HotelChatter

Hotelchatter: How did you get your start and land such a cool gig?

Melissa: I started working for a design firm and they handled hotels and then I worked on some private homes in LA which is how I met designer of Soho Grand hotel, Bill Soffield which, is then how I ended up here.

While working In L.A. on some private homes I met the designer of the Soho Grand Bill Sofield of Studio Sofield who asked me to join the team in New York. It was shortly after time that the Soho Grand were looking to bring an in-house design director while continuing to work with Studio Sofield so I was lucky enough to be offered the position at Soho Grand and still be able to work with my old team at Studio Sofield.

Hotelchatter: So what is the new "concept" behind the refurbishments in the rooms at the Soho Grand?

Melissa: The look of the Soho Grand is meant to be "homey". There is more privacy at the Soho Grand and the rooms are meant to feel more boutique-like. However the rooms are still fully equipped for the business traveler. For example, the old mission desks in the room have been replaced with tables that are multi-functional.

We wanted to refresh the original concept and continue our love affair with 19th century industrial design in a boutique hotel setting while updating the functional requirements of our typical guests . For example the old mission desks in the room have been replaced with tables that are multi-functional for dining and working. We kept The Hotel's familiar warm sepia color palette - dark chocolates, biscuits and beiges and revitalized them through bold patterns, experiential textures, and natural materials to maintain a very relaxed second home feeling while still being fully equipped for the modern business traveller.

Hotelchatter: What are some of the other changes or updates that have been made to the rooms?

Melissa: Soho has changed a lot since the hotel first opened so for its ten year anniversary this year we wanted to acknowledge this. Now that Soho is a shopping destination, we have designed a large built in closet behind a free standing folding screen for much coveted storage space. This is also where our mini bar 's is hidden packed with new healthy goodies.

Instead of oreo cookies we have citarella nuts and sugarless gummy bears. We were careful of the rise of diabetes and focused on low-sugar products while maintaining the prices. I also replaced the headboards in the rooms with a brown leather and the drapes now allow for complete privacy and look pleasing from both the inside of the room and the outside. The wallpaper in the rooms is also new and cool. Its made of fiberglass. (It looks like a basket weave)

Hotelchatter: Tell us about some of the designs you have personally brought to the look of the hotel?

Melissa: I proposed the new seersucker duvet covers replacing the old coverlet. They are a light brown and white stripe seersucker. I sourced out of a mill in italy and had them custom madeby a company in Chicago, Muse. I believe it adds warmth and feels more like you are in someone's home. I also, at the request of Bill who wanted something "kitschy", found the bird wallpaper that is in the bathrooms of the new penthouse rooms. I found it at Decorators Walk.

Hotelchatter: Anything else specific to your designing technique?

Melissa: Well, I'm a ligthbulb junkie. And I have custom designed some of the light fixtures. Bill taught me about lightbulbs as he has over 200 types in his house.

So when booking your next stay - be sure to ask for an updated room, and let us know what you think of the new rooms.

Thank you Melissa for taking the time to meet with us.

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·SohoG Grand reviews [TripAdvisor]