Gotta be Hamptons
The Hamptons has been a retreat for celebrities, politicians, writers & film directors for decades. This eastside getaway has definitely been portrayed to the masses as a mark of wealth & success. In under 2 hours (+traffic) you can escape fast paced Manhattan, NY and be resting beachside in your white linen trousers. Many films & TV episodes have used the Hamptons as a backdrop to their story. Early TV series Sex and the City, Gossip Girl, movies Something Borrowed and my all-time favorite Somethings Gotta Give (SGG), staring Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. If you think you might be interested in the Hamptons as a design style SGG is a must watch. The bulk of the hilarious Rom-Com film is set around the now famous Ocean front property on Meadow Lane, Southampton.
Although the property built in 2000 and the film released in 2003 there is so much that is still relevant to incorporating this style into your home today. Architecturally you’ll notice Hampton homes will have pitched high ceilings with exposed beams, timber floors, and plenty of windows to soak in the coastal views. Don’t forget beautiful bespoke bookcases to house all of the books that you will read when holidaying beach side.
This style can be easily mixed up with French Provincial, which is absolutely fine. Hamptons is relaxed so if you want to throw in a little Paris into the furniture department it is a good fit. The aspect of the Hamptons that I personally adore is the use of texture & natural textiles. Think soft linen upholstered sofas & tall beds with plush cotton pillows that will envelope you and keep you as one of their own. That certainly gives the coastal retreat vibe.
The coastal influence in materials in very notable. You will typically see ship lap wall paneling, wicker furniture, cane trunks, sisal, linen & hessian. Possibly the closest to coastal would have to be a blue & white striped Jute floor rug. There is a glorious example of this in the SGG set Living Room. It’s fair to say if you really want to set off your Southampton that the rug is a clear winner, especially when placed against dark timber floors. Architectural Digest did a fantastic article about the Something Gotta Give set and is worth following the link to have a read if you love movie as much as I do.
So, what is it about the Hamptons that is connecting so well in 2018 with Kiwis?
My view is we often take a home is my castle approach, we enjoy being lavishly comfortable. For many of us our home is our retreat, a place to recharge. Of-course the coastal element is a no brainer. We are surrounded by ocean and even when you live inland, it is never far to travel to a river, lake, harbor or beach.
Hampton Key Elements
Popular paint colours, Blue, white, cream, beige
Over sized soft linen sofas
Plush linens, cushions, pillows
Window shutters (interior or exterior)
Roman Blinds with Curtains either side to soften
Can mix in a little French Provincial
Timber floor with striped or sisal rugs
Exposed painted beams
High Ceilings
Ship lap or tongue and groove paneling
Built in book cases
Lamps, lots of table lamps & floor lamps
Don’t forget your white linen pants & cashmere turtle neck
Products used to create mood board: Marcon Deep Button Chair - Early Settler, Olivier Stone & Kaya Mulberi cushions - Furtex, Woodmere Natural Linen Curtain - James Dunlop Textiles, Martinique Trunk - Early Settler, Demi John Granse Table lamp - Freedom, Lighthouse print - Spotlight. Paint colours, Dulux Mt Hikurangi, Whakaki Lagoon, Te Apiti, Cardrona Double & Whakatane.
