4 min read
Picture Central Park in the spring, with cherry blossoms flowering and lush grass growing under the shining sun. Now imagine interiors inspired by those seasonal sights. That’s exactly what Samantha Stathis Lynch did while designing her clients’ apartment on New York’s Upper East Side, only one block away from the famous green space. “There’s nothing more uplifting than seeing the first pops of vibrant green shoot up in the center of the gray city,” says the founder of the New Jersey-based studio, Samantha Ware Designs.
Initially, the clients enlisted Stathis Lynch to give the post-war Manhattan apartment a cosmetic makeover packed with color and pattern. “While there was nothing ‘wrong’ with the apartment to begin with, it lacked personality and was essentially a blank canvas with white walls, white cabinets, and simple bathrooms,” says Stathis Lynch. As the process went on, a kitchen renovation became a necessity because the existing cabinets were made of melamine and “nearly impossible to paint.” They needed to be replaced.
Adding a kitchen renovation meant the project took a few extra months, but it also meant they were able to tweak the layout to maximize every inch of the 1,400-square-foot space. The star of the new cook space is the fresh cabinetry fabricated by Iron Oak and painted in Shasta Daisy by Portola Paints. “When I gave the cabinet makers the color, they looked at me like I was crazy,” says Stathis Lynch. “But the first time they walked into the space when the kitchen was fully installed, and the furniture was in, they said it was the happiest apartment they’d ever been in!”
Throughout the rest of the home, Stathis Lynch brought in additional bright yellows, shades of lavender, soft pinks, and natural greens. The living room is anchored by a floral Nanimarquina rug and an apple green velvet sectional, while a soft sage green grasscloth wallpaper creates a restful atmosphere in the primary bedroom. “The client requested that the office, which doubles as a second bedroom, be an uplifting space with the ability to stimulate creativity,” says Stathis Lynch. “Maison C wallpaper wraps around the room, while a plush, dusty pink, velvet sleeper sofa offers the perfect place to relax with a book.”
The result marks a huge shift in the apartment’s design history, a stark contrast to its last version. “With the soft, pastel pink of the cherry blossoms in full bloom comes hope and a sense of renewal, which I wanted to emulate,” says Stathis Lynch.
FAST FACTS
Designer: Samantha Ware Designs
Location: New York, NY
The Space: A two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment across 1,400 square feet
ENTRYAbstract artwork brings the outdoors in.
Kirsten Francis
Table: Made Goods. Lamp: Vaughn Designs.
“The client and I absolutely fell in love with this piece,” says Stathis Lynch of the wall art by Marcy Cook Vreeland. “It incorporated all of the colors in the designs, and the abstract floral spoke to the apartment’s Central Park inspiration.”
LIVING ROOMA pale pink hue on the walls unites the neighboring spaces.
Kirsten Francis
Sofa: Lee Industries, in Holland & Sherry velvet. Paint: Tailor Tack, Farrow & Ball. Ceiling light: Visual Comfort. Throw pillows: Schumacher. Vintage coffee table: Chairish.
“Because there was only one central living space in this apartment, we knew that the sectional needed to be a showstopper, so we opted for a vibrant apple green,” says Stathis Lynch.
KITCHENButtery yellow cabinetry is the very epitome of sunshine.
Kirsten Francis
Ceiling light: Urban Electric. Runner: Jennifer Manners. Counters: White Danby marble.
Kirsten Francis
Hardware: Stoffer Home. Tiles: Artistic Tile.
“I designed the cabinetry to have a frame-like appearance, which is enlivened by Portola Paint’s cheery Shasta Daisy,” says Stathis Lynch.
DINING NOOKA tulip-style table marries form and function in one cheerful scene.
Kirsten Francis
A custom banquette by Stitch Room and a pair of Julian Chichester chairs, both in Serena Dugan fabric, surround the white Sunpan dining table and carry the kitchen cabinetry’s sunny yellow shade into the cozy corner.
POWDER ROOMPlayful wallpaper adds a touch of personality.
Kirsten Francis
The Voutsa wallpaper, which features illustrations of earrings, pairs with the soft lavender mirror from Fleur Home, offering a bit of whimsy in the small space. A single sconce by Hudson Valley Lighting adds sophistication.
PRIMARY BEDROOMGrasscloth wallcoverings add a subtle dose of texture.
Kirsten Francis
Headboard: custom, Stitch Room, in Pierre Frey fabric. Curtains: Galbraith & Paul. Nightstands: Made Goods. Chair and ottoman: Julian Chichester, in George Spencer velvet. Bedding: Matouk.
“In an effort to create a restful yet vibrant primary bedroom, soft sage green grasscloth paper envelops the space,” says Stathis Lynch, adding that the Thibaut wallpaper contrasts “the custom elongated headboard upholstered in Matisse-inspired Pierre Frey fabric.”
OFFICEA bold color palette amps up the energy in this WFH space.
Kirsten Francis
Wallpaper: Maison C. Rug: Patterson Flynn. Desk: Villa & House. Desk chair: Modern History. Mirror: Vaughn Designs. Desk lamp: Penny Morrison.
Kirsten Francis
Sofa: Lee Industries, in Holland & Sherry velvet. Side table: Made Goods. Table lamp: Vaughn Designs. Ottomans: custom.
“We let the wallpaper dictate the colors and pulled out the tones from the beautiful blush roses and wine-colored fruits,” says Stathis Lynch. “We opted for a Merlot-colored rug and blush pink sofa to bring those to the forefront of the space.”
About the Designer
Samantha Stathis Lynch is the owner and designer behind Samantha Ware Designs. Her design philosophy is rooted in the idea that a home should tell the story of those living in it and therefore should be completely unique. She believes that timeless design respects the original fabric of a home while simultaneously elevating it to a contemporary standard comfortable enough for modern-day living. Samantha’s curatorial knowledge allows her to source from the very best artisans, craftsmen, and dealers, creating a completely bespoke experience specifically tailored to her client’s needs.