After spending a lovely few days at a friend’s house in Bridgehampton, I am eagerly anticipating my next trip out to the Hamptons. I have spent a lot of time in the Hamptons over the years: share homes in Westhampton and Southampton; working on projects in Amagansett, East Hampton, Watermill, and Southampton; antiquing all over; and it is still hard to pick a “favorite Hampton”. I enjoy each town for different reasons. My friend’s home in Bridgehampton is a beautiful original cottage with a spectacular garden, pool house, and period furniture. Running, walking, or biking the back roads in the Hamptons is the best way to see all of the beautiful homes and landscaping. You will see a mix of modest cottages and rambling mega-homes all perfectly situated behind privet hedges. I have added a few of my favorite published homes as well as my favorite places to stay. Make your way out east and see for yourself!
A cottage in Southampton designed by Timothy Whealon below:
The lucite table gives the dining room a light, airy, modern feeling.
I love painted floors and this brown and white diamond pattern works beautifully with the cabinetry.
A cottage in Southampton by Chiqui and Nena Woolworth below:
The colors and patterns in this home are right up my alley.
Cottage designed by Emma Pilkington below:
Though this room has a neutral vibe, the sofa, club chair, and drapes are all patterned fabrics. The stair rail, lamp, cocktail table, and ikat throw pillows ground the room with their deep chocolate color.
Plum silk ikat club chairs, olive green and plum muriel brandolini fabric for the drapes, pale blue walls, teal side table, and acid yellow pillows all work well together to create an interesting yet soothing room.
Keep it simple with a few statement pieces: an otherwise simple room is dressed up with a shell chandelier and mirrored center table.
Privet hedge, pool, and bright green grass- nothing better!
Home designed by David Lawrence below:
Bold blue and white with crisp clean lines and painted white woodwork keeps this beach house camera ready.
Home designed by Markham Roberts below:
A large living room with multiple seating areas is ideal. Family can all be together while having their own space. This is also a great set up for entertaining.
The grasscloth on the walls and the white bead board make this entrance hall soothing and inviting. The built-in bookcase breaks up the long hall. They suspended it to create the feeling of a wider hall.
A traditional and cozy bedroom in cool blue and whites.
I love built-in seating and this particular spot is the perfect place to curl up and read while taking in the view.
Plan a trip and stay at one of my favorite inns:
Amagansett:
The Reform Club:
Recently opened and just written up in Town and Country this is a spot I am dying to try. A renovation of a run-down shingle-covered bed and breakfast, opened last summer in the discreet East Hampton hamlet of Amagansett, where the neighbors include Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul McCartney, and Jerry Seinfeld. The look in the seven suites and three cottages is breezy and low-key: white wood paneling, taupe sofas, linen-covered headboards, embroidered bedspreads. Each suite and cottage has different contemporary art—a headless, one-armed woman makes frequent appearances in prints and paintings—a coffee table piled high with art and history tomes, iPod dock, and, best of all, a working fireplace. Voluminous bathrooms with mosaic floors (ours had his and hers walk-in showers) and Kiehl’s products are another highlight. Unless you’re at the beach or browsing East Hampton’s pricey boutiques (be driven to either in the hotel’s SUV, or borrow a bike), you’ll be tempted to stay in your own quarters, which include a terrace in most cases. Spring for a one-bedroom cottage and have your very own house in the Hamptons.
Website: http://reformclubinn.com/main.html
East Hampton:
1770 House East Hampton:
Located at the beginning of Main Street this Inn offers charm and delicious food all within walking distance of town center. Originally built as a home, the Inn dates back to 1663. However, it was not until 1770 when the home was converted into an inn that it gained its name. The inn has retained much of its original architecture and colonial charm. The steep wooden staircase, exposed wooden beams, and book lined lounge with antique fireplace are only a few elements that make this Inn warm and inviting. With just 6 rooms and a private carriage house ( all equipped with flat screen TVs, Frette bed linens and some with fireplaces) this small Inn has an intimate and private feeling. The restaurant is one of my favorites in town ( along with Nick and Toni’s and Della Femina) offering up many local foods and a fabulous wine list.
Website: http://www.1770house.com/
The Hedges Inn:
Recently refreshed with a multimillion-dollar renovation ( 2008) and a fabulous location ( steps from town center) this Inn is a great pick. Beadboard wainscoting, beachy pastel hues, antique reproduction furniture, and flat-screen TVs outfit the 12 rooms, which also have marble-clad bathrooms. There’s no restaurant or pool, but East Hampton’s restaurants are a ten-minute walk away, and guests receive parking permits to nearby East Hampton Village Beaches (along with beach chairs and towels) as well as passes to the East Hampton Gym.
Website: http://www.thehedgesinn.com/
Mill House Inn:
This Inn is a 19th century house with iPod decks and flat screen TVs with 11 individually decorated rooms. They do a fabulous job of mixing the old with the new, bathrooms are recently updated and 5 rooms are dog friendly. Located a few steps from the center of town but maintaining a calm quiet this is a wonderful choice for your getaway weekend.
Website: http://www.millhouseinn.com/
xo,
S