“My grandparents fled Ukraine during WWII, and my grandfather became a developer in Connecticut. Their story of building not just a new home for the family, but whole communities, shaped my understanding of the security a home provides, and just as importantly the creative expression that goes into it.”

Larysa Sendich launched NESTA Studio in 2016, after several years of being mentored by New York design icon Carol Egan. She jokes now that while she very much felt as though she hardly slept during her time working with Egan, having gone solo, she truly understands what it’s like to relinquish the recommended amount of nightly Zzzz’s. 

What keeps her up at night is the relentless dedication to convert chemistry into design alchemy, the process by which she turns her clients dreams into often breathtaking reality. Having achieved success and acclaim on her own, she has inevitably arrived at the point where only when she feels there is a shared vision does she take on a new project, “And then we become very close, the relationship transcends business and becomes exhilaratingly personal.”

Based in Brooklyn, her portfolio is proudly NY-centric -- though her inspiration comes from an intriguing range of sources. Rejecting the pursuit of “perfection” in favor of the unexpected, she cites the disparate influences of French mid-century, Nordic/Scandi design principles, art & photography, natural/unconventional beauty, Italy and Latin America in general, as well as - in a more spiritual/ethereal sense - the vast oceans, majestic deserts and boundless open spaces, and even hot yoga, which she explicates as “the luxury of self-care” - a goal similar to the feeling of spending time in a newly redesigned room or home. 

 The recent completion of a 10,000 square foot home in South Florida turned out to be something of a catalyst for the designer, and “ended up being one of the most life changing experiences…”, where she poignantly learned to let go of the freneticism of expectations that New York City tends to impose on its denizens. It motivated a desire for her and NESTA Studio to cast a wider geographical net going forward. And considering the degree to which she emphasizes the importance of “light, sun and ocean” to both her personal well-being and her creative vitality, it’s surely a natural progression for her to seek projects in destinations with just such qualities. 

 “I love the way the ocean air feels on my skin,” she candidly enthuses. 

 Of course she remains very much dedicated to a client-driven philosophy, leaving her ego at the door and striving to understand their needs, in order to conjure environments that distinctly represent the people who will be living in them. 

 “I am a firm believer that design enhances quality of life; and ultimately that is the ‘gift’ I wish to give to each client.”

What’s next for the NESTA and its creatively restless/spirited founder? 

“I started working with clay during the pandemic, and found the medium to be very healing for my type-A brain. I learned to accept and love that I cannot ultimately control the outcome of my ceramic works. I am now developing a ceramic lighting line, and though I am not entirely sure what direction it will take…new ideas keep flooding in and the process continues to inspire!”

 She can also say with some sureness that 2026 will bring its official launch, along with a line of custom furniture she has been prototyping, all under the banner of NESTA MADE. 

 As in everything Larysa does, the underlying philosophy of her approach will remain constant, even as she evolves with new experiences. 

 “I think I have a way of seeing people, of glimpsing behind the facade to get to their essence…and I design spaces for those inside parts of my clients. I believe that as much as a designer, I am performing a kind of therapy, bringing the sort of elation and well-being to people’s lives that great design is so uniquely capable of.”