Hamptons design file
We head Stateside for the insider’s guide to our enduring style crush
THE AMERICAN EAST COAST is synonymous with sophistication, style and glamorous beachside living, where undulating coastal dunes flow into the lush private estates of screen luminaries such as Steven Spielberg and Jerry Seinfeld. The region, an easy drive from New York, is home to charming shopping districts, five-star waterfront resorts and design inspiration aplenty. It’s a place where history, landscape and classic architecture beautifully intersect: visually stunning, instantly relaxing and, for lovers of iconic Hamptons style – popularised by films like Grey Gardens and Something’s Gotta Give – a simply inspiring destination. Before you start planning your next renovation, consider pencilling in a trip to the Hamptons – your future home could reap serious benefits. >
GETTING THERE
A trip to the Hamptons begins with a train ride or a drive – by car or via the iconic bus service, Hampton Jitney (hamptonjitney.com) – from New York. Travelling east towards Long Island, the drive from Midtown takes at least two hours, but can vary significantly depending on the time of year – during the high season (American summer) the traffic is infamous. About an hour east of the city, the landscape begins to change, morphing from the bustling metropolis of Midtown into urban Queens and finally into spacious suburbia, where glimpses of weathered cedar shingles, timber-clad facades and the occasional windmill herald your arrival into East Coast American design heaven. Further east still, the coastline grows ever more stunning, the homes grow in scale and the villages in charm: this is the Hamptons.
HAMPTONS HISTORY
The noun ‘The Hamptons’ refers collectively to a string of coastal communities in the state of New York, stretching to the eastern tip of Long Island, including Montauk, Southampton and Sag Harbor. Back during the 1870s, a trainline first opened up the village of Southampton to the city of New York, and today it remains the economic centre of the area. Easy access, beautiful beaches and fresh air made this seaside enclave irresistible to world-weary New Yorkers, with each village retaining the spirit of its ancestry: Southampton as the original ‘summer colony’; East Hampton with its farming roots; and the laid-back fishing communities of Sag Harbor and Montauk. New money changed the face of East Long Island, with many cottages and small homes giving way to stately residences which, across the generations, have been completely replaced, reborn or reinvented as luxurious estates: this is not a place where history is revered.
The influx of wealth was instrumental in the development of the area’s unique architectural style, with the size of the dwellings initially reflective of 19th century high society: the homes had to accommodate not just the owners and their guests, but also live-in servants – think Downton
Abbey – but 20th century income taxes and two world wars made short work of that lifestyle.
VIEWING
One of the best ways to take in the design and architecture of the Hamptons – without knocking on SJP’s front door, that is – is to head down to the beach. With miles of golden sands and grass-covered dunes, the coastline is not unlike Australia’s, with one distinct difference. Almost exclusively, the waterfront homes are striking overscale examples of Shingle style and Dutch Colonial architecture (see breakout, page 125). One way to see these incredible abodes is by boat – companies such as Montauk Cruises (cruisemontauk.com) share the history of the area, and deliver a perspective you won’t get any other way. Try to experience it at sunset.
“In Hamptons architecture, there is a broad range of references to draw from: historical Shingle, 1950s modest beach houses, 1970s New York modernist cubes, 1980s mega mansions, and the recent interpretation of Shingle style” ~ Andre Tchelistcheff
INTERIOR REFLECTIONS
While the best time of year to visit the Hamptons as a tourist is the American summer (and high season) – late May to early September – visiting during the off season, when locals traditionally market homes for sale, will give you the chance to take a sneak peek at some Hamptons interiors. Grab a selection of local real estate magazines – you’ll see them everywhere from cafes to fashion boutiques – and start planning your design tour! Leading New York-based architect Andre Tchelistcheff explains that the interior details of properties in this area are driven by lifestyle elements. “Being able to entertain is often a key factor on how a house is planned out,” he says. Expect to see “Open main floor plans, ample daylight, hardwood floors and whitewashed floors, and natural materials for furnishings, often contrasted with contemporary art.” Traditional style will deliver painted millwork, beadboard ceilings and wainscoting (see below), pared-down classicism and variations of scale for different social activities, from cosy nooks to long dining tables to accommodate family and friends. Interior designer Natalee Bowen of Indah Island points to lighting as being an important element in any Hamptons home, as well as a soothing palette inspired by nature. “Whites, greys, blues – with the art or fabric as contrast,” agrees Andre.
“The beauty of this style is that it’s layered. If you want to go sophisticated, add drama with lighting; or if you want a more masculine space you might go with monochrome and grey over blue and white” ~ Natalee Bowen
EXTERIOR STYLE
The now-iconic architectural style of homes in the Hamptons is reflective of the lifestyle enjoyed by its locals. Gary Lawrance, an architect and author of Houses Of The Hamptons 1880-1930, explains: “When people come to the Hamptons, they crave the sense of being part of what a traditional summer is supposed to be – beaches, lounging, leisure, food and wine, gatherings of family and friends, and yet no-one wants to live in a house that hasn’t kept up with the times.” So while the look feels timeless, it is always subtly evolving, with a few constants: Gary lists white-painted columns, porches, slate, windows with shutters and bluestone in traditional homes. Architect Andre Tchelistcheff concurs, further adding distinctive geometry, gables and privet hedges to that list. “Fire pits have become increasingly popular; teak decks both under covered porches and extending into the gardens; and bluestone pavers around pools and walkways,” he says. “Incorporating a pool house as a feature in the landscape seen from the house is also popular.”
GARDEN GLAMOUR
As important as the house itself is, the landscaping surrounding a Hamptons home is just as definitive. The classic, structured formality extends from the architecture to the hardscaping via paved stone courtyards and pergolas to the planting beyond. You can expect to see “Lots of shrubs, hydrangeas, boxwood, geraniums, white flowers, grasses and many potted plants beautifully arranged around entrances, patios and the pool,” explains Gary Lawrance. Verandahs, large white-framed dormer windows, bi-fold doors and paved entertaining areas that connect with these zones are also an important part of the design. According to Gary, there is a trend towards windows and doors that slide into walls to enhance this easy flow. And, surprisingly, forget fences – it’s all about hedges! Privacy is achieved via sky-high hedges, which are usually maintained by on-staff gardeners. Gravel driveways and paths in on-trend neutral colours and grey are edged with careful topiary and moulded hedging, sometimes freeform, in a beautiful balance of shape and structure.
“Spacious living areas opening onto porches and terraces, where life ebbs and flows, to the pool, tennis, barbecue… Outdoor cooking is a must” ~ Andre Tchelistcheff