Best of the Week: 30 Homes with Hamptons Style
Muted colours, coastal references, comfort as king; there are myriad reasons Australians embrace Hamptons style
Vanessa Walker
4 January 2018
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor-in-Chief
Hamptons style is the ultimate expression of breezy, casual seaside living. With its coastal colours – think muted blues and soft-toned timbers – gentle, enveloping upholstery, touches of texture and a focus on solid architectural features, it portrays a kind of moneyed nonchalance that is surprisingly affordable to achieve. Here are some lovely examples of the genre for you to dive into.
1. Location: St Louis, USA
Why we love it: Despite us all knowing Hamptons style when we lay eyes on it, it is surprisingly broad. We love this slightly more formal iteration, which manages to blend a casual elegance with some elevated touches, including brass hardware.
Why we love it: Despite us all knowing Hamptons style when we lay eyes on it, it is surprisingly broad. We love this slightly more formal iteration, which manages to blend a casual elegance with some elevated touches, including brass hardware.
2. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: Because it looks so effortless and yet so alluring. Stripes are, of course, a Hamptons classic, and we love the whale plate’s role in adding a nautical touch to the scene.
Why we love it: Because it looks so effortless and yet so alluring. Stripes are, of course, a Hamptons classic, and we love the whale plate’s role in adding a nautical touch to the scene.
3. Location: Los Angeles, USA
Why we love it: It may have less direct references, but the relaxed nature-loving reverence of this room is Hamptons-esque at heart.
Why we love it: It may have less direct references, but the relaxed nature-loving reverence of this room is Hamptons-esque at heart.
4. Location: Perth, WA
Why we love it: Cross-backed chairs are a staple of Hamptons style, as are carriage pendant lights and Shaker-style joinery. We love the airiness of this welcoming kitchen…
Why we love it: Cross-backed chairs are a staple of Hamptons style, as are carriage pendant lights and Shaker-style joinery. We love the airiness of this welcoming kitchen…
… and its beautiful connection to the outdoors. This encapsulates why this decorating style works so well in our climate.
5. Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Why we love it: Exposed-rafter ceilings, tick. Stripes, tick. Kitchen drawer and door cup pulls, tick. Timber floors, tick. A subdued coastal palette, tick. This spacious abode has all the right elements for the Hamptons look.
Why we love it: Exposed-rafter ceilings, tick. Stripes, tick. Kitchen drawer and door cup pulls, tick. Timber floors, tick. A subdued coastal palette, tick. This spacious abode has all the right elements for the Hamptons look.
6. Location: New York, USA
Why we love it: We love the worn white patina and the plantation shutters. Also the Roman-numeral style clock. This decor takes us back to the days when decorating was all about creating atmosphere and ease rather than impressing.
Why we love it: We love the worn white patina and the plantation shutters. Also the Roman-numeral style clock. This decor takes us back to the days when decorating was all about creating atmosphere and ease rather than impressing.
7. Location: New York, USA
Why we love it: The spindle-back bench in grey, coupled with the market bag, just makes us want to head to the beach.
Why we love it: The spindle-back bench in grey, coupled with the market bag, just makes us want to head to the beach.
8. Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Why we love it: Shaker-style doors add a nice level of detail to kitchens without going overboard. And pewter hardware (in fact any dark, patinated hardware) adds a nice historical touch.
Why we love it: Shaker-style doors add a nice level of detail to kitchens without going overboard. And pewter hardware (in fact any dark, patinated hardware) adds a nice historical touch.
9. Location: Sussex, UK
Why we love it: Who doesn’t love a timber-lined ceiling – it’s the ultimate finishing touch in this look. Plus, hurricane lamps are perhaps one of this style’s most underrated accessories.
Why we love it: Who doesn’t love a timber-lined ceiling – it’s the ultimate finishing touch in this look. Plus, hurricane lamps are perhaps one of this style’s most underrated accessories.
10. Location: New York, USA
Why we love it: They’ve punched up the typically subdued Hamptons palette a notch, and we love how the beach theme shines through.
Why we love it: They’ve punched up the typically subdued Hamptons palette a notch, and we love how the beach theme shines through.
11. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: Worn pendants and a gilded frame add lovely layers to this gorgeous Hamptons-style kitchen. And we love the warming wallpaper.
Why we love it: Worn pendants and a gilded frame add lovely layers to this gorgeous Hamptons-style kitchen. And we love the warming wallpaper.
12. Location: Minneapolis, USA
Why we love it: So fresh, with lovely classic elements, such as the blue-and-white blinds and white furniture. This is a study that works on every level.
Why we love it: So fresh, with lovely classic elements, such as the blue-and-white blinds and white furniture. This is a study that works on every level.
13. Location: Jacksonville, USA
Why we love it: A little bit Bahamas and a little bit Hamptons. Perfect companions.
Why we love it: A little bit Bahamas and a little bit Hamptons. Perfect companions.
14. Location: San Diego, USA
Why we love it: The beauty of this look is that you can do it almost everywhere. It doesn’t have to be a beachy place because the style conjures up that feeling itself. We love the woven pendants and cross-backed chairs, along with the contrasting benchtop in this all-white kitchen.
Why we love it: The beauty of this look is that you can do it almost everywhere. It doesn’t have to be a beachy place because the style conjures up that feeling itself. We love the woven pendants and cross-backed chairs, along with the contrasting benchtop in this all-white kitchen.
15. Location: Miami, USA
Why we love it: Comfort is key in this look, as are some glass-fronted cabinets and a glass-paned carriage light.
Why we love it: Comfort is key in this look, as are some glass-fronted cabinets and a glass-paned carriage light.
16. Location: Wiltshire, UK
Why we love it: Nothing says casual quite as well as a smooth rustic timber table.
Why we love it: Nothing says casual quite as well as a smooth rustic timber table.
17. Location: New York, USA
Why we love it: Did we say comfort was king? We love the bleached wood floors, sisal rug, slipcovered cotton chairs, blue-and-white wallpaper and sheer drapes. The height of casual elegance.
Why we love it: Did we say comfort was king? We love the bleached wood floors, sisal rug, slipcovered cotton chairs, blue-and-white wallpaper and sheer drapes. The height of casual elegance.
18. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: Bare timber floors and wide openings to the coastal view. Everything in this scheme is aimed at making people feel comfortable and beachy, while urging them to drink in that coastal scene.
Why we love it: Bare timber floors and wide openings to the coastal view. Everything in this scheme is aimed at making people feel comfortable and beachy, while urging them to drink in that coastal scene.
This is from the same house and it is a most beautiful vignette. Without the joinery detailing it would lose so much presence. Very well thought-out.
19. Location: New York, USA
Why we love it: An even more stripped-back version of Hamptons style, this beautiful home still has a feeling of spaciousness and refinement, of having just wandered up from the beach to enjoy a delicious thrown-together lunch, while letting ones eyes rest on the gracious lawn.
Why we love it: An even more stripped-back version of Hamptons style, this beautiful home still has a feeling of spaciousness and refinement, of having just wandered up from the beach to enjoy a delicious thrown-together lunch, while letting ones eyes rest on the gracious lawn.
20. Location: Minneapolis, USA
Why we love it: A lovely example of a very Hamptons-style kitchen, made even more casual by different timber stains. Also a prime example of how this style manages to strike just the right balance between classic and casual.
Why we love it: A lovely example of a very Hamptons-style kitchen, made even more casual by different timber stains. Also a prime example of how this style manages to strike just the right balance between classic and casual.
21. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: While this kitchen’s a bit more or the dark side than expected, it still embodies Hamptons style in a contemporary iteration, with unexpected decorative vibes.
Why we love it: While this kitchen’s a bit more or the dark side than expected, it still embodies Hamptons style in a contemporary iteration, with unexpected decorative vibes.
22. Location: Los Angeles, USA
Why we love it: Of course, those lucky enough to have holiday homes on Long Island are some of the wealthiest people in the world. And the homes do tend to be large and airy. So for those of us in a similar situation, here is a generous-sized bathroom done beautifully. Hamptons decor isn’t usually symmetrical, but we think this approach would really suit a large Hamptons-esque home.
Why we love it: Of course, those lucky enough to have holiday homes on Long Island are some of the wealthiest people in the world. And the homes do tend to be large and airy. So for those of us in a similar situation, here is a generous-sized bathroom done beautifully. Hamptons decor isn’t usually symmetrical, but we think this approach would really suit a large Hamptons-esque home.
23. Location: Los Angeles, USA
Why we love it: Shiplap walls work wonders if your ambition is a coastal-casual space.
Why we love it: Shiplap walls work wonders if your ambition is a coastal-casual space.
24. Location: Orange County, USA
Why we love it: Natural woven textures, lovely blues, and a room that places emphasis on conviviality. A truly Hamptons approach.
Why we love it: Natural woven textures, lovely blues, and a room that places emphasis on conviviality. A truly Hamptons approach.
25. Location: New York, USA
Why we love it: Because sometimes you want that relaxed Hamptons style to get a little more formal…
Why we love it: Because sometimes you want that relaxed Hamptons style to get a little more formal…
26. Location: Perth, WA
Why we love it: … or a little more expressive, a little more feminine…
Why we love it: … or a little more expressive, a little more feminine…
27. Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Why we love it: … even a little more contemporary. And that’s ok. The beauty of this style is its flexibility.
Why we love it: … even a little more contemporary. And that’s ok. The beauty of this style is its flexibility.
28. Location: Cantabria, Spain
Why we love it: Those rafters. The natural textures. The sense of ease all combine to create a beautiful and relaxed coastal vibe in this room.
Why we love it: Those rafters. The natural textures. The sense of ease all combine to create a beautiful and relaxed coastal vibe in this room.
29. Location: Boston, USA
Why we love it: Adirondack chairs are a fundamental part of the Hamptons look, as fabulously evocative around the pool as they are in indoor-outdoor transitional spaces.
Why we love it: Adirondack chairs are a fundamental part of the Hamptons look, as fabulously evocative around the pool as they are in indoor-outdoor transitional spaces.
30. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: Because all-white is alright when it comes to this genre too.
Tell us
Are you a fan of Hamptons style? Let us know if you enjoyed this story and leave a comment below.
More
Learn more about decorating by style
Why we love it: Because all-white is alright when it comes to this genre too.
Tell us
Are you a fan of Hamptons style? Let us know if you enjoyed this story and leave a comment below.
More
Learn more about decorating by style
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As a custom home builder in Sydney, we are regularly asked to design and build Hampton style homes. I think the relaxed elegance of Hamptons design works well with the Australian lifestyle. When designing, we try to pick elements of Hamptons, for example - using wide skirting boards and real timber floors in the main living areas. The kitchen and staircase is also areas to highlight the Hamptons look. Spending a bit more for shaker paneled kitchen door and marble look countertops will complement the design and become the focal point of the home. The staircase with white ornate balustrades with timber treads will become a feature of your home adding a sense of grandeur. We also focus on light and airflow in the design. You want the overall feel to be relaxed elegance.
australian coastal design