Meet the Team
Sophia Brush Warren - Chief Operating Officer & Creative Director
Sophia grew up on Martha’s Vineyard and after graduating from the local high school, she then went on to get a degree in Women’s Studies with a minor in Art from Wheaton College in Norton, MA. Sophia started her career working in retail in a small women’s boutique in Menemsha during the summers and in the winters she lived in Thailand, importing clothing. In her mid-twenties Sophia decided to move off island to Boston where she stepped in the world of corporate retail. From there she moved to Los Angeles. Prior to moving back to help her brother run the company, she ran omnichannel and store operations for a luxury denim company, overseeing 150+ stores.
Michael Courtney - General Manager
Michael was born on island. He started working at Vineyard Decorators his senior year in high school spending his summers working as a driver on our delivery team. After graduating Merrimack College with a degree in Business Administration. Michael stepped into the operations side of the business. From helping run software implementations to managing the logistics of deliveries to Cape Cod & Nantucket, Michael has it all covered.
Natasha Sullivan - Showroom, Window Treatment & Workroom Manager
Erin Gosson - Showroom, Window Treatment & Workroom Treatment Assistant Manager
Bio Coming Soon
Paulina Capen- Manager of Interiors & Marketing
Paulina moved to Martha’s Vineyard in 2016 after excepting a marketing position at a high-end residential design firm on island. Working for a small company, she soon became an integral part of the design team and decided to pursue a career in interiors. With experience working for several prominent firms, Paulina has been immersed in rich design environments, learning and applying real world practice in the field. These experiences have prepared her for her role here at Vineyard Decorators Interior Design Studio. Paulina graduated from Roger Williams University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Marketing. In 2020 Paulina completed her certification with New York Institute of Art & Design in Interior Design.
Nina Hitchen - Interior Designer
Nina grew up in Boston and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Brown University and a Certificate in Interior Design from the Rhode Island School of Design. After marrying an Australian surfboard-shaper turned home-builder, she spent 10 years working in construction alongside him, as a working partner in the design-build business they built together on Martha’s Vineyard. A childhood spent steeped in historic New England architecture instilled in her a deep appreciation for old houses and the stories they tell, and later, frequent travels to Australia introduced her to modern design concepts and a wide array of innovative building materials. She has a passion for beautiful things, well-planned spaces and intentionalism in design. Nina’s practical knowledge of building and experience in design allows her to take on projects of all scope. In her private life she is a dedicated environmentalist, who strives to live “Zero Waste” and plastic-free. She lends her eco-sensibilities to projects, to help create homes that are not only space-efficient and beautiful, but sustainable and healthy for its inhabitants. Nina lives in Oak Bluffs with her husband, Peter, and twins Dylan & Ondine.
Julianna Thiel - Interior Designer
Julianna grew up north of Boston and spent her summers in Chatham teaching sailing. She attended High Point University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Interior Design. After graduating Julianna worked at a high end residential architecture firm in Boston. Her love for the ocean and design lead her to Martha’s Vineyard where she resides with her dog & cat.
Samantha Cavallaro - Interior Designer
Samantha grew up in New Jersey where She attended Kean University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Interior Design. After graduating she worked in a high an residential design firm in New Jersey. She also was a part-time adjunct professor at her local college teaching AutoCAD courses. Looking for a change she relocated to Martha's Vineyard with her dog, Coop.
Ashley Heino - Interior Designer
Ashley grew up in New Hampshire, but with cousins and aunts/uncles on the island spent time here growing up. She recently graduated Bay Path University with a degree in Interior Design and Business Development. Prior to joining the team at Vineyard Decorators she worked at art gallery and high end residential interior design studio.
Fatima Ronquillo - Interior Design Consultant
Bio coming soon
Alaina Livecchi - Interior Design Consultant
Bio coming soon
Lila Sullivan - Design Consultant
Lila grew up in Edgartown where her love of the ocean and the vineyard grew. She attended Keene State College earning bachelor’s degrees in Business Management and Communications. After college Lila moved to Burlington VT, where she worked at the University of Vermont Larner College of medicine in Medical Communications. There she enjoyed working with tight knit community and realized how much she missed being on MV. Lila recently earned her Master’s degree in Public Health that she began right as the Pandemic started. Lila is currently enrolled in New York Institute of Art & Design Interior Design Course.
John Parker - Master Custom Upholstery Craftsman
John Parker moved to Martha’s Vineyard in 1973 from Falmouth, MA, with a hard work ethic, ready to fill a niche in Island business. As a seasoned upholstery Master Craftsman already, John realized the Island was lacking a business that could provide custom upholstery and slipcovers for Island residents. Vineyard Decorators started in 1978 in the same spot it still stands - in an old barracks building across from the airport. As John’s business and the demand for custom upholstery on Island continued to grow, so did the demand for furniture. In 1986, John jumped from the custom upholstery business to retail furniture business. Along the way, John has had the pleasure of working with good people, who have shaped the business and helped it to grow into what it is today. After selling the business to Whitney Brush, John was able to refocus his attention on the custom upholstery aspect of Vineyard Decorators. He’s still working and enjoying doing so, and today you can find John in our custom upholstery workroom where he continues to service the Island’s custom needs.
James Meyst - Master Custom Window Technician
James has been a fixture at Vineyard Decorators for more than 30 years. He heads the Custom Design section of the company. Whether it's one window shade or a complete home layout, James will ensure each project is completed at a high standard and to the customers satisfaction.
Cecily Stibitz- Custom Window Technician
Cecily comes to Vineyard Decorators with a background in art and design. Her eye for detail and a high standard of craftsmanship lend themselves well to the multi-faceted department of window treatments and each unique project in the custom workroom. Cecily loves the hands-on aspect of custom window treatment installation and how each project is like a puzzle waiting to be solved. After many years managing and working her own custom floorcloth business, Cecily relishes her role as part of the vibrant team at Vineyard Decorators.
Danielle Zerbonne - Operations Manager
A Massachusetts native with a background in journalism and photography, Danielle’s passion for nature and travel influences her evolving design aesthetic. Before being drawn to her true home on Martha’s Vineyard, Danielle did wedding photography in Cambridge, gave nature tours in Alaska, and sold wine in Oregon. Then, after over a decade on staff at the MV Times, Danielle took the plunge into a new career at Vineyard Decorators. She's enthusiastic about exploring the creative aspects of interior design and helping homeowners create their own personalized space where they can live their best Island life.
Gail Moffit - Bookkeeper
Bio coming soon
Alex Gordon Beck - Freight & Warehouse Manager
Alex is a native islander who grew up in Chilmark, attending the Oak Bluffs school and then Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. After high school Alex went on to play soccer at Dean college and then transferred to play division 1 soccer at the University of Vermont. Spending his summers working at Vineyard Decorators as a seasonal delivery person. After College he remained in Burlington, Vermont for 2 years working Priority Express delivering to Northern New England. Alex recently returned to Martha’s Vineyard and joined our year-round warehouse/delivery team.
Julian Willet-Beck - Transfer Manager
Previously a member of Barnes trucking Julian has been a wonderful addition to our warehouse team. Julian spends most of his days driving our larger Peterbilt truck on and off the island to our Wareham warehouse.
Matt Morris - Warehouse Assistant Manager
Bio coming soon