The Modern Hamptons style house is synonymous with luxury, sophistication, and timeless elegance. This style blends the charm of a coastal retreat with modern elements that suit contemporary lifestyles. One exemplary design that encapsulates this approach is the Further Lane estate designed by Dan Scotti Architects in East Hampton, New York. This 743-square-meter masterpiece is more than just a home; it’s a sanctuary that perfectly balances modern aesthetics with the warmth and comfort of a family retreat. In this article, we’ll explore how this design captures the essence of a modern Hamptons house and how you can bring these elements into your own home.
1. The Concept Behind a Modern Hamptons Style House
Dan Scotti designed the Further Lane estate to reflect a lifestyle that embraces both elegance and functionality. The clients wanted a space that felt like a summer retreat but was versatile enough to be comfortable year-round, including during American holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. The challenge was to create a home that felt modern without losing the inviting warmth that defines Hamptons style.
Scotti’s design achieves this balance through a sophisticated combination of colours and materials. He uses muted blues and greys reminiscent of weathered teak, bluestone terraces, and aged cedar shingles. This colour palette and texture combination create an enduring sanctuary feel, steering clear of clichéd beach-themed motifs often associated with coastal designs. The use of these subtle hues not only enhances the space’s timeless quality but also makes it adaptable for various events and seasons, a crucial element in modern Hamptons architecture.
Additionally, Scotti incorporates landscape design to blend the house seamlessly with its surroundings. The use of indigenous plants and coastal grasses gives the property a natural look that remains consistent throughout the year, ensuring the estate feels cohesive with its environment regardless of the season.
2. Architectural Sophistication in Modern Hamptons Style House Design
One of the hallmarks of modern Hamptons house design is an open, airy layout that encourages gatherings while maintaining a sense of intimacy. Dan Scotti collaborated with the architects at Schulz Peabody Design Group to bring this vision to life. High ceilings and intricate millwork create a sense of grandeur and space, making the home feel welcoming and expansive.
The elevation of the ceilings also allows for the integration of transom windows, flooding the home with natural light throughout the day. This clever architectural choice ensures the space feels bright, fresh, and connected to its natural surroundings, a key feature of the Hamptons aesthetic. These architectural decisions not only add visual appeal but also contribute to the functionality of the home by regulating light and air flow, essential in creating a comfortable living environment.
In addition to open-plan spaces, Scotti’s use of architectural features such as exposed beams and vaulted ceilings adds character to the home. These elements, while modern in their execution, pay homage to the traditional shingle-style architecture of classic Hamptons houses. By mixing these elements, Scotti ensures that the home feels both timeless and contemporary, a core principle in modern Hamptons design.
3. Interior Design: A Blend of Rustic and Refined
Despite its modern engineering, the interiors of the Further Lane estate are designed to evoke the charm of classic, stately mansions. The kitchen features tongue-and-groove ceilings that have been sanded and waxed to achieve a soft, chalky texture, enhancing the home’s rustic appeal. The reclaimed oak flooring is distressed just enough to add character without looking overly worn, tying together the sophisticated, lived-in feel.
One of the secrets to achieving a balance between rustic and modern elements is the strategic use of materials. Natural wood, especially reclaimed or distressed varieties, adds warmth and texture, making the space feel grounded and inviting. On the other hand, incorporating modern finishes like matte brass or brushed nickel keeps the design contemporary and elegant. The interplay of these textures creates a rich, layered look that is quintessential to the modern Hamptons style.
Scotti’s approach to layering textures extends to furniture and accessories as well. For example, soft linen cushions, plush wool throws, and jute rugs add warmth and comfort, making the home inviting while maintaining a sense of understated luxury. The key to achieving this look is focusing on quality materials that age well, ensuring that the home remains elegant for years to come.
4. Thoughtful Furnishings and Timeless Décor
Scotti’s approach to furnishing the estate is a harmonious mix of vintage and contemporary pieces. From French Art Deco to vintage Danish items, each element is thoughtfully curated to create an environment that feels both comfortable and polished. For instance, the dining room is illuminated by a sculptural Lindsey Adelman pendant light, while the bedroom features mid-century nightstands paired with pieces from iconic designers Paul Frankl and T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings.
This blend of styles and influences brings depth and character to the interiors, making the home feel timeless yet relevant to modern sensibilities. The use of matte brass finishes and gauzy white linen adds a layer of sophistication, proving that modern Hamptons design is all about subtle elegance rather than overt beach-themed aesthetics. Such thoughtfully selected furnishings ensure that the space remains adaptable, evolving gracefully with changing tastes and trends over time.
Another important aspect of Scotti’s design is the use of functional yet stylish furniture. Pieces like built-in shelving units and multi-purpose storage solutions allow for a clutter-free environment, essential for maintaining the clean lines and open feel of the Hamptons aesthetic. By incorporating these practical elements without sacrificing style, Scotti demonstrates that a modern Hamptons home can be both beautiful and functional.
5. The Role of Outdoor Living in a Modern Hamptons Style House
Incorporating outdoor living spaces is a signature element of Hamptons style homes, and the Further Lane estate is no exception. Bluestone terraces and outdoor seating areas seamlessly extend the living space, allowing for alfresco dining and relaxation. This approach enhances the flow between indoor and outdoor environments, emphasising the connection to nature and the coastal landscape.
In designing your own Hamptons-style outdoor space, consider integrating materials like teak, which ages beautifully over time, or cedar, known for its durability and weather resistance. Furniture with weather-resistant cushions in neutral tones can create a cohesive transition from the interior to the exterior, maintaining the house’s aesthetic consistency. Adding elements such as outdoor fire pits, pergolas, or gazebos can also enhance usability, making the space perfect for entertaining in various weather conditions.
Further enhancing outdoor spaces, Scotti incorporates greenery and landscaping elements that complement the natural beauty of the Hamptons environment. Planting native coastal plants, like sea grasses and hydrangeas, can add a sense of place, creating a landscape that not only looks beautiful but is also low-maintenance and sustainable. When planning your outdoor areas, think about seasonal changes and select plants that will thrive in different climates, ensuring your space remains vibrant year-round.
6. Lighting and Ambiance: Creating the Perfect Atmosphere
Lighting is a fundamental aspect of modern Hamptons design, and it plays a significant role in creating the overall ambiance of the home. Scotti’s use of pendant lighting in the dining area and sculptural lights in the bedroom adds both functional and aesthetic value. For a modern Hamptons home, focus on a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create depth and highlight architectural features.
For instance, installing recessed lighting in high ceilings enhances the sense of height and space. Pendant lights above kitchen islands not only provide task lighting but also serve as a statement piece, adding a touch of sophistication. Outdoor lighting should also be considered, with lantern-style lights or ground spotlights illuminating the terraces, providing both safety and an inviting glow that extends evening gatherings.
Incorporating dimmer switches is another effective way to enhance the ambiance of a modern Hamptons home. The ability to adjust lighting levels allows for a versatile environment that suits different activities, from bright, airy afternoons to intimate, cosy evenings.
7. Practical Tips to Achieve Modern Hamptons House Design at Home
If you’re inspired by Dan Scotti’s Further Lane project and want to bring modern Hamptons style into your home, there are a few key design principles to consider:
- Colour Palette: Stick to a soft, neutral colour scheme. Shades of white, grey, muted blues, and natural wood tones create a calming and sophisticated atmosphere. Avoid overly beach-themed elements and opt for a more refined, timeless look.
- Open Layouts and Natural Light: Prioritise spaces that feel open and airy. High ceilings, large windows, and open-plan living areas will enhance the sense of space and light, creating a modern yet cosy environment.
- Mixing Textures and Finishes: Embrace a combination of rustic and polished elements. Matte finishes, distressed wood, and linen fabrics add warmth, while brass accents and contemporary furniture pieces bring refinement.
- Outdoor Connection: Maximise outdoor spaces by creating terraces or patios that feel like extensions of the indoor living areas. Incorporate outdoor furniture that complements the indoor style for a cohesive look.
- Custom Millwork: Adding custom millwork details such as wainscoting or built-in shelving units provides a touch of classic sophistication. These elements can be styled to reflect a modern twist by using clean lines and contemporary materials.
Conclusion
The modern Hamptons style house, as demonstrated by Dan Scotti’s Further Lane estate, is all about achieving a harmonious balance between modern elegance and coastal charm. By incorporating thoughtful architectural elements, refined interior design, and versatile outdoor spaces, you can create a home that feels both timeless and contemporary. Whether you live by the coast or in the suburbs, these design principles can transform your space into a serene retreat that captures the essence of modern Hamptons living.
