Known informally as the White House, this 1970s Don Chappell modern in Georgica stands out among its more traditional neighbors, as though it had been plunked from some groovy outer orbit onto a never-ending expanse of green lawn. Built in sections at odd angles, with cantilevered terraces and a façade of gleaming white walls and soaring glass panels, it immediately caught the eye of a stylish London-based East Hampton-ite and her financier husband, who summer on the East End with their two daughters.
Originally the lair of a go-getting former board member of the Museum of Modern Art, the house was once a hangout for local artists and is now home to a host of impressive artworks, culled together over the years by the discerning current homeowner. To make room for her growing art collection and frequent guests from across the Pond, she enlisted architects Brent Leonard and Sean Webb of New York’s Form Architecture + Interiors to enlarge the house. Leonard, familiar with the structure from work he did for an interim owner, was thrilled to take on the task. “It was one of our firm’s favorite houses and very close to our hearts,” he says, “so we were pleased to be called back to work on it, especially since the homeowner has such an appreciation for design.”
Communicating mostly via phone and e-mail between New York and London, Leonard and his client transformed the house, doubling its original footprint over a frenetic six months. The modern, airy interiors exude a retro-Hollywood 1960s glamour, giving the rooms a stylish, summery appeal. Slim Aarons photos of old Palm Beach served as points of reference, as did a color swatch that matched the client’s favorite pink cashmere sweater. And style icons like David Hicks and Pierre Cardin are well represented throughout. “It was fun to receive her collages in the mail, made from vintage magazine tear sheets or pieces of clothing illustrating amazing color combinations,” says Leonard, praising the design direction that helped bring the house to its fullest expression.
Furnishings are a veritable treasure trove from East End dealers, including finds from Russ Steele of East Hampton’s R. E. Steele Antiques and Jean-Yves Legrand of Neo-Studio in Sag Harbor. Pieces from Circa Who in West Palm Beach, Lauritz. com and 1stDibs.com make up the balance. The homeowner, working from a distance, decided to throw caution mostly to the wind, buying objects she fell in love with rather than overthinking whether they would fit—or even where they would go.
But the seamless design scheme isn’t entirely happenstance. Many of the accessories, such as pieces by design icons like Karl Springer, Paul Evans and Vladimir Kagan, were purchased before the house was expanded, and now have a permanent spot to call home. Modern lighting in the laid-back family room and framed art pieces—left by the previous owner and discovered in the basement—fit naturally into the decor and bring the house’s history to life. These, along with works by Larry Sultan and emerging British artists like Sarah Dwyer and Nick Goss, prove that while the house’s ownership may have changed, its commitment to remaining thoroughly modern continues apace.