When a couple decided to escape the city, they purchased a Shingle-style house in the Hamptons and lived in it for a year—along with the previous homeowners’ furnishings—before beginning the journey of making it their own. Designer Hilary Matt was brought in to play up the home’s coastal location, taking advantage of its expansive windows and tall ceilings. The homeowners wanted a cohesive color palette, with light, organic materials that would be practical for the way their family lives. “They wanted a comfortable and durable space to relax and entertain,” explains Matt. “They didn’t want to have to worry about things getting ruined by their teenage children and friends, or guests.”
Living in the home before the extensive renovation gave the couple time to make decisions on how to preserve the charm and history of this three-acre estate. Brightening the space and bringing in warmth through a variety of textures and textiles would help achieve a level of intimacy in the home’s cavernous spaces, particularly in the two-story dining room. The couple also wanted a neutral feeling, which blended beautifully with the existing architectural components of the timber ceiling and stone fireplace. “The house is also filled with windows,” says Matt, “and the surrounding greenery naturally floods the interiors with color, so I didn’t feel it was necessary to add more.”
The landscape design is by Landscape Details.
A rug from Stark anchors the great room. The coffee table is vintage, the sectional is from Pierre Yovanovitch, and the armchair is from Eternity Modern.
A custom bar is by WoodMatters, and the chaise from M. Naeve is covered in a fabric from Holly Hunt.
Pendants from Jim Zivic Design hang above an island with countertops from Bas Stone. The backsplash tile is from Studium.
Chairs from Muskoka Chair Company surround a table by Rol Stone Works in the dining area. The ceiling fixture is from Codor Design.
The chaise in the main floor guest bedroom is from Crate & Barrel.
A view from the second floor landing.
In the primary bedroom, the rug is from Art & Loom.
The custom partition wall is by Santiago Campomar.
In the pool room, a sofa from West | Out East faces out to the garden.
Matt designed the floorplan of the home to create multiple conversation and hosting areas. The homeowners didn’t have any specific style in mind when it came to furniture, but when Matt went on several shopping trips with them, she saw what they were attracted to and used that as a guide. One of the first pieces was a Pierre Yovanovitch sofa for the great room. With its sweeping curves and wood base, it was a striking contrast to the linear ceiling details. And that was the turning point that defined the couple’s style. “From there, we leaned into sculptural furniture with interesting curves,” explains Matt. “Pieces that were visually compelling, yet allowed for easy flow around them.” The great room also features a bar, a shuffleboard table, a game table, a daybed, and a chair with an ottoman. It created a natural progression and sense of movement throughout the home, and each of the upholstered pieces were done in performance fabrics.
Matt completely gutted the kitchen and designed it with a more practical layout. Playing with textures, she brought in undulating tile and plaster on the walls, limestone counters and rattan stools around the island. A hidden coffee station with doors tuck into the cabinetry when not being used. The end result is a relaxed and cozy space, with enough room for the entire family to gather. The same approach in the primary bedroom—soft, textural organic materials for bedding, a rattan room divider—blend with the landscape just outside the wall of windows. The homeowners’ artwork with thoughtfully placed throughout the home, in a way that complemented the scale of the rooms.
Overall, the couple was very receptive to Matt’s ideas. “Their vision led to a home that perfectly reflects both their lifestyle and personalities,” she explains. “It’s designed for exactly the way they live.”