Discovering Samatha Knapp

I am truly honored to share the unexpected and inspiring backstory of major East Coast tastemaker, Samantha Knapp.

Samatha is the interior designer behind Tiger Lily’s, an indispensable resource for distinctive objects in Greenwich, Connecticut. Samantha has been covered by Architectural Digest, Coco & Kelley, Lonny and more so let’s just say she’s a pretty big deal. She didn’t, however, come by her success without any struggle.

As a female entrepreneur in the midst of my own life’s third act, I seriously love Samantha’s story because it’s all about re-invention. I am totally inspired by her humility, gratitude, and creativity.

Tell me about your background. How did you get started?
I actually used to work as a newscaster in New York for networks like Fox and CBS, then about five years ago they had cutbacks and I was out of a job. My agent suggested moving to a smaller market but I didn’t want to move to a little town somewhere that was really far from where I grew up.

My parents had an upholstery workshop in Greenwich, Connecticut that they’d owned forever and I just started working for them, basically just answering the phone. At first it was really hard. People would come up to me and say, “We didn’t see you on TV, what happened?” It was devastating. I thought my career was over but once I accepted the situation I realized I had an amazing creative opportunity at our family business that I never saw before.

Growing up I was always creative and interested in playing with color and I started to rediscover that while working at Tiger Lily’s. Then the customers started asking me for advice about not just their upholstery projects but also about redecorating. People started referring me through word of mouth to help them re-do their whole houses. We eventually expanded our business to include a retail shop that’s open both to the trade and the general public. It’s been an incredible journey.

That really is incredible.
Yeah, people think you’re supposed to be at a certain place by the time you’re 40 and if you’re not you’re a failure. I bought into that. I drank all that Kool-Aid. Then I realized my path is different from my friends’ paths and that’s okay. When I finally got that, things really started to change.

As your life has changed, you’ve clearly become more confident as a designer. Tell me a little about your design philosophy.
It’s about achieving balance and cohesion in unexpected ways. I want to trick the eye into thinking that everything goes together naturally as if it evolved over time. Rooms should have a sense of history. We should all value where we are from and respect our heritage by proudly displaying it in a current setting.

Is there an item of furniture that every home should have?
Something with a story. Every home needs to have a piece of furniture that reminds people where they’re from. Our culture is built on a rich legacy from the past. I walk around my house and I know what I have from my mom and what pieces I will give to my children.

Speaking of the past, who’s your favorite designer from way back?
Sister Parish. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet her granddaughter who actively keeps the textile brand alive. Sister decorated Jackie Kennedy’s White House. That’s good enough for me, frankly!

What’s your design motto?
Use color! It makes you smile and makes you look warm. When you look warm your body is radiating good energy. You want your kids to grow up surrounded with positive energy so start with color and don’t be afraid to use it.

Any last words of advice?
Take the good with the bad. See the bad as an opportunity. I think successful people are able to do that. Ask yourself, “How can I take this seemingly bad situation and make it into my next million-dollar baby?”

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Shopping Vintage at Inheritance

Inheritance is an exquisitely layered, rich, and romantic cabinet of curiosities. Overseen by delightful former Hollywood set designer Michael Andrews, this is the kind of place I could spend hours in!

Michael took over the store from another merchant in 2008 and shortly afterward changed the name to Inheritance. I don’t know which estate sales he’s been stalking but the items in the store are the sort of things people would kill for.

Everything in the shop is staged in perfect little vignettes against the backdrop of a crumbling 1920s structure with a wonderful sense of place. But you don’t have to worry how you're going to get to Los Angeles to experience Inheritance because we have some of the best items from the store for sale on Chairish right now.

Why did you open the store?
I’ve always loved collecting and the stories that come with collectibles. I value the way things were made in the past and the meaning that those objects carried for the people who owned them. It’s a very special connection.

Where did the name come from?
It came from my partner Paul Svendsen. It fit the store perfectly. The items in the store were handed down or are of a good enough quality to be handed down.

Average price points?
$150-$300

Design Superheros?
Gert Voorjans, Tony Duquette, Kelly Wearstler.

Sum up your aesthetic in 3 words.
Cabinet of Curiosities.

What movie set best embodies your store’s aesthetic?
Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment in Harry Potter—if it was taken over by your eccentric, artistic aunt who lives in Santa Fe.

Favorite pop of color?
Arsenic.

Which piece in your store has the best story?
Right now I have a hand carved wood dentist chair from the1880s.

What piece broke your heart to sell?
A paper Mache French Bulldog from the 1800s called Growler.

If you weren’t selling furniture, what would you dream of doing?
Whatever would allow me to take the most naps.

Be sure to check out all the dreamy objects on Chairish that Michael listed from Inheritance. A new heirloom might just be waiting for you!

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