Victims seek legal help after paying famed interior designer thousands of dollars for unfinished work.

HOUSTON A business owner shares her story of how she paid a celebrity interior designer over $100,000 to remodel and renovate her salon, but says the company never completed the job.

“I’m angry, I’m upset. We thought we trusted someone. We are small business owners and we just felt cheated. We have been robbed and we have been scammed,” Maury Dent said.

Shakena Dent owns K One on Westheimer Road and says it all started back in June. She says Crystal clear design told her that everything would be ready by November, but the designer moved the opening date to December and then to January.

Dent says the company should be fair and pay her back. Other victims also speak out and share their stories.

“They left the place in a mess,” Shakena said.

Shakena and her husband Mori paid Crystal clear design about $120,000 to renovate her salon.

“They demonstrated, erected walls on the left side of the salon, that’s all,” Mori said.

The couple grew tired of the owner’s excuses and fired Christal Clear Designs in January. They have rehired another contractor and have already paid over $70,000 to remodel the cabin.

“They did more in one month than this company Christal Clear Designs did in seven months,” Shakena said.

Lakish Alomaia’s lawyer says the owners of Christal Clear Designs have her locked down and says the mess is putting Shakena in a difficult position.

“The cabin is a mess. Now this will open us to accountability. Someone can enter and get hurt. We now have insurance claims that are on the line,” she said.

Reschel Turner of KPRC stopped by the Christal Clear Designs showroom on Old Katy Road to get some answers.

The doors were locked, and a notice was hung on the door stating that the rent had not been paid.

According to the Secretary of State, Christal Clear Designs was forcibly dissolved in January 2022. The state no longer considers their existence.

Lucresia Jackson is also another irate customer. Last year, she paid the company $5,000 for a home decor consultation.

“However, I never got a consultation to even meet with her to find out what I really needed. It was just a text message,” Jackson said.

Jasmine Sarpi says she has always been inspired by the work of Christal Clear Designs and paid her $330,000 in royalties and refurbishment of two houses.

“This is my first home and it’s very stressful,” Sarpi said.

Jasmine says the contractors were showing off her second home, and after a week there were only two contracts, and work was slow.

“I myself spoke with the contractor. I said, “What’s going on? Why is nobody here? He’s like, “We’re not getting paid,” Sarpi said.

Ebony Walker paid $85,000 and says the company destroyed her home. She hired Christal Clear in March last year and says the renovation was due in June.

“I’m coming home now with dust and cement floors and stuff like that and no furniture. It’s very destructive,” she said.

The Better Business Bureau says it’s important to have a reliable and trusted contractor when hiring.

• Explore and collect information

• Ask for recommendations

• Request multiple quotes

• Get it in writing

• Verify license and insurance

• Agree on a payment schedule

• Get a receipt

• Keep your contract

For more tips from the BBB click Here.

“I feel insulted because I trusted her with my money and believed her word of mouth and the law that she actually has and adheres to,” Jackson said.

“Be careful who you give your money to. As we move forward, we only pay for the services that are provided,” Dent said.

KPRC 2 turned to Crystal clear designs by phone, text and email and are still waiting for a response.