Sam Szabla has transformed his passion for crafting custom spaces for luxury hotels, restaurants, and private homes into a career.

Designer and décor retailer Sam Szabla sells custom-made furniture and home products from around the world to Hawaii residents and tourists through his business Hawaiian House Inc. Sam Szabla used his personal savings to open Hawaiian House Inc. in 1996, and within a few years, he expanded the company to five stores on three islands. Selling a custom inventory of furniture, home accessories, soaps, bedding, and candles, Sam Szabla increased annual sales for the Hawaiian furniture market by $4 million. Sam Szabla also earned the InterDesign award in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2002 for his exclusive designs and Hawaiian House commissioned pieces.

The Hawaiian House brand was acquired by Delano and Seymour Inc. in 2002, and Sam Szabla became the company’s principal designer and buyer. Sam Szabla traveled to factories in China and India, designing textiles and accessories for Delano and Seymour’s custom home goods lines. Sam Szabla’s efforts resulted in the Delano Slip Cover Sofa Collection, the Seymour China Collection, the Hawaiian House Royal Collection, and the Hawaiian House Soap by the Slice Loafs. With 88 percent of his products sold within 60 days, Sam Szabla won 2002’s Man of Design Award Hawaii and The Paris American Design Award in 2004.

Sam Szabla then transitioned to hospitality design as the CEO, General Manager, and Hotel Designer of South Beach Plaza Hotels and Villas. Keeping in the hotels’ Art Deco aesthetic, Sam Szabla modernized and fitted his designs for today’s tastes. Sam Szabla’s work also included several bars, restaurants, and cafes that were part of the hotels. While designing these rooms, lobbies, and other spaces, Sam Szabla played an instrumental role in opening fine eateries by choosing logos, menus, lighting, and furniture.

Today, Sam Szabla builds on his near 15-year career in home design and interior decorating as the In House Designer of Hibiscus Island Home, LLC. Creating looks for the hospitality market, Sam Szabla brings in his private label bedding and textiles from the brands Treasured Thread and Island 29. Sam Szabla also keeps up with the latest trends, often traveling the world for inspiration. The La Domade College of Design-educated Sam Szabla recently earned the Kauai Best in New Home Design Ideas honor.