Southhampton, East Hampton and other villages along the East End of Long Island make up the go-to summer destination for wealthy New York City and other east coast residents. It’s easy to see why. The area’s Atlantic Ocean vistas, white sand beaches, casually-elegant eateries and rural charm make this a great place to escape the heat, hustle and stress of Manhattan. However, you don’t need to be a New Yorker, or even an American, to enjoy the distinct light-filled, cheerful and sometimes nautical look of summer in the Hamptons.
What is the summer in the Hamptons style?
The summer in the Hamptons style uses the colours of the surrounding countryside, including the blues of the ocean, ranging from pale blue to rich teal. Also included in this palette are the coral of the sunrise and the whites of the sun reflected on the sand.
Furniture and accessories in this design style are simple and functional and include white or cream-painted wooden furniture, rattan chairs with colourful cotton or chintz cushions and streamlined accessories like candles, pottery and throw cushions.
Design pieces to use with the summer in the Hamptons style
Below are a few ideas to help you put together your own summer in the Hamptons-style room. Several of our selections today are from Lexington, a Swedish company which takes its inspiration from the New England style and is named after Lexington, MA, a beautiful historical town of tree-shaded wooden houses just north of Boston.
Settle back
These blue and white printed throw cushions by Lexington are perfect accessories for a summer in the Hamptons-style room. They evoke the look of light reflecting off of the ocean and can be easily moved around the room. They also come in a darker blue version. 50 x 50cm £55 each. They’d look great alongside this cashmere and merino wool herringbone throw from Loaf (£140) fits the summer beachcomber bill perfectly too.
Postcards and memories
This Lennon table lamp from Feather & Black is a great detail to add to any room. Amazingly, the base unscrews meaning you can fill it with anything you like. We’d fill this with old postcards, shells, or interesting pebbles to evoke the seaside look! £80
Turn the tables
This dark blue, stone-washed tablecloth by Lexington is perfect to throw over your table to transform it into an attractive tabletop setting. Use white stoneware dishes and simple crystal glasses to complete the look. £79.
Holiday reading
This painted oak casual bookcase is ideal for storing those beach reads and displaying nautical-style accessories for that beachcomber look. It could even be used as a casual stand-up bar as the shelves can be adjusted to fit bottles of spirits and barware. £ 465.
Another throw
This classic blue-and-white, fringed wool throw (shown right on the bench) is another accessory that’s well-suited to the summer in the Hamptons style. It’s not only useful for keeping warm on those chilly late-summer nights, but adds a dash of colour to a white or cream sofa or upholstered chair. £139.
What could be more summer by the seaside?
Why not add more maritime charm to the bedroom with these playful cushions from Jan Constantine as featured in Rick Stein’s Padstow restaurant. The only question is whether to pick the lobster, the octopus or the compass.
Looking good
Using mirrors, like these cream, wooden-framed mirrors ones by Feather & Black, is another good way to bring in the outdoor light, an essential component to the summer in the Hamptons style. £ 210 and also available in other colours.
Sunny blue mornings
You’ll wake up feeling the energy of the coast when you use summer in the Hamptons style in your bedroom. One key element is sleek, cheerful bedding like this poplin blue mini-stripe duvet cover by Lexington. From £119 to £229 depending on size and also available in a light green.
Incorporating the summer in the Hamptons look into your home decor is all about getting the right mixture of natural colours, light and casual furnishings and well-chosen and useful accessories. With a little time and effort, the summer in the Hamptons can give your home that expensive East Coast beach colony look, even if you live thousands of miles away from Long Island.
© 2018 THE IDEALIST
Show Comments