Grit and glamor go hand-in-hand at the Soho House New York. “Each House is a home-away-from home, but design-wise we draw inspiration from the locality,” says in-house designer Vicky Charles.
Built in an old warehouse in the Meatpacking District, the building’s industrial past played an integral role in the recent guestroom and rooftop pool redesign. “We try to use as many elements from the original building as possible,” says Charles. “In this case we have been lucky to preserve the original beams throughout.”
Supplementing the beaming, reclaimed barn wood from Upstate New York and random-width oak plank flooring retain the industrial aesthetic. “All our interiors try to stay authentic to the building they are in,” says Charles.
A collection of vintage items distinguishes each room-including ornate chandeliers hanging from the exposed beams. “There were some outstanding vintage finds-such as the lamp sockets, which are from 1910,” says Charles, which were rewired and topped with vintage glass shades to match.
“In the rooms we loved mixing up the colors with serene tones for the wallpapers and paint complemented with pale patterned rugs and glamorous velvet sofas,” adds Charles.
To pair with the oversized furniture and antiques, hand-carved French Cherub beds were repurposed for the large rooms. Those beds are found in the medium-sized rooms as well, while the smallest rooms boast leather-tufted headboards.
New pewter tubs complement oversized mirrors, and each room flaunts unique shower tiles with “vintage-esque patterns that are reflective of the [House’s] overall eclectic nature,” says Charles.
This luxurious, yet cultivated feel continues on the rooftop pool thanks to patterned fabrics, bold colors, and oversized cushions. “The roof is the favorite gathering place of members in the summer months,” says Charles. “We wanted to preserve what the members and hotel guests love, such as the iconic striped lounge chairs, while making the environment more comfortable and intimate.”
On the roof, new wood paneling and landscaping gives the space more of a garden feel, while more barstools and dining chairs further the sense of intimacy. Says Charles: “Every project that we undertake is about making the space comfortable and somewhere you want to spend time in.”
