6 THINGS WITH JEN SAMSON
6 Things with Jen Samson Founder of Jen Samson Design
Jen Samson, the visionary founder of Jen Samson Design, is an interior designer renowned for her dedication to crafting unique and inspired spaces. With a core belief that each client's home or business has its own distinct narrative to share, she approaches every project with a commitment to individuality. Drawing inspiration from her extensive world travels, diverse cultures, and the intersection of fashion and timeless interiors, Jen infuses each endeavor with a carefully curated creative flair, leaving an enduring mark on every space she designs.
1. What started it all for you?
From a very young age, I loved everything about both fashion and interiors. I would get lost in dressing up in my grandmother's closet. Both her home and closet were major sources of early design inspiration. I was drawn to her many collections of fine china, luxe patterned fabrics and upholstery and the pieces she collected from travel. I was obsessed with her jewelry, which I wear almost daily and many items from her closet still live in my wardrobe. Many years later, while working with E!, Style Network, I attended my first Salone del Mobile in Italy and Highpoint in North Carolina to shoot for various Style network TV shows. Those visits deepened my passion to learn everything I could about design - the history, architecture and the future of design.
It wasn’t until I moved out of Los Angeles and down to Orange County that I decided to take the leap into interiors. I remember reading a posting from a woman on the local parent group network in Laguna Beach, and, feeling brave, I decided to respond. It all took off from there.
2. What drives your creative spark?
I love the hunt! Sourcing and discovering interesting pieces to put into my projects is definitely what drives me and feeds my creativity. Both near and far travel is a major contributor to that. I have found endless amounts of inspiration through wandering streets in foreign cities, buying art and objects at flea markets and antique shops, taking pictures of the architecture, sitting at a cafe and watching the people go by - all of it.
I am motivated by the unique. I rarely, if ever, repeat from project to project. I love that we don't have a specific look at JSD. I choose our projects based on their creative potential. That is what fuels me - being able to really spread my wings creatively and create homes that are alive with story, texture and intrigue.
3. Most treasured home decor item?
That's a tough one. I think I would say it has to be the first piece of art I bought for my apartment in LA in my early 20’s. I went to an art opening in NY while I was there covering New York Fashion Week and fell in love with a very large piece of work by friend of friend, artist Elissa Levy. The piece, called Soldier Doily, is an incredible, very large laser cut felt work that has a snowflake like pattern to it, abstract and repeating. I took the leap and bought the piece, I shipped it back to LA, (it is made of felt so it was just folded up and mailed) and then had it framed inside an even larger acrylic box frame, and hung it in my tiny LA apartment. It took up nearly the entire wall of my then kitchen! It now hangs prominently in my dining room. It is a forever piece for sure.
4. What’s the best advice you've ever received?
"Don’t be like the rest of them, darling.” Not exactly advice, but certainly words to live by. I have two teenage daughters, and as their mom and role model, I wholeheartedly celebrate and encourage their individuality. The same philosophy rings true for my creative journey. In a sea of Instagram copycats and redundant design themes, I tend to lean in even further into the philosophy that my work should always stand alone as something unique and interesting. Interior Design is individual to our clients and their lifestyles. Reminding and pushing clients out of their comfort zone and, in turn, often pushing me creatively, is truly what I love about design.
5. It's 5 o'clock at home. What would you be pouring?
Depends on the day I’ve had. A noisy day when I need some quiet - Moroccan mint tea. When it’s been “one-of-those-days” a good Reposado tequila poured over a single large ice cube. A regular day when I am finally sitting down to catch up with my family, a glass of french red burgundy or sancerre.
6. What are your 6 favorite accounts that you follow for inspiration?
@houseofhoney
@indiamahdavi
@communedesign
@pierre.yovanovitch
@kellywearstler
@est_living
"I am motivated by the unique. I rarely, if ever, repeat from project to project. I love that we don't have a specific look at JSD. I choose our projects based on their creative potential. That is what fuels me - being able to really spread my wings creatively and create homes that are alive with story, texture and intrigue." -Jen Samson
