Far East Hampton
It’s a shame that everyone is playing it so safe these days. There was a time when Hamptons architecture tested the modernistic vocabulary and when fantasy was accorded an important place in vacation house concepts.
Architecture: Restrained and harmonious in the Japanese manner, there is a Far Eastern purity here without too many gimmicks. A specialized taste, certainly, but quite an elegant one.
Site: One acre deep in the estate area of East Hampton with the Maidstone Club, the beach, and a lot of swanky neighbors nearby.
The inside word: Most new houses, pleasing as they are, could be produced from the same mold. This Asian themed home shunned the conventions when it was built twenty or so years ago, and it still displays an originality and style that we find refreshing. Offered at $7.650 million.
Power House
We witness an endless search for excellence in Hamptons real estate: imposing space, formidable quality, impeccable location, no luxury overlooked. As a result houses have gotten bigger and better, while the vernacular and the quirky have mostly disappeared. Those in pursuit of perfection should be zeroing in on this very large house in the heart of Southampton’s estate area.
Architecture: Single style comportment recaptured with 21st century indulgence. Dutch gabled rooflines, dormers, porches, high chimneys—all the (predictable) hallmarks of the current lexicon of architectural forms.
Site: Definitely on the most wanted list. Two acres on First Neck Lane with pool, poolhouse and tennis.
The inside word: It’s a great property although some rebellious thinkers may find it almost too correct. We found a welcome dash of individuality here and a tad of surprise there—like floors of antique hemlock and well-crafted paneling and cabinetry—that add appeal and distinction beyond its unmistakable lavishness. Offered at $14.95 million.
Deep Roots
Mature trees connote a great deal about status. A tree one hundred years old or more implies ancestry, descent, genealogy, lineage, nobility, and most literally, roots. The contradiction is that you or your ancestors don’t have to have lived there along with the trees, although that gives the authenticity a boost. Just have them on your property increase your prestige.
Architecture: Built in 1920 and enlarged some 70 years later, this house combines a shingled pedigree with tasteful updating.
Site: North of the highway in Southampton, on 2.45 acres bordering farmland.
The inside word: There is a nice estate feeling here because of the classic look of the house and especially the wonderful old trees. A vintage caretakers cottage is now a smart poolhouse, just right for the free form pool with rock ledges. A small pond with waterfall adds the romantic touch. With seven bedrooms the house could use another bath or two, but that is a minor quibble. Offered at $3.7 million.
Fertile Grounds
Real estate does not have to be solemn. Given that it is expensive it should not be silly and should not be muddle-headed. But a bit of creative fantasy, mental agility and artistry can add to the aesthetic appeal and to our everyday enjoyment. It’s a delicate balance and too many times people get it wrong. When they get it right, we love it.
Architecture: Eighteenth and nineteenth century barns converted to a kind of timeless living space, neither aggressively modern nor folksy and cute. Authentic details add immense panache.
Site: A clearing on a wooded 2 acres, just north of the highway close to East Hampton Village. Lovely and private, with traditional climbing roses and vines.
The inside word: This home has been a retreat for artist Judy Hudson and writer Richard Price and their children. And a place where they work. The pool is creatively done—gunite in the shape of a pond with correct landscaping. It’s indicative of the taste level here where the home is gracious and comfortable and sense of a stylish retreat is pervasive. Offered at $2.350 million.