This article was written by Hamptons expert, Natalee Bowen of Indah Island.
There is so much I love about Hamptons style. If you want to bring this look to life, it’s essential that it flows from the outside in with a Hamptons exterior reflected in a complementary interior. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, and through my design business Indah Island, here are some of my tips on how to achieve this.
START WITH THE RIGHT EXTERIOR
Texture and colour palette are essential when creating the Hamptons style, both internally and externally. The exterior of your home is a priority, so wow the eyes with beautiful seamless features and strong weatherboard lines that are then carried into the home.
For a classic Hamptons-style exterior, use Linea™ Weatherboard from the Scyon Walls™ range by James Hardie in a grey or white to create a beautiful coastal look to set the tone for your entire house.
Linea Weatherboard in Dulux Guild Grey.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT COLOUR PALETTE
Capturing the colours of the coast such as whites, blues, greens and creams is essential to Hamptons style. A soothing scheme of pastels, all-white or soft grey that takes inspiration from the ocean can bring an instant feeling of freshness to your home. Creating a clean and versatile backdrop for decorating, it’s a scheme that will never go out of style.
Three Birds Renovations opt for an all-white interior colour scheme to add a modern element to the Hamptons look.
CHOOSE THE INTERIOR STYLE THAT SUITS YOUR HOME
There are two key styles of Hamptons interiors: traditional and open plan. The overall design and location of your home may lend itself better suited to one style, or you may just have a personal preference for one over the other. Here’s a look at the fundamentals of both:
TRADITIONAL
Opulence and a sense of grandeur are key elements of the traditional Hamptons exterior. This is matched with interiors that are classically sophisticated and reflect a chic summer resort style of living.
Traditional Hamptons style is one that is equally at home on the coast, as it is in the city or country. The best way to adapt the Hamptons look for a different setting is by understanding the requirements of your environment. For example, a country take on the Hamptons look may introduce a rustic element to furnishings.
Traditional Hamptons interiors include internal cabinetry with beautiful detail in the kitchen. The use of wall panelling or interior cladding to create more layers, or coffered or lined ceilings to add areas of interest. For lighting, this may include a mixture of overhead pendant lighting and elegant lamps to change the ambience of a room and help bring its features to life.
When it comes to furnishings, nautical-inspired pieces are a signature element of a traditional Hampton’s interior. These are often married with more pared-back colours, for example, creams and whites with navy to bring a fresh but elegant feel to a space. Overall, the traditional Hampton’s look is an elegant but refined look.
OPEN PLAN
The Hamptons, as a destination, is renowned for its summer getaways over three months of the year, whereas Australia’s climate screams for open-plan living designs that are made for entertaining all year round.
Open plan style means creating a space that blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living with a look that seamlessly connects both. An alfresco kitchen, pool, deck, or simply large sliding doors that open up your home to the backyard are examples of this.
Inside, you want to create that feeling of being on a holiday every day of the year. The open plan look is about creating a relaxed and comfortable space. You can do this by adding pops of colour with greenery and nature. Choose natural materials, like rattan, timber, and linen. Introduce elements into the interior that create a sense of openness, such as plantation shutters, bi-fold doors, or an island bench in the kitchen to encourage flow of movement. It’s a look that brings a sense of space, calm and easy living.
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