Rafael de Cárdenas Gives Violet Grey a Jewel-Box Home in East Hampton 

In beauty circles, Violet Grey has amassed a devoted following for its signature “Violet Code,” a rigorous vetting process that enlists makeup artists, dermatologists, aestheticians, editors, and other industry insiders to evaluate products before they’re deemed worthy enough to reach shelves. Founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Cassandra Grey, the company emerged from Hollywood’s beauty ecosystem and built its authority through a thoughtful concoction of niche offerings, cult favorites, and editorial expertise. That same discerning eye also applies to its boutiques’ stylish interiors—look no further than the newly opened East Hampton outpost by Galerie Creative Mind designer Rafael de Cárdenas.  

Working closely with Violet Grey managing partner Farin Samnani, de Cárdenas conceived a jewel box of a shop that elicits East Hampton’s sun-washed character while introducing design moments of bewitching glamour. “Rather than a traditional retail environment, we conceived the store as a place to linger, discover, and return to repeatedly over time,” he says. That ambition finds lustrous expression in a carefully assembled collection of furnishings and custom elements, including several pieces fabricated by Tennessee metalworker Atelier Artizan, whose bronze makeup table and sculptural display shelving lend the interior a rarefied sensibility more akin to a private residence than a standard beauty retailer. 

Among the boutique’s most compelling features is a series of custom brass shelves inspired by the sculptural work of Diego Giacometti. Their hand-hammered surfaces introduce tactile panache that immediately distinguishes itself from the slick displays of standard-fare beauty counters. “We’re known for our highly curated approach to beauty, and we wanted the display to reflect that philosophy,” Samnani says. “Just as a library is carefully assembled and organized, each product on our shelves has been thoughtfully selected and earned its place. The shelving became a physical expression of that curatorial process.” The bibliophilic references go even deeper, with each niche presenting a tightly edited assortment of products by the likes of Chanel, Tania Bulhões, Penhaligons, and Victoria Beckham Beauty backed by warm wooden paneling that reinforces the shelving’s library-like charm. 

Atelier Artizan also fabricated the patinated bronze makeup table and matching director’s chair tucked into the boutique’s rear salon. To deepen their connection to the setting, the team developed a custom patina using sea salt and water, encouraging the metal to oxidize in ways that echo the Atlantic coast. “The intention was to create a finish that carried a subtle sense of place,” Samnani says, noting how no two surfaces were developed in quite the same way. “The nuanced shifts in tone give the vanities a collected, almost heirloom-like quality.” 

Elsewhere, de Cárdenas selected furnishings that amplify the handcrafted richness of Atelier Artizan’s works. “We paired the hand-crafted pieces with industrial steel and furniture we sourced, or designed to look sourced,” he says, pointing to the round table with tassel-adorned drawers in the makeup lounge. Nearby, a lustrous Art Deco sideboard attributed to Gio Ponti flaunts gold-leaf zodiac illustrations enlivening its parchment-clad surface. Two moonlike fiberglass sconces by Blue Green Works flank the vignette; behind it, a hand-painted De Gournay wall covering depicts delicate branching foliage across white gilded paper.  

That discerning approach extends beyond the product assortment—approximately 50 of which remain exclusive to Violet Grey—and into the experiences the company plans to host within the boutique. The East Hampton location will maintain a robust calendar of events, including skincare treatments led by brand specialists, founder appearances, educational programming, and private consultations. The store will also debut Violet Hour, a recurring series of golden-hour gatherings designed to foster conversation and community among the area’s beauty enthusiasts. 

“With our programming in East Hampton, we wanted to create a space that feels social and deeply personal, whether someone is stopping in for a treatment, meeting a founder, or discovering a new brand during Violet Hour,” says Tracy Kline, group president of Violet Grey. “It’s about creating moments that bring people back again and again throughout the season.” De Cárdenas has given those return visits an equally compelling backdrop.