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Categories
Interior Design
Services & Specialties
Youthful, glamorous, appealing design
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RECOMMENDATION
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WORK QUALITY
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COST EVALUATION
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VALUE ANALYSIS
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ADD YOUR REVIEW
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FR Review:
Sam Allen has a gift for blending elements of the past into a finished design that is fresh, hip and full of life. A Fairfield native, he has an intuitive knack for adding a touch of glam to traditional homes while maintaining decorum, much to the delight of a devoted clientele. Playful Scalamandre wallpaper sets the backdrop for an elegant arrangement of Holland & Sherry fabrics, while pops of bright orange (an Allen signature) catch the eye. A student of the history of design, Allen will glance backwards for inspiration, but the look is never stuffy–rather, classic design (think Billy Baldwin, or Golden Age Hollywood) serves as a spark for his lively imagination.
A design prodigy, Allen grew up in Weston, CT and began working in a local antique shop at age nine. Quickly getting a feel for Fairfield county and its clientele, Allen started traveling to France on shopping trips and had his first project published at age seventeen, eventually opening his own firm in 2011 (The New York Times referred to him as “Sam Allen, Teenage Decorator”). Still a young designer today, he has the portfolio and press accolades of a professional ten years older.
Operating a small shop out of Westport, Allen tackles four to six projects at a time, some in Connecticut, some in the city, some in Martha’s Vineyard, others as far afield as Dallas. Clients say he is “honest, straightforward, very fun to work with, and he really takes into account what you want.” Allen charges a standard hourly fee during initial stages, then a standard markup on product once choices are made. For transparency’s sake, all charges are made directly through the client. Allen prefers to start on a minimum of three large rooms, but can be flexible for the right client. All we spoke to affirmed that this rising star is “the real deal.”
Representative Client Comments:
“I started saving clippings from my favorite magazines of houses I liked. After a while I realized they were all Sam’s projects.” “He has amazing taste, and I love his style, but he really listened us.” “Sam designed our second home in Westport, top to bottom. Throughout the entire project I felt like I was his only client, he was so dedicated.” “He created a hangout spot for my teenage daughters—they love it.” “In each phase of the project we would go over the numbers again, Sam would always give us options, and we always had a clear sense of the budget.” “I wanted something more modern, but he was able to soften it to make it work for my more traditional house.” “I loved the contractors he brought on to the project.” “I liked that he was younger, he had really fresh ideas and was so much fun.” “I hope I get to work with him again!”
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