Where is the Hamptons?
The Hamptons is the beachside area on the eastern end of Long Island near New York city. It’s where wealthy New Yorkers built their holiday homes to escape the stifling heat of the New York summer. This trend started in the 1920’s and 1930’s and has been popular ever since.

Architectural Elements

A Hamptons style beach house is usually large, 2 storey, of timber construction with exterior cladding and shingled roof. The rooms are light, airy and feature large windows and French doors that lead onto wide, open verandahs that look out over the beach.

How to get this look at your place

The Hamptons styled home is essentially a beach house that’s decorated in a classic yet relaxed and understated style. Interior decoration includes:
• A neutral palette on walls, often in whites, greys, pale blues and greens, and white on the woodwork eg. skirting boards, architraves
• Hardwood floorboards rather than wall to wall carpets in Living spaces, with rugs for warmth and decoration
• Walls and ceilings in tongue and groove panelling called beadboard that would also be painted in the same neutral tones
• Furniture is classic yet relaxed, with comfy sofas and wing back chairs covered in cotton, linen and canvas. Throw in an eclectic mix of other timber pieces in darker finishes to contrast with the other light neutrals in the rooms
• Add a punch of colour to your design with scatter cushions, throws and other decorative accessories
• Think shutters (white), curtains and roman blinds on your windows and French doors
• Kitchens are Shaker style and often white but could also be any of the light greys eg blue grey, green grey, plain grey
• Built in furniture such as fireplace mantels, bookcases will usually be white.

If you’d like to enjoy this look at your place and need some help to achieve it, simply call or text Jenny Williams’ Creative Style now on 0416 190 792 or email [email protected]