Henhouse is passionate about thoughtful design and craftsmanship.
Serving Atlantic Canada for over 20 years, we believe in working collaboratively with our clients, contractors, and trades to achieve results that exceed expectations.
Our Services
Design Development
• architectural plan review
• renovation & permit plans
• kitchen & bath design
• millwork & cabinetry drawings and elevations
• lighting, electrical and switching plans
• plumbing & appliance plans
• tile design & layouts
• finish and fitting specifications
• visual concepts, mood boards & finished sketches
Design Execution
• obtaining quotes & developing budgets
• purchasing & managing goods
• project facilitation and follow-ups
• coordinating with contractor & trades
• site checks & troubleshooting
Decorating & Styling
• furniture plans & budgets
• colour schemes for rooms or whole homes
• custom furniture design
• sourcing, purchasing furniture, art & accessories
• art installation
• window treatments
• final styling to achieve a polished space
Our Team
Sappho Griffin
Principal Designer, Founder & Owner
Sappho launched Henhouse in 2001 as a retail storefront in the quaint Hydrostone Market area of Halifax, where she showcased her own furniture designs alongside curated vintage finds. As Henhouse grew to a treasured local source and one-stop shop for unique pieces, Sappho began creating built-ins and custom kitchens for clients. In 2013, she closed the chapter on her retail career and began Henhouse Interiors as a full-service design business, offering a complete vision from renovation plans to the final, finished product. Today, she works on mid- to full-sized home renovations, and new builds and decorating projects for the whole home.
With a background in Fine Art, and a lifelong love of colour, textiles, antiques, and natural materials, Sappho is known for creating thoughtful, classic, and layered spaces. Her fully integrated approach allows her to see the “big picture” and work closely with clients to make their dreams a reality.
Christine Buiteman
Designer, Project Coordinator
Christine is an innovative and resourceful team member with more than 15 years’ experience planning and executing projects and events in the creative industries. She began working with Henhouse in 2017, and has been collaborating on the company’s growing portfolio since then.
Her training and love of timeless design combine in an ability to create warm, inviting spaces. She shares Henhouse’s passion for authenticity in design, often incorporating antique and found items into her plans. Christine holds a Bachelor of Arts and is a past board member of the Interior Decorators Association of Nova Scotia.
Erika Higgins
Design Assistant & Operations Manager
Since joining the Henhouse team in early 2023, Erika’s passion for design, extensive experience in administration and operations management, eye for detail, and finesse with customer service have made her a perfect fit.
In fact, it wasn’t until she saw the job posting that she realized her “Ideal Kitchen” image on Pinterest belonged to Henhouse founder, Sappho Griffin. “I’m so thrilled to be part of this dynamic, female-led organization,” she says.
Beth Hitchcock
Senior Decorator & Stylist
Beth is a 25-year veteran of the publishing industry, most recently as Editor-in-Chief of Canadian House & Home magazine. She frequently contributes design articles to national newspapers and magazines, and was the co-creator of the bestselling design book series, Collected by Sarah Richardson (Simon & Schuster Canada).
As Henhouse’s Senior Decorator & Stylist since 2022, Beth loves nothing more than sourcing the perfect rug, light fixture, or piece of art to elevate a space and make the mix feel both comfortable and current. She’s especially passionate about picking paint colours, and the transformative power of textiles and wallpaper.
Matthew Dick, M. Arch
Architectural Designer
Matthew is an architectural home designer based in Halifax Nova Scotia, and holds a Masters of Architecture from the School of Architecture at DalTech. He has 20+ years’ experience in residential construction, working with architects, interior designers, and contractors.
Matthew has worked with Sappho and her team for seven years on everything from new home builds to additions and renovations. His experience is rooted in traditional methods as interpreted for contemporary architecture.