3 Reasons Why Queensland is Australia’s Answer to the Hamptons

Although half a world away from New York’s Long Island, The Hamptons is a common source of inspiration for Queenslander’s designing and building their dream home. Sharing a similar climate and coastal vibe, we look at three reasons why the Hamptons style is proving more and more popular with Australian home owners.

1. LAIDBACK LIFESTYLE

When thoughts turn to family holidays, peaceful weekend escapes and retiring somewhere sunny and stress-free, Australians often look to Queensland for their perfect getaway. Warm, relaxed and with plenty of outdoor activities to keep the kids entertained, it is little wonder many holidaymakers are tempted to make the move permanently.

Similarly, the laid-back lifestyle of The Hamptons sees visitors flock to the area for the perfect coastal vacation year-round. Like much of Queensland’s coast, the stretch comprises a smattering of relaxed, beachside towns whose architecture reflects the local lifestyle – bright, sunny bungalows with ample room for entertaining thanks to open plan living and a seamless indoor-outdoor transition.

Scyon wall clad home exterior A classic Hampton’s palette of blue and white brings a sophisticated style to this coastal Queensland home.

2. CLIMATE CONTROL

A Hamptons-inspired abode has many similarities to a traditional Queenslander, which is why this style of home is particularly well suited to the Queensland lifestyle. Both are designed with climate in mind – they’ll often involving cooking and eating alfresco – so therefore having an indoor-outdoor living space that offers some protection from the elements is essential.

Scyon wall clad home exterior With lush greenery, backyard pool and a large entertaining area: this stunning Queensland home effortlessly blends the Hamptons look a modern Australian feel.

Warm and humid weather means Hamptons homes are all about open spaces that encourage cross-ventilation – an important consideration for Queensland properties. While it is typical to find a deck or balcony in most Hamptons abodes, comparatively a standout feature of traditional Queenslanders is a wraparound verandah. This indoor-outdoor approach to entertaining is characteristic of tropical and coastal homes, where oversized bi-fold doors opening onto a deck, pool area or grassy backyard help to make the most of long, sunny days and mild evenings.

With climate in mind, the cladded exteriors of Hamptons home have been adapted to the tropical Queensland climate. Fibre-cement weatherboards like Scyon Linea are moisture resistant as well as being resistant to termite damage, making them a low-maintenance option for Queensland homes.

3. COASTAL STYLE

A Hamptons-inspired home has a timeless palette that takes inspiration from its surrounding environment – bright white, soft grey and muted pastels reflect the sand, surf and sunsets and are beloved by Hamptons homeowners. These shades are perfectly suited to all coastal homes – from floors to wall cladding – as they blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment and immediately make a space feel light and airy.

Scyon wall clad home exterior Scyon Linea weatherboarding has been used to achieve a distinctly Hampton’s look on the exterior of this beautiful family home.

Likewise, with the vast majority of Queenslanders hugging the coastline, the ocean’s stunning, expansive blue as well as the shimmering sands and lush, green bushland has an obvious influence on the colours, design and materials that prove most popular with coastal abodes. A durable weatherboard exterior has long been a distinguishing feature of a traditional Queensland home, its clean lines lending perfectly to a refined and relaxed look that crosses over with Hamptons style.

As with the exterior, the natural environment also plays a large part in influencing the interior furnishings of a Hamptons home. Classic fixtures, from lighting to tapware, will stand the test of time and look beautiful for many years to come, while natural materials such as sisal, jute and linen will bring a touch of The Hamptons’ easy elegance while reflecting the fuss-free beachside lifestyle synonymous with Queensland.