HAMPTONS LIVING ROOM DESIGN GUIDE

A few weeks ago on the Instagram Stories “Ask me” feature, someone requested that I have more source guides for our Hamptons home. The rooms that I designed myself are on the blog already. The guest room, the boys’ room, and the second floor landing are available for your reading pleasure and inspiration.

As I’ve mentioned before, we were lucky enough to have designer extraordinaire, Paloma Contreras, design much of our home, including the front living room. This room is the first room anyone sees after stepping into the foyer, so it had to be a good one. Paloma did not disappoint. It was designed in 2017, and so many people have asked me to share a source guide. A few things are no longer available, but I’m offering alternatives so you can achieve a similar look. Soooo, here goes…

Let’s begin with the art. I actually sourced the art in this room, and I sourced much of it for the entire home. Art is so personal, and it’s sometimes difficult for another person to know exactly what another is thinking and feeling. People have often asked me how I know a piece is the right one. It’s very scientific. I just pay attention to how it makes me feel when I look at it. Art isn’t something you should have to talk yourself into. It’s either love at first sight or it’s not the right piece. It should just feel right. Harmonious. Like it was meant for you. Paloma had already chosen the pillow fabric for the sofa, and when I saw “What We Leave Behind” by Kristi Kohut, it was love at first sight. Paloma agreed when I sent her the image. It’s printed on hand-torn rice paper and signed by Kristi. You have to look really closely to discern that it’s not an original. Framing was provided by Framebridge, but they no longer frame pieces this large. If you like the look and don’t want one large piece, there is always the option of two smaller pieces side by side like this piece paired with this one, both which are available, framed and matted if you like, from minted.com.

The sofa is from Restoration Hardware and is a sleeper sofa. The room has two sets of working pocket doors (original from 1896…so that means they squeak a little) that close to create a fifth bedroom when the house if full of guests. So the sleeper sofa was a must in here. It’s covered in Perennials Textured Linen Weave stain-resistant linen fabric in Natural, so there’s no fretting about my messy kids jumping on it with dirty hands. Here is a very similar option from Pottery Barn that is a little more budget-friendly. The pillows were custom-made, but I found shops on Etsy that can make the fuschia pillows, as well as the natural and blue pattern.

Flanking the sofa are end tables with gorgeous lamps. They may look white in the photos, but they have a beautiful texture that makes them anything but boring. The end tables were a Restoration Hardware clearance purchase. I won’t tell you the price because you’ll hate me. But this beautiful gold and stone option gives you that same round shape with a slightly more elevated style. Serena & Lily has frequent sales, so you may get lucky and score these for a discount. Another option is this glass and gold round end table.

The coffee table is by Bernhardt and is no longer available. I actually purchased it from a store in Maryland whose owner happened to be driving up to New York City to visit her daughter and delivered it for peanuts. She also discounted it because it had a few scratches in the brass. But if you have kids, you know scratches are inevitable within a matter of days, so hey, why not start out with a few to reduce your stress? What’s my point? Don’t be afraid to buy used furniture or discounted items because they have a few flaws. It’s a great way to save. All that said, I won’t leave you hanging. Here are three options to achieve a similar look: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3. Coffee table books are the perfect accessory, and many of my favorites are linked in this blog post. The blue and white ceramic drip vase was originally from Williams-Sonoma and was in our master bedroom, but I took the liberty of moving it. Here is a similar option available today.

Of everything in this room, I’ve gotten the most questions about the art and the woven chairs. Everyone always asks if the chairs are comfortable. And surprisingly, they are! I wouldn’t want to cuddle up in one for a movie, but they’re fine for conversation. And they’re woven really well, so there aren’t any loose strands snagging your clothing or poking you in the leg. In between the chairs sits a beautiful gold gilt cocktail table, perfect for resting that glass of summer rosé!

Underneath all of the furniture are two layered rugs. The top layer is an indoor/outdoor rug, which is wonderful if you have children. It’s also very soft. Our home doesn’t have an official playroom, so we often move the woven chairs, coffee table, and cocktail table aside and use the space for games, building trains, and constructing LEGO sets. The seagrass rug is the same one that is used in the second living room and dining room.

On the windows, also original from 1896, are the same hardware, linen panels, and shades from the dining room. Since all three rooms as connected by door openings, we felt it important to keep it all consistent. Belgian heavyweight linen panels dress the windows over woven wooden shades from the Shade Store. The linen panels, as you’d guess by their name, are heavy and thick. They come in two widths, 50 and 100 inches, so you can choose based on the size of your window. I had them hemmed to fit the windows, so with all of this, we have a custom look without a custom price. The Shade Store bamboo grass shades were named Hampton-2 when I purchased, but it now appears the shade is named Almond. The hardware is from Pottery Barn—rods and drapery hooks are both in cast iron. Between the two window on the front of the house are small, round, gold gilt mirrors that were originally purchased in a set of three from Pottery Barn but are no longer available. I found a few similar options here and here.

Regarding accessories besides the coffee table books, I purchased this set of Japanese rice bowls from Amazon for a steal, and they’ve been useful in many places around our home, including this living room. I also have one of my favorite small pieces of art leaning on an end table. It’s a square canvas from Art by Megan, and it’s absolutely perfect for a coastal home.

As you can see, all of the items listed are hyperlinked in the post, but in case you’re one of those people who just wants to shop, you can click on the photos below to shop many of the items available through the LIKEtoKNOW.it app. I hope you’ve enjoyed touring this room of our home. As always, please feel free to message me with any questions.

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