Recently our summer intern, Anoushka Parakh, tagged along with Chris for a photoshoot with our super entertaining interior design star Allison Handler. Anoushka used her time at the shoot to conduct a Small Business Journey Q&A with Allison. Allison shares her passion for her work and a little bit of her secret sauce.

TSG: What led you to pursue a career in interior design?

Allison: It started off as a passion project, and it just snowballed and transitioned into a business. I had previously worked in the fashion industry for twenty years, but I had come to realize that I needed a change, something more. Being a mom of two, you constantly have to wear different hats and it is definitely hard to balance everything. I needed a more flexible schedule and one of the biggest pluses of being your own boss is that you have that flexibility. I am able to wear the hat of a mom and a boss simultaneously. 

TSG: You have made some huge changes to your business just in the last year. How has Allison Handler Design grown in that time? Where do you see yourself and your business 5 years from now?

Allison: About a year ago, I took my business from out of my home and into a studio in Wyckoff. That absolutely changed my business. The leap that I have taken in the business in just the last year alone has been astronomical and I really do believe it is because I have that home base and place where I can create and have everything at my disposal. I no longer have to work in a little cramped room anymore or do design presentations in a construction site; I have a beautiful studio now that I can bring clients to that offers an elevated experience suiting the elevated luxury design that I provide. The Scout Guide Bergen County has been tremendously  instrumental in this journey as they have been with me since almost the beginning. They are fantastic partners and I truly love the relationship that we have cultivated. My business has grown along with theirs. 

TSG: What does a work day in your life look like?

Allison: Every day is always different. Some days, it is waking up at six o’clock in the morning and getting glammed for a photoshoot whereas other days it may be wearing gym sneakers and leggings, which I love getting from Hustle & Heart in Ridgewood, and getting dirty on a construction site. Sometimes it is even just going to the studio and putting earbuds in and creating all day or coordinating things with contractors and putting out fires. I never know what the day will bring when I wake up in the morning and it is definitely wild, but I love it.  

TSG: What is your “secret sauce?” In other words, what part of your job do you pride yourself on the most? 

Allison: My “secret sauce” is definitely the way I handle managing people and my clients and all of the relationships. Relationship building ultimately leads to smoother projects because you have established connections with people like the contractors or tile person. I have developed this shorthand where I can refer back to previous projects and my favorite contractors, suppliers, etc are accustomed to my style. I think that one of my strong suits is bringing in really amazing people to collaborate with because once you have the vision you need partners to bring it to life which is where strong networking comes into play.

TSG: How would you describe your design style in a few words? What do you think makes it unique?

Allison: I like to say that my design style is full of surprises and a little bit of the unexpected. In one of my favorite ongoing projects in Tenafly, one that is particularly special, the guest bathroom features a light fixture that is a little off centered, a perfect example of the surprise elements I aim to include in my projects. 

I am also hyper focused on micro details because it is true, details make the design. I think about every last little detail from the light switches to the charging ports to the door handles, they are all a part of the design and room. I focus on placement as well like the exact placement of the lights above an island. It’s one thing to be like ‘we are going to do this cabinet and this stone’ but I think what separates my business from the rest is the emphasis on every little last detail. 

TSG: Tell us about your favorite room to do in the house and why. 

Allison: I have always loved doing the kitchen, it’s the heart of the home. It is a really good example of everything that I love. From the natural stone countertops to wood cabinets to the mixed plaster and funky lights, it is a cumulation of so many different materials and styles that really just sets the tone for the rest of the home.

I also love doing powder rooms because you are able to have a little bit more fun there and go a little outside of the homeowners’ comfort zone. Primary suites are also high on my list. This is the space where you go to unwind at the end of the day so I really put a lot of time and heart into making it a beautiful and happy space of the homeowners. 

TSG: What is one color or element that you love using?

Allison: I love using greens. It is my favorite color, and I even have a strand of my hair dyed green. You will always find an element of green in my projects. I always try to mix different elements, colors, and textures in my project to make them unique and different. Other than that, I stay pretty neutral and use a lot of white tones and plaster. 

TSG: What is one phrase or motto that you live by?

Allison: Probably YOLO, just do what makes you happy. Buy the shoes, buy the bag. Put the green tile in your bathroom. Just do what makes you happy and live your life the way you want to. 

TSG: For current or upcoming homeowners looking to renovate or redesign their homes, what is one must-do piece of advice you would give to them?

Allison: It is super important to ensure that a designer is one of the first calls you make. Don’t wait to contact them because the designer and architect have to be working together on the plans. That ensures that every detail is in place like the light switches for example, you want to make sure they are in places that will fit the design and aesthetic look rather than the builder just putting it in a random spot. 

TSG: Lastly, tell us about some of your favs.

Allison: 

Meal: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Cocktail: Rosé 

Favorite Place you’ve Traveled to: Italy

Designer Go-To Girl for Shoes and Bags: Lusso By Lisa 

Favorite Bergen County Stores: Shop Fado, Ramsey & Suite 201, Ridgewood 

Favorite Bergen County Place to Eat: Park West Tavern, Ridgewood 

Allison Handler Design / @allisonhandlerdesign / 954-868-5898 / 364 Franklin Avenue, Wyckoff, New Jersey 07481