5 Steps To A Contemporary Hamptons Style Home
Organise + design your Reno with these resources
Dreaming of a Hamptons style home but want to give it a contemporary edge? Modern Hamptons style is absolutely achievable — and will ensure your home stays timeless and less likely to date as trends change. We call this style Restrained or Contemporary Hamptons, and like for any home style, adding contemporary or timeless elements will only add to the longevity of your design. So here are our 5 steps for designing a Hamptons style house with a contemporary edge…
Zephyr and Stone • Hamptons Project Kitchen
Add Wainscoting
Contemporary Hamptons Architecture usually features Wainscoting. Wainscoting is a decorative wall panelling, created using timber mouldings. It is a must-have feature when designing your Contemporary Hamptons home. It’s the perfect way to add character and depth to your walls, and there’s a wide range of profiles and heights so you can achieve the exact style you’re after.
In our Hamptons Project, we used Intrim’s Wainscoting Panels that are easy to install - and they even have DIY options. For a more contemporary Hamptons look, pair your wainscotting with square set cornices to keep your home feeling light and modern.
Zephyr and Stone • Hamptons Project Stairs
Zephyr and Stone • Hamptons Project Dining Room
2. Introduce Traditional Elements
A Contemporary Hamptons home needs traditional elements mixed in to add personality and charm. In our Hampton Project, we incorporated round windows for their classic appeal. A porthole-style window creates an instant ‘wow’ factor in any space and breaks up straight lines creating a classicly Hamptons look. We used Intrim’s Curved Architrave Mouldings to finish and add a traditional touch to round windows.
Another great way to incorporate traditional elements is by adding shaker-style doors and panels to joinery. Shaker-style doors are a must-have in Hamptons style homes and they add depth and interest in a simple, yet stylish way. Opting for a slimline profile on your shaker doors such will give your joinery that contemporary edge.
Zephyr and Stone • Hamptons Project Ensuite
3. Colour Me Hamptons
A Contemporary Hamptons home should definitely have a perfectly-Hamptons colour palette. Our advice for colours for Hamptons style? Material and finish selections for your Hamptons interior should feel light, and fresh and stand the test of time. Starting with your walls and cabinetry, choose a crisp white in a low-sheen paint finish to bounce light around and achieve a cool, laid-back aesthetic. From there, timber flooring creates warmth and classic, timeless appeal. For cabinetry opt for white or lighter tones, and benchtops and tiles, a classic marble look. Then add brass or black tapware and lighting to complete the look. The overall aesthetic is white-on-white and light grey, and for home decor, opt for luxury, quality, well-proportioned furnishings, and decorate with colours including navy, blues and pastels.
Zephyr and Stone • Hamptons Project Study Nook
Zephyr and Stone • Hamptons Project Laundry
4. It’s All In The Details
Remember, great design is all in the details. So when selecting your tapware finishes, hardware, lighting and furniture, ensure they reflect the overall style you are aiming to achieve. Throughout our Hamptons Project, we’ve used brushed brass tapware with a knurled finish, traditional knurled cabinetry handles and door hardware in a classic style.
When selecting feature lighting, such as wall lights and pendant lights, opt for fittings that combine traditional Hamptons styles with a modern twist to keep your spaces feeling timeless. When you’re ready to select furniture, look for pieces with simple, clean lines in natural materials such as timber, linen or marble that will work cohesively with your material selections. The addition of sheer curtains will give your Hamptons house a contemporary edge.
Zephyr and Stone • Hamptons Project Kitchen Bar
Zephyr and Stone • Hamptons Project Kitchen
5. Street Appeal
We all know that street appeal is vital when designing a Contemporary Hamptons home, and you’ll want to make sure your first impression is a good one. To make sure your Hamptons house stands out from the street, details like fretwork, lighting, windows and fence design will all play an important role. When adding fretwork, select a modern, square-set fretwork design to match the clean lines of your windows and any external cladding. A white picket fence is simple, effective and will never go out of style. Make sure any wall lights you add to your facade are in keeping with your contemporary Hamptons style. A verandah with comfortable outdoor chairs and a side table for a morning coffee is the perfect finishing touch — just remember to repeat the colours and materials you’ve used inside when making exterior furniture selections.
Zephyr and Stone • Hamptons Project Facade
Zephyr and Stone • Hamptons Project
