Guest Picks: Create Hamptons Chic at Home
Although this may be just a pipe dream, that doesn't stop me planning the ideal Hamptons beach house. The archetypal Hamptons home has been captured in shelter mags and movies for decades. It's a combination of upscale Manhattan elegance with a tailored coastal vibe. Never cottagey, it is, however, family-friendly, sand-tolerant and always, always, the kind of place where you want to kick off you shoes and relax. Here's how I would re-create the style. — Lucy from Four Walls and a Roof
One of the interior designers that best espouses "Hamptons chic" is Thomas O'Brien. His own Eastport home features a huge table in the center of the living room, always covered in books and other interesting collectibles. I love this idea for anchoring a space and making it seem both loved and lived in. This sawhorse table would be the perfect fit for a large Hamptons living room.
This, to me, is classic Hamptons. The gourd shape is a traditional option, but it's made slightly more casual with the painterly brush strokes. The blue and white palette is ideal for a coastal retreat.
I love that this mirror would work in both formal and casual environments. The shape reminds me of waves, without being overly nautical. It would be perfect over a white brick mantel.
Remember that part about Hamptons style mixing tailored and casual? Well, one way to do that is to combine your slipcovered sofa with oversized wingchairs in white linen and nailhead trim. Of course, these won't stand up to sandy feet and swimsuits, so a striped linen might be a better option.
White furniture needs dark wood to anchor it, and this X-base console table is ideal. It's also from Mecox Gardens — a store that is a favorite of Hamptonites.
Every beach house needs a little driftwood. Not too much, mind you. But an occasional lamp like this one would be just enough to remind you that you're right next to the ocean.
The Something's Gotta Give house also featured wicker occasional chairs. I like the idea of using these as dining chairs. They're comfortable enough to encourage lingering after a meal, but still smart enough to look good around a table.
A true Hamptons dining room needs a bar area. I love the bleached wood of this sideboard, and I can just imagine it stocked with glasses, a tray and ice bucket.
If you have a large entry to welcome guests, then you need a round entry hall table. I'd choose a pedestal table in a polished dark wood.
Hamptons kitchens have acres of white wood and a few vintage finishes. Thomas O'Brien is a master at introducing elements from the '30s and '40s into his spaces. I like the utilitarian feel of lighting inspired by this era — perfect for a casual evening meal. This pendant is even called "Hampton."
Beach house bedrooms should be calming retreats, and nothing says casual relaxation more than ticking stripes. I like the idea of mixing different stripes and plain linens for an easygoing vibe.
Hamptons houses tend to be geared up for large family get-togethers, so you need at least one bedroom that's kitted out dormitory-style for the kids. I like these twin beds for their simplicity, and would enjoy picking out mismatched patchworks and handblock prints for the sheets.
A few ocean-inspired accessories are inevitable, although you'd want to avoid going overboard (no pun intended) with the nautical theme. This coral-like bowl is beautiful and subtle at the same time.
A few tongue-in-cheek seafaring references are okay. I like this rope doorstop for introducing a little wit to the scheme.
A casual throw blanket in navy and white says beach house all over it, but the Greek key pattern takes it up a notch and keeps the look refined.
One of the most famous fictional Hamptons houses was the one in the movie Something's Gotta Give. Who wouldn't love the airy rooms and cozy lighting of that amazing beach house? The main rooms featured striped rugs very like this one — the ideal foil to your all-white furniture.
Q