SOUTHAMPTON SUMMER MIRAGE

My friend Chesie has a flair for entertaining and in the summer months her creative acumen is on fire. An invitation to lunch poolside in Southampton could include a scene from Tuscany complete with rustic Italian platters filled antipasto and fresh Montauk grilled fish or you may find yourself transported to the South of France, bottles of crisp Rose chilling next to a summer bouillabaisse and Hotel Costes music wafting in the background. It's always beautiful and completely transportive.

 Earlier this summer she called me giddy with news, "I have something new for the summer, its a tent from India and its fabulous!" A Saturday lunch was quickly arranged. Chesie greeted us at the gate looking fetching in a flowing pink caftan, arms filled with thin gold bangles from India. As we made our way down the winding garden steps, a majestic, Maharaja worthy tent came into view--utterly spectacular, regal in fact, with bands of pink and golden stars it felt like we stumbled into a stunning mirage.

The tent was imported from India, completely custom made to Chesie's specifications, in a happy pink with whimsical gold tassels and lush embroidery.

Large enough for a sleek sectional and luncheon table, the tent is perfect for summer entertaining.

Her table was gorgeous--hot pink with touches of orange. The gold chargers and turquoise Foo dogs elevate the table to summer spectacular!

Needless to say, it was a fun and very memorable lunch--I wonder what she has in store for next summer?

Wishing you much happiness this Labor Day!

  

BEHIND THE PRIVET-"THE WAVES" IN SOUTHAMPTON

Take a classic Hamptons shingle style home and add a dose of "curve appeal" and you've got the stylish and playful Southampton home dubbed "The Wave."  The 5 bedroom, 4 bath home features an undulating roof line influenced by the sweeping waves of the Atlantic ocean. The streamlined interior features a sweeping modern circular staircase and a brushed metal bridge leading to the master suite, an open kitchen plan and a stylish vaulted living room. My favorite architectural element is the cosy two story stucco pool house with a bowed roof line that mimics the main house. Playful, with a serene vibe, I'd catch this wave any day! 

BEHIND THE PRIVET-SIX SWANS IN SOUTHAMPTON

 "Keep it casual, it's not for Sunday." 

The home's owner expressed this sentiment at the beginning of the project and it became the guiding force behind the design of Six Swans, a stunning newer home with a decidedly old soul. East Hampton architect Frank Greenwald based the home's traditional lines on a combination of several styles of the past, creating a beautiful structure that fits perfectly with the stately abodes found in Southampton's estate section. Interior Designer Steven Gambrel's masterful use of distressed woodwork, reclaimed stone, applied leather and plasterwork and custom and vintage pieces created carefully composed, yet wonderfully casual rooms-a stunning expression of effortless style and a well-lived life.

 A beautiful antique lead glass window frames the front hallway

  

The clients European roots can be found in was designed for daily family living where cooking meals and entertaining guests intermingle. 

The serving room has a beautiful antique patina  

The library's design was based on a library in a Grosvenor Atterbury home on the East End. The wood work was finished to look like it had been bleached by years of rugged seaside climate. 

A beautiful hallway vignette

The living room has dual fireplaces and a striking view of the bay beyond.

The rooms soft color palette and casual furnishings were kept subdued so they wouldn't compete with the spectacular view

The powder room has a sink carved from a single piece of onyx

The back staircase features custom fixtures crafted from an antique lighthouse lantern.

 The barrel vaulted ceiling on the second floor landing frames a collection of antique ship dioramas

The master bedroom has water views on both sides

BEHIND THE PRIVET-KATE SPADE IN SOUTHAMPTON

It seems appropriate that Andy and Kate Spade's summer home was formerly a boardinghouse for the William Merritt Chase's Shinnecock Hills Summer School of Art.  The design visionaries have owned this rambling Southampton home for years, a charming shingled abode which rests amid a collection of similar cottages known as the Art Village. The laid-back, bucolic setting is in stark contrast to the gated, privet lined mansions just blocks away. I always expected the Spade's home to be infused with her bold, whimsical designs. Imagine my surprise when I saw a softer side; a home swathed in delicate, romantic design. The sloped bead board walls are white washed a milky hue and the rooms are filled with vintage dressers and a curated collection of antique textiles. It all makes for a delightful departure; an artsy, nostalgic getaway "Spade style."

photos courtesy of Saunders