What inspired the creation of Lambert + Hope, and how did your backgrounds shape the vision?

Chris: The concept came together after I returned from England, where I was Head of Sourcing at Soho House in London. Suren had his own furniture line and suggested we build something together. Our space perfectly bridged a market gap—too large for a typical boutique, but too intimate for a department store. Both of our backgrounds are rooted in global sourcing and product development from our time at Anthropologie, giving us a deep, shared connection to design, trends, and manufacturing.

Suren: We wanted to launch an elevated lifestyle brand that felt entirely intentional. Because we design and produce our own exclusive ranges of dinnerware, bedding, lighting, and furniture, we offer a level of uniqueness other boutiques can’t match. As Founder of Co.House Design & Maker’s Palm, I’ve always believed great design should feel collected and personal. We mix our custom designs with curated outside finds to create a cohesive vision spanning apparel, apothecary, and home furnishings.

Your collection features a distinct emphasis on craftsmanship. How do you select your makers?

Chris: Domestically, we look for true masters of their craft, from candle makers in the Catskills to artisans and small businesses producing goods throughout the United States. Supporting American makers has always been an important part of who we are. Globally, we leverage our design network. We do extensive trend research with a design partner in Europe, while Suren travels overseas tracking heritage techniques like traditional, hand-cut block printing in the Far East.

Suren: We play to geographic strengths. The US excels at upholstered furniture, so our bench-made sofas and beds are built to order in North Carolina and LA using traditional, eight-way hand-tied construction. Chris also sources handcrafted Amish dining pieces from Lancaster, alongside pantry items, candles, rugged tote bags, apparel, and everyday goods made by American artisans and small makers. We want a global appeal that honors true artistry, whether it is apparel from Portugal or textiles from Estonia.

How do you approach merchandising to ensure the space feels personal rather than overly designed?

Chris: It is a constant daily push and pull. Entering our third year, we look closely at consumer data and economic shifts to decide which categories to grow or restrain. We edit heavily because we want a very strict point of view; every single item is there because we deeply believe in the brand story, the craftsmanship, or the ingredients.

Suren: The magic lies in the balance. The layout works because it grounds fashion-forward pieces with classic neutrals. You can come to Lambert + Hope for high-quality everyday apparel basics, but you will also discover whimsical, unexpected details like artisan tabletop pieces. Merchandising under our core brand lines gives us a steady foundation to weave in those conversational elements.

Being rooted between Lambertville and New Hope, how has this community influenced the brand?

Chris: I live in Lambertville and grew up in Bucks County, so I’ve watched this region evolve for decades. I draw a lot of inspiration from my time living in London, where daily life revolved around charming neighborhood shops. I felt our local towns needed a central place that catered to both everyday needs and special moments. Even our name comes from a lifelong regional habit—growing up here, you never just went to one side of the river; you always went to both.

Suren: When we were brainstorming names, Chris suggested "Lambert + Hope" because when you walk across the bridge, there is a literal line on the concrete marking the state border. It is the absolute ideal region to launch a brand. We sit in a geographic sweet spot within easy driving distance of New York City, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and Princeton, drawing a vibrant mix of sophisticated locals and weekend travelers.

When you are not immersed in the shop, what does a perfect day off look like?

Chris recharges through his love of travel, constantly finding inspiration in art, museums, architecture, local markets, craftsmanship, and charming small-town shops across the country.  These experiences influence his perspective and help shape the thoughtfully curated aesthetic and storytelling behind Lambert + Hope.

Suren recharges with his kids by his side — whether he is coaching, traveling to games, cheering from the sidelines, or simply spending weekends together watching sports as a family. That sense of connection, teamwork, and family is deeply rooted in who he is both personally and professionally.