Our Senior Interior Designers
“The whole team showed such diligence in following up with us on all phases of our projects, even when we did smaller updates on our current home. For them, no client is overlooked and no project is too small or too big. Everyone works together learning about the clients as individuals, how they live and function in the space so that their home grows with them as a family.”
Shannon Mathias, Senior Interior Designer Allied ASID
Shannon graduated Magna Cum Laud from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design in 2011.
Shannon came to Collaborative Design Group in 2011 as an intern, and soon after became an integral part of our team.
Shannon has had a passion for interior design from a young age, designing for her neighbors and friends, and even started her own greeting card company. Shannon pursued her dream of a degree in Interior Design later in life. Her strengths include an attention to detail, persistence in research and she is deadline oriented. Shannon excels in space planning and her ability to communicate her ideas to clients.
Collaborative Design Group relies on Shannon’s calming nature to keep the office less stressful. She is currently pursuing her license to become a registered Interior Designer.
A native Houstonian, Shannon enjoys art history, traveling with her two boys, scrap booking and volunteering with her church’s youth group.
“A room should start a conversation before people actually start exchanging words.”
– Barry Dixon, interior designer
Cessie de al Torre, Senior Interior Designer
Growing up with an Aunt in the real estate industry, Cessie started young by being her Aunt's "sidekick" while her Aunt showed houses to potential home buyers. As Cessie got older, she began taking special notice of the varying styles of architecture and design in the houses she was seeing. This led Cessie to pursue a degree in interior design at Texas State University where she graduated from in 2012.
After graduating, Cessie went on to work for an acclaimed home builder where she grew her knowledge of new home construction and material selections. She then pursued her passion further by joining an award winning interior design firm where she was able hone her skills by working directly with clients to achieve their dream spaces.
Cessie's innate ability to make her clients feel comfortable and truly listen to their wants and needs allows for a collaborative effort with client satisfaction being the top priority.
When Cessie is not creating beautiful homes, she enjoys painting, watching movies, running and being Houston's number one Rockets fan!
“…a house is much more than a mere shelter, it should lift us emotionally and spiritually.”
-Interior designer John Saladino
Robina Shepherd, Senior Interior Designer Allied ASID
Robina graduated from Howard University in May 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a minor in interior design. She’s been in the design industry for over ten years. Her previous work experience includes junior architect for a residential design firm, store designer and accessories buyer for a local furniture retailer as well as senior designer for a Houston based hospitality interior design firm.
Robina’s design career began with a residential design build firm in the DC Metro Area where her love for residential design grew into a true passion. In an effort to further her career Robina later took on the role of job captain for a high-end residential custom architecture and interior design firm in the San Francisco Bay Area. The time spent in both of these positions helped her to hone her skills in residential construction, permitting, as well as architectural and interior finish selections.
Robina prides herself with being a great listener and with having the ability to use that skill to help her clients build the home of their dreams. She is an active member of ASID and is currently working to become a registered interior designer with the state of Texas.
Robina loves all forms of history, but especially when it relates to architecture. This passion comes from growing up in Boston, a city full of American history and beautiful residential design. Outside of work Robina enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, entertaining friends and family, and watching documentaries on almost any subject.
“The most important thing is that you love what you are doing, and the second that you are not afraid of where your next idea will lead.” ― Charles Eames