A Destination with it's Own Style

The Hamptons is a group of villages and hamlets located at the east-end of the south fork of Long Island. The region is home to some of the most affluent people and most expensive land in the US.

Located less than 2 hours north-east of New York, it is no wonder that many New Yorkers use the beach side resort towns as weekend getaways and a destination for summer vacation.

The Hamptons is not only famous for it's residents but also for it's fictional residents, with the television series Revenge filmed there.

What is the Hamptons Style?

The style is often referred to as a 'beach style' but over the years it has become more than that. The traditional Hamptons style is very comfortable and casual with hints of the beach in the decor.

A modern take on the style injects more sophisticated with chic decor, but maintains the neutral and white colour palette. The Hamptons style home can also feature white wood panelling, pitched ceilings, exposed beams, timber floors, large windows, louvres, and open plan layout.

Natural textures and materials are mixed with glamorous chandeliers and decor to create a relaxed sophistication for long summer nights and entertaining.

Get the Look

The colour palette

The traditional Hamptons style is a very soft, delicate palette of cool blue and green tones on a background of crisp white. The cool colours are offset by the warm tones of the wooden floors and natural fibres in the decor.

Furnishing for the Hamptons Style

The Hamptons style often uses high back or wing back chairs, paired with ottomans, alongside large comfortable sofas. Tables, whether they be dining, side or coffee tables are more often made of wood. Depending on the genre of the style, the timber may be reclaimed/recycled or painted white.

Hamptons 'Chic' Style

A more chic look will use a combination of crisp white painted timber and natural light coloured timber.

Hamptons 'Rustic' Style

A Hamptons 'rustic' style generally has a more relaxed approach to furnishings, using reclaimed or recycled timber.

Hamptons 'Beach' Style

The beach look dials up the 'beach' decor and can draw from both the rustic and the chic look but also tends to include a deeper blue as an accent.

Lighting for the Hamptons Style

The Hamptons 'chic' style of light fittings used in this style are simple and elegant. Typically designers will use large glass pendants or a chandelier as a feature piece in the dining or living areas for added sophistication. Outdoor entertaining in the Hamptons is common during summer making outdoor lighting an important part of the overall style.

Decor for the Hamptons Style

Beach decor is a common across all Hamptons styles and can dialled up or down depending on your taste. Think sea shells in glass jars, star fish, wicker and seagrass baskets, large white candles in glass vases or lanterns, and ceramics in soft greens and blues.

Hampton Style Bathrooms

I am giving this a special mention because there are some specific details about Hamptons bathrooms worth mentioning.

Hamptons bathrooms, like the rest of the house, are generally white with custom built timber vanities. The tapware and mirrors are usually quite ornate and the fittings and fixtures are likely to be chrome or nickel. Marble is often the feature in most of the wet areas and accompanied by crisp white subway tiles.

Top Tips to Get the Look

White timber panelling, skirting boards and architraves, louvres and shutters, cabinetry, and furniture.
A cool tone 'beach' inspired colour palette combined with raw and natural textures and materials.
Large comfortable lounges and high back armchairs for a relaxed living room.
Open plan layout with big windows shedding buckets of natural throughout the living areas.
Large glass pendants and simple chandeliers throughout the house and outside for entertaining.