It’s the interiors equivalent of an Hermès Birkin bag: a home in the Hamptons. Classic, covetable and borderline impossible to come by. But while buying property on Long Island may be out of our reach, building a home that looks like it belongs on those storied shores isn’t – and it might cost less than you think.
Relaxed yet refined, Hamptons-style homes are perfectly suited to our coastal lifestyle, offering a light-filled look that’s breezy and beachy while retaining an elegant polish. But how do you get this timeless style yourself? Just ask Australian project home builder Metricon, which designs swoon-worthy Hamptons-style homes that wouldn’t look out of place on America’s East Coast and – wait for it – won’t blow the budget. Their sought-after ‘Bayville’ design, for instance, captures everything we love about Hamptons style. Read on for the key elements that define this laidback yet luxurious look.
1/ An elegant exterior
You can pick a classic Hamptons home by its beautiful façade: think weatherboard cladding, a gable roof, large balconies and perhaps a wraparound verandah. They’re typically painted in fresh white, a soft neutral or even an inky shade of blue to hint at the dreamy colour palette that lies within. It’s a style that has endured the test of time – since Long Island first became the holiday destination of choice for New York’s elite – and it shows no signs of losing favour any time soon.
2/ Quality materials
Designed to withstand wild coastal weather, Hamptons homes are built to last, with an emphasis on quality materials and craftsmanship. Timber flooring and stone-look benchtops define interiors. For hardware, do as the residents of Montauk do and choose brass to add a gleaming metallic accent in the form of cabinetry handles and pendant lamps.
3/ Timber detailing
No Hamptons-style home is complete without classic timber wall panelling inside, from wainscoting and dado rails to Shaker-style profiles on kitchen and bathroom cabinetry. For a truly authentic take on the style, line ceilings with timber panelling too, as seen in the Metricon ‘Bayville’ home design. Metricon suggest painting timber panelling in a crisp white like Dulux ‘Wairakei’ quarter strength for a light-filled effect.
4/ Indoor/outdoor flow
Awash with natural light, Hamptons homes boast an abundance of windows (usually fitted with white plantation shutters) to bring the outdoors in. French doors link open-plan living areas to alfresco entertaining in the form of a verandah or outdoor room (bonus points if yours looks out onto a sparkling pool).
5/ Sophisticated style
Look to a palette of ocean blues, white and grey to create an elegant Hamptons effect, anchored by dark timber flooring. Quintessential Hamptons homes brim with soft furnishings in patterns and prints, from oversized florals to ikat and nautical-inspired stripes. Balance all this colour with white linen slip-covers on sofas and billowing sheer linen curtains for a luxurious effect that softly filters light into the room.
For more inspiration for your future Hamptons-style home, trawl Metricon’s Southampton lookbook or visit their ‘Bayville’ display home in Brighton East, Victoria.
