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Interview: Samantha Lopez, Green Velvet NY

by Vicky Lewis | May 15, 2024

“Redefining Luxury:

So with all that said, what does Samantha see as the core concepts and elements that define luxury design?

"I love to say that I grew up in the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City because my family enjoyed spending time there, and it was so crazy - one of my favourite spaces in this hotel was an animal­ themed room, where the bar was encrusted with lion heads and the headboards covered in zebra patterns! In the 80s and early 90s, hospitality was obsessed with finding a theme and absolutely executing it, which I find so amusing. I kind of love it! Everything always finds its way back, so who knows, maybe in 20 years, we'll see that again!

"But for now, it's muted colours and designs that are really experience-centric. One of the things I'm finding is, as a product of Covid, We've all changed a little bit. Whether or not we want to admit it, and the way that reflects in hospitality is that we want to feel especially comfortable. We got really used to being at home, so whatever we have going on it all needs to feel upholstered and plush, and it should tie back to feeling somewhat residential. I'm seeing that spill over a lot into hospitality, for example in lobbies, reception desks are much more residential - it's not the big bulky hotel reception desk anymore. There are little details in the lounge areas and restrooms, even - it's very subtle, but I do see it. It's a distinct contrast to the 80s - if you looked at a corner of a hotel lobby in the 80s or 90s, you'd know exactly where you were, but if you took a snapshot of a corner of a hotel lobby today, it could be someone's home."“


“ […] The firm’s newly opened Midtown office — a 1,300-square-foot space at 145 West 57th Street — serves as both a casual workspace for employees and a “whisky vault” where Braeburn can host tastings for investors. The design is somewhat Midcentury Modern, but with Scottish touches, including blue and green tartan wallpaper and vintage Scottish art on the walls. The moldings and parts of the walls were painted red, along with the doors to the tasting room/office.

The ceiling — which had once been ugly acoustic tiles — was replaced with gold mesh tiles, and then the borders were painted red. There are plenty of dark leather accent chairs, in keeping with the men’s club/speakeasy vibe, as well as unique wall sconces and a chandelier hung with brass chains. 

The entry and reception area features floor-to-ceiling glass doors with brass handles, and red curtains have been hung on the other side to add a bit of mystery. Written on the doors, in small gold script, is something like the company’s motto: “an investment you can experience.” The space is across the street from Carnegie Hall, and the wallpaper in the reception area is in fact a print that came from Carnegie Hall’s museum, featuring a mustachioed man crying over his last bottle of whisky. 

The reception has a pair of dark leather vintage Ralph Lauren chairs, as well as a green 1960s safe where guests are instructed to deposit their cellphones before a tasting.

“The client really wanted a no-phones vibe,” explained interior designer Samantha Lopez, who designed the space and has her own firm, Green Velvet. “Face to face, eye to eye. How can we make it cool? So Green Velvet’s idea was we can have this vintage safe that feels fun when you’re at the door.” 

On the way into the tasting room is a seating area with a leather couch and a long row of wall-mounted bookshelves, complete with antique collectibles like a vintage toy Porsche and dozens of old books, and on the other side is a curved wooden bar stocked with whiskies. […]”


Kind words from past and present design collaborations:

I worked with Samantha on a project and I was impressed with her design ideas. There was nothing cookie cutter with her approach. The rooms she created were original and fun while still remaining elegant and sophisticated.

  • Michael

I’ve had the pleasure to know Samantha […] and can speak very highly of her work and professionalism. […] She has an amazing eye for what she does and has incredible taste. She excels beyond her work and is an amazing personality, which makes working with her that much easier.

  • James

Green Velvet and Samantha Lopez did a marvelous job of designing our New York offices. Highly recommend for design projects.

  • Taylor

Samantha is an extremely talented designer. She is hardworking; her innovative ideas, style, and passion for detail and great design shows in any project she does. I have worked with her in several hospitality, residential and retail projects and I would highly recommend her.

  • Melpi

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