 24 years, her work encompasses the entirety of a project from the initial walk-thru of a site, to architectural  drawings, lighting, electrical and furniture layouts, construction supervision, schematic designs developments, specifications and the completed installation.  Arden’s designs are a true reflection of her personality: bold, vibrant, happy and unexpected.

From her earliest days in deign school, Arden discovered her passion for the history of all things design. That quest for knowledge and desire to share it with burgeoning interior design students led to the natural addition of Professor to her resume. Arden is currently an Adjunct Professor of Interior Design in both the College of Fine Arts Design Department at Texas Christian University and the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs of University of Texas at Arlington.

Arden’s work has been included in Traditional Home, AVENUE Magazine, Detroit Home, The Wall Street Journal, Elle Decor, Southampton Press, Daily News, Architectural Digest and numerous online sources.