Leading Ladies

A woman with long blonde hair, smiling, wearing a leopard print top, standing in a modern living room with abstract artwork and plants in the background.

Whitney Schones

Founder

It was clear from a young age that Whitney loved beautiful things—parties, florals, tablescapes and fashion. Her love for interior design started in her teens when she would help her grandmother decorate her home for the holidays. Armed with a sewing machine and the only fabric that she could afford, she created her own pillows and drapes and never turned away from her love of textiles.

With 20 years of experience in the industry, Whitney is a trendsetter when it comes to interiors and home decor. Her style is playful and cutting edge, while still coming across as timeless and classic. Her knowledge and experience is rooted in understanding what makes others tick and integrating nuanced details into a design that make them feel confident, comfortable and at ease.

A smiling woman with blonde hair wearing a light blue blouse sitting on a green-patterned chair in a room with colorful abstract art and decorations.

Christi Pepper

CEO

Having developed an eclectic design style during a childhood that included stints in Hawaii, Southern/Northern California and Colorado, Christi started her career by studying Architecture at UC Berkeley. She gained years of experience in the commercial sector from corporate campus design to chain restaurant interiors to airport renovations before realizing her true passion in residential design and interiors.

Now with 15 years solely focused on interior design with a speciality in the procurement of custom furniture & lighting sourced from all over the world, Christi understands the complexities of budget, time frames, the importance of listening to the client, teamwork and communication. 

Christi has known Whitney for 10 years, with the last 7 having been working directly with Whitney in large scale furnishing procurement. This successful relationship led to the natural evolution of a business partnership last year. Whitney and Christi are beyond excited to have launched a unique boutique showroom adjacent to the studio in Alamo Heights allowing them to showcase the combined efforts of their talents and vision to the community of San Antonio. Visit Estate now!

The Team

A young woman with long blonde hair, fair skin, wearing a black blouse with white polka dots and cream-colored skirt, standing outdoors in front of green plants.

Payton Schiel

Interior Designer and Lead Project Manager

Having recently earned her degree in Construction Sciences and Management, Payton has been on our design team since 2017. Her precision and attention to detail allows her to excel at creating detailed project renderings, drawing up design plans, taking extensive measurements and conducting site visits. Payton can often be found on site where her natural knack for construction ensures that materials are accurate and work is being done according to our precise design plan. 

A woman with long dark hair smiling, sitting in a light-colored armchair in front of a decorated table with party favors and a green backdrop with white flowers.

Riley McMahon

Jr. Sales & Design Assistant

With two years of experience in luxury sales, four months in design firms, and a degree from Texas A&M University, Riley brings a refined eye and enthusiastic energy to the Estate team. As our Sales & Design Assistant, she plays a key role in guiding clients through the custom furniture process—from the first showroom visit to the final install. Riley is passionate about creating beautiful, thoughtful spaces, with a special love for antiques, art, and design details. Her organizational skills, creative mindset, and warm personality make her an essential part of every project at Estate.