In the living room, custom corduroy sofas complement vintage French armchairs.
The kitchen’s cabinetry is by deVOL, and the sconces are from Shoppe Amber Interiors.
In the dining room, the chairs are by Guillerme et Chambron, and the walls are painted in Olive from Farrow & Ball.
The sunroom’s coffee table is by BDDW, and the sofa is upholstered in a Kravet linen.
In a guest bath, the vanity and sconces are vintage, and the wall covering is from Schumacher.
HC&G: This is a charming Southampton weekend residence. How is it similar to—and how does it differ from—your primary home in the city?
Designer Samantha Tannehill: Thank you! Our Southampton home and New York apartment couldn’t be more different aesthetically, and that’s exactly what we love about them. The Southampton house has this wonderful Old World charm with European influences woven throughout, while our city apartment leans into mid-century modern design style. What ties them together is our passion for art—both spaces are filled with modern, contemporary, and vintage pieces that tell our story. It’s like having two completely different conversations with the same voice.
Is it true that part of the interior transformation actually began with the door knobs?
Not exactly, but they definitely played a pivotal role! The knobs were a major issue—my husband was insistent on replacing the original shiny gold, dated levers. When I found these beautiful Baldwin egg-shaped brass knobs, I thought they’d patina beautifully over time. However, during construction, we realized our old doors were just too thin for the locksets. We have loads of doors across two floors—five bedrooms, five-and-a-half bathrooms, closets, outdoor sets—and they all had to be rigged to fit these knobs. It was a lot of labor and a labor of love, and we absolutely adore them.
I love the use of green throughout the home. How did that come about?
It’s so soothing and comforting. I was inspired while flipping through a magazine. I spotted an advertisement for Backdrop paint featuring this gorgeous porch in the most incredible green, and I immediately knew that was the color I wanted for our front door! It’s eye-catching, yet warm and inviting, exactly the welcome we wanted to create. When we found this amazing corduroy fabric for the sofas in a similar rich green, it felt like a great connection. We needed durable fabric for heavy use, but this color was so elegant and inviting, it helped to elevate the entire space. Our dining room sits between the kitchen and living room, and we wanted everything to feel cohesive. The green became a conversation that started at the door and continued throughout the home. It just felt right for Southampton and our four-acre property with lush grass and beautiful trees. It’s warm, inviting, alive, welcoming, elegant, and happy.
Tell me about the use of natural textures that you chose.
Natural fibers are incredibly important to me because they’re materials that last and feel wonderful against your skin. The jute rugs in the entrance and hallways create a soft transition from outdoors to indoors, keeping that natural element alive. Our striped jute living room rug has this beautifully rough appearance, but handles so much traffic and life—it’s practically indestructible. We used linen wallpaper throughout, which adds a delicate elegance with subtle tonal depth. And our linen headboards create this added layer against the linen wallpaper that creates dimension and maintains the softness in the bedrooms. Our sunroom sofa is in this creamy linen and is absolutely divine to lounge on. There’s something about natural textures that ground a space and make it feel authentically lived-in.
There seems to be a European sensibility that’s woven throughout—was that part of your inspiration?
Absolutely. The home’s exterior has a classic cedar shingle façade, and we have an expansive four acres of property, which helps set this European tone. My husband’s Tuscan roots played a significant role in shaping the overall aesthetic and atmosphere. We wanted to bring that warm, inviting European charm into the home by adding color, fabrics, and vintage pieces that evoke a sense of place. You could feel like you’re in the south of France, on the coast of Tuscany, or right here in Southampton; it’s that beautiful blend of influences that creates a home that feels both elegant and effortlessly transportive.
The kitchen looks particularly inviting—what were the most important things you considered before renovating it?
Space was everything. The kitchen is the heart of our home, and in this family, especially, we live for food and being together. Cooking, chatting, eating—it’s all so important to us. Originally, we had a stove in the center with a hood that completely blocked the flow of the room. Moving that made the space feel bigger immediately. We made the island much larger than before—it’s now the true centerpiece where everyone gathers. We worked with deVOL to optimize the layout and maximize functionality, and I’m absolutely over the moon with the results. It’s now a space that invites you in and never wants to let you go.
Is it easier or more difficult to design for yourself versus a client?
Great question! I’m fortunate to have a team I can lean on when I’m struggling with decisions for our own projects, and they’re incredibly discerning. I trust their judgment completely, which makes the process easier. That said, I definitely second-guess myself more when designing for my family than I do for clients. There’s something about it being your space that raises the stakes. With clients, I’m confident and decisive. With myself? I overthink everything!
What was the biggest challenge while redoing this home? What has been the greatest reward?
Besides the doorknob saga, the lead times on the sunroom sofas were absolutely crazy. But honestly, the greatest reward has been seeing how genuinely happy my husband and family are with the changes we made. They still talk about it, and that means everything to me. When the people you love feel at home in a space you’ve created, that’s the ultimate success.
Is it true that you have two dogs, nine chickens and a partridge, too? How fun!
Ha! We do have two dogs and nine chickens—well, technically, 13 now because I just brought home four baby chicks. They’re adjusting to the coop, and it’s a world of drama. Chickens have attitudes! I love it though. I’m actively campaigning to add a goat, bees, and possibly a pig if my husband will let me. I’m from Texas, what can I say? I’m bringing Texas to Southampton, one animal at a time!