At AM.SHIELDS, we’re more than an interior design and architecture firm. We are your partners in creating spaces that resonate on a deeply personal level, capturing the elusive essence of beauty. Rooted in principles of elemental, organic, and elevated design, we specialize in crafting environments that seamlessly blend with the rich cultural fabric of our surroundings.
ALLISON SHIELDS
Founder & Principal Designer
Allison M. Shields is a designer and interior architect known for her eclectic and organic approach. Raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she was deeply influenced by the fusion of Pueblo and Spanish Colonial architecture. Her artistic sensibility was further shaped by her parents—a global hotelier and a Ford model turned luxury realtor—whose travels filled their home with a layered and storied collection of pieces.
In her twenties, she immersed herself in the aesthetics of Sicily and Florence, speaking Italian and embracing the beauty of Italian design. She later honed her craft in New York and Los Angeles, studying and working in the country’s leading art and design hubs for over a decade. She holds a Bachelor’s in Humanities and Art History with a Minor in Italian from Loyola Marymount University and a Master’s in Interior Architecture from UCLA.
In 2017, she founded AM.SHIELDS in Los Angeles, working with clients across California, New York, and Montana. In 2022, she returned to Santa Fe, continuing to bring her distinctive vision to residential and commercial projects. Her expertise spans new builds, renovations, custom furniture and lighting design, space planning, and project management. Her work is a balance of discipline and creativity—curated yet inviting, elegant yet livable, always striking and deeply beautiful.
MAYA SWISA-COCCIARDI
Strategy & Business Development
Maya is the anchor of our team, with deep roots in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She ventured beyond her hometown to explore cities like Los Angeles, New York, London, and Sydney in her twenties. Throughout her career, she excelled in strategy and business development, bringing strategic concepts to life for various companies.
Her journey into building and design began when she partnered with AM.SHIELDS to construct her own home in Santa Fe. Immersed in the local architecture and design scene, Maya struggled to find a partner who truly understood the essence of New Mexico’s heritage—until she met AM.SHIELDS. Collaborating closely with Allison, Maya realized her passion for transforming design concepts into reality.
LINDSAY BARE
Brand & Creative Direction
A progressive force for growth and transformation committed to co-creativity over hierarchy, Lindsay thrives on developing and amplifying brands across various channels, forging strategic partnerships, and shaping brand identities. With experience in corporate and start-up settings, Lindsay excels in communication, cultivating strong relationships with partners, clients, and team members alike. Passionate about the intersection of aesthetics and strategy, Lindsay is committed to shaping new perceptions of brand power. Most importantly, she lives by the ethos – if you see beauty, you will experience love.