Sam Allen is an interior designer and principal designer at Connecticut design firm Sam Allen Interiors. Sam grew up with a designer mother, so discovered his passion for design from an early age. His style is clean and comfortable and led to him being named “Next Wave Designer” by House Beautiful in 2013. His projects have been featured in a number of prestigious publications, including The New York Times and Vogue. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Sam Allen.
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
I would have to say my style is clean and comfortable and encompasses themes all the way from Organic Elegance to Parisian Hollywood Glamour.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
I start out meeting with the client, assessing the space, listening to the client, and the room. Fabric could be a starting point. There’s lots of inspiration from a fabric sample. It can be the pattern, the color, the texture of the fabric, or it could have all of those three components in it. It really leads to the wall color and the furniture.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
Martha Stewart. She started her business empire right in her very own kitchen. She turned it into a billion dollar brand over the course of her career. She has an amazing work ethic and drive. She’s gone through some difficult times and learned from her experiences but has never lost her optimism.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
Travel…travel…and more travel! Hey, somebody has to do it! I’ve really been inspired lately by all the colors and textiles of Marrakech and Istanbul.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
Confidence is key, and just because you’re a certain age doesn’t mean you can’t start pursuing whatever your passion is. Don’t take no for an answer and don’t be too particular with your first design jobs, get experience where you can. Believe in yourself or no one else will.
