A guide to the Hamptons style Zoe Gilpin Presented by The DIY Decorator Hi, Zoe from The DIY Decorator here to share with you an easy guide to mastering one of my all-time favourite interior trends, The Hamptons. Always on trend and reflecting a relaxed, yet elegant vibe, this timeless style is a beautiful way to model your brand new home. Thanks to its light and airy sophisticated look which gives a holiday home appeal, it is popular amongst home decorators of all ages and is a style we are constantly seeing on TV, in magazines and across social media. So why does The Hamptons style stand the test of time? Due to the use of fresh tones and timeless furnishings, the Hamptons style is a very elegant look and therefore doesn t date like some other interior trends do. I personally love it because it is a classic style which suits so many different types of homes. It is also perfect for families who want their home to be warm and inviting, whilst looking great at the same time. Different styles It is often easy to make mistakes when home decorating but with The Hamptons style, it simple to achieve, due to its soft colour palette and signature style. I also love that there are different variations of the style. The three most popular, and my personal favourites, are: All White, Nautical and Natural. Whether you want to simply add a touch of this holidayinspired look or completely transform your whole home with this always on trend style, I share some tips and inspiration to guide you along your decorating journey. Zoe Gilpin The DIY Decorator Facebook & Instagram: @thediydecorator Website: thediydecorator.net
The Hamptons style defined The Hamptons style is defined by casual, relaxed beach-side living, executed in a classic and very sophisticated way. The style was originally inspired by a group of villages called The Hamptons on Long Island, New York where the wealthy would escape to the beach for Summer. However, with such an amazing range of décor items now available, The Hampton s Style is achievable on all budgets. These days, finishes for your home as well as furniture and home decor pieces are far more affordable and the range is bigger than ever. Even though the style originates from America and is often associated with it still, countries including Australia are embracing the trend and many people are turning their own homes into ones worthy enough to belong on the coastal streets of Long Island. As I mentioned earlier, The Hamptons style extends itself to three commonly seen variations. The most commonly knows is the nautical style of Hamptons which often incorporates blue tones and nautical items such as shells and anchors. Paired with white, the boldness of the blue tones really stand out making it a very bold interior style. The second is the predominantly white French Hamptons style which is known for layers of white furnishings, white home decor pieces and white soft furnishings. The use of texture, classic furniture designs and oversized feature pieces is what keeps this all white look from appearing clinical and bare. And finally, my personal favourite portrayal of the Hamptons style is the natural look. This style incorporates those key Hamptons features but lends itself to a more neutral colour palette and uses items such as linen and jute. 3 / The DYI Decorator
INTERIOR TRENDS 2019 How to choose your hard furnishings When we think of the Hamptons style, light and bright comes to mind. Cabinetry Paint Using light finishes and paint colours reflect the brightness of the coast and the elements associated with it. Think white painted timber and panelled walls always stick to a natural colour palette and echo it through your hard finishes and paint selections. Neutral colours such as white or ivory are a safe nod to The Hamptons. The use of decorative panelling in the ceiling, walls and cabinetry adds to the nostalgic and more formal feel of the Hamptons style. By using neutral colours on the walls but bringing in the panelling, it gives the feel of luxe coastal without being too stark. Flooring For flooring, use wide stained timber flooring in a pale timber such as oak or even in a timber with grey undertones that give the air of effortless coastal style. If you prefer a more elegant Hamptons look, consider a dark timber, black or charcoal finish for your floors instead. Actual timber or timber look flooring is a great option, though there are some amazing timber look tiles in shops now which would work perfectly for the style. My favourite Hamptons style flooring, however, is herringbone timber. Simply stunning! If carpet is preferred, look to natural tones and simple textures that evoke sandy shores and driftwood. The use of light flooring works well as a base for when it comes to decorating with layering items such as floor rugs and furnishings. Kitchens & bathrooms Adding in texture in finishes is what gives The Hamptons style life. Keep to light-coloured cabinetry and benchtops in the kitchen. Light stone or white laminate bench tops look the part in a Hamptons style kitchen. Shaker-style cabinetry with beautiful handles is a great option to consider and instantly gives a home a formal, Hamptons look. Also consider using open shelving or glass front doors on the cabinetry for displaying both decorative and functional items such as dinnerware. The Hamptons style is definitely not a minimal one, so making sure there are plenty of surfaces for displaying decorative items is a must! Light cabinetry and bench tops are also perfect in laundries, bathrooms and powder rooms. 5 / The DYI Decorator
Storage & lighting signature features Key features required to make your new home signature Hamptons is plenty of storage and feature lighting. Something you will see in every room of a Hamptons home is beautiful lighting wall sconces, feature pendants over kitchen benches and oversized pendant lighting in living areas and stairwells. If you are going for a formal, more elegant style of Hamptons consider traditional, metal lighting. Or if the more coastal, natural look is your preferred style textured lighting using natural substances is for you. This applies for both fitted lighting and decorative lighting such as floor and desk lamps. 7 / The DYI Decorator
Decorating your home Hamptons style: Soft furnishings Think of a Hamptons decorating journey as having three layers. Layer one: The base the hard finishes of the room. Layer two: The furnishings your larger furniture pieces. And layer three: The styling the decorative items that finish the space and pull it all together. For all three levels, you are looking for crisp, white finishes with intricate detailing and texture to create the bright, open look of the Hamptons interior style. When it comes to selecting furniture pieces for your Hamptons interior, imagine a relaxed luxury resort style with deep, overstuffed sofas, upholstered in pale neutrals. Sideboards and side tables in natural timber or white adds extra dimension to the room, as do occasional tray tables and cane or rattan armchairs with plump upholstered cushions. 9 / The DYI Decorator
Soft FURNISHINGS For decoration, layer with floor rugs in natural fibres of jute and sisal or woven with textures of natural cotton and bleached wool. Washed out blues in rug designs also work beautifully against timber floors. Cushions piled on sofas is must and this is where you can bring in a little colour. China blues and ocean inspired tones such as sea glass blue and sand work together and with the style so well. Texture is also an important feature to keep in mind when decorating. Quality linens, jute edges and piping on cushion edges really adds a whole new layer to the space. Use items such books, glass lanterns, china bowls and pieces of coral to create decorative vignettes around your living spaces on top of tables and counter tops to complete The Hamptons look. The addition of statement wall art or textured wall hangings are a great way to bring in some colour and texture to a Hamptons interior. Remember to layer with plenty of soft furnishings such as plump cushions and textured throws to add to the cosy, inviting element that the style needs. The Hamptons The Hamptons style is one that works just as well outdoors as it does in. A key feature to the Hamptons style is creating a flow between the two areas. The Hamptons style lends itself to using and enjoying your home with others. You want to make use of every area of the home so that it can be enjoyed by all. The Hamptons style is a trend where the you decorate the outside of the house the same as the inside. Light colours and natural finishes paired with luxe, coastal style furnishings and beautiful home decor pieces. However, be sure to source items which are made to last outdoors so that they can withstand our WA climate. For both indoor and outdoor, the addition of plants and flowers is a must. Large traditional style planters with greenery spilling out of them are a great way to lift a space and add life to it. If you don t have a green thumb, consider artificial plants as there are so many realistic looking options now available. outdoors 11 / The DYI Decorator
Shopping for the Hamptons style The well known Koppang range from IKEA is the perfect, affordable item to add to a Hamptons style bedroom. Freedom have a great range of accent pieces such as armchairs, ottomans and dining chairs which also fit the scheme well. Recently, I have seen pieces such as bedside tables and lamps from the Adairs range which could also be used. However there are also some furniture stores which are dedicated to the look and so are as must look at when shopping for this style. Perth furniture and homewares retailer Henry & Oliver is run by a husband and wife team who offer beautiful timeless furniture pieces inspired by the coastal Hamptons lifestyle. From buffets and dining chairs through to art works and lamps, they have something suited to every Hampton lovers taste. Key items I suggest to get you started in decorating your home is a formal yet inviting style sofa or modular, feature pendant lighting and a mix of white and timber furniture containing strong lines and detailed features. By starting with these types of items, you can easily build up the overall style with the addition of new items over time. When it comes to selecting hard finishes suited towards a Hamptons style home, you ll find that most retailers will supply items suited towards the trend. By using the information above on what helps make a Hampton home, choose finishes which fit the overall scheme you are wanting to achieve as well as ones which you are attracted to, and it will be the right selection for your home. It is easy to pick up Hamptons style pieces in Australia. Larger retailers such as Freedom Furniture, Adairs and IKEA currently stock items which fit the coastal style well. 13 / The DYI Decorator
Shopping HAMPTONS STYLE By using the information above on what helps make a Hampton home, choose finishes which fit the overall scheme you are wanting to achieve as well as ones which you are attracted to, and it will be the right selection for your home. My top 5 items for starting your Hamptons decorating journey are: Timber flooring Light paint colour and hard finishes Feature pendant lighting An oversized, traditional style sofa Textured decorative pieces You ll find lots to love in Wedgewood Grove. Buy one of the first five lots from $260,000 and get a bonus $15K off. Don t miss out! Visit wedgewood.com.au or call 9297 9999 today. Hurry, ends Feb 28. *T&Cs apply. 15 / The DYI Decorator