History Lessons
We groove on history, both ancient and recent. So we were intrigued by this fine example of a Queen Anne style home in Southampton. Built as a private residence in the late 19th century, it became an inn for a number of years and in more latter-day times reverted to its original use as a large family home. But through it all, the house kept its character.
Architecture: Imaginative and jaunty. Someone had fun with those fanciful Queen Anne elements, all the flourishes, the six-sided turret with a pointed roof, the variegated forms.
Site: An acre on Hill Street in Southampton Village with pool, poolhouse/studio, and vintage landscaping.
The inside word: The buoyant sensibility of this house could beguile even a Bauhaus groupie. Lots and lots of rooms of varying sizes include (besides the eight bedrooms) a sewing room and telephone nook—just the place to banish houseguests who’d rather talk on their cell phones than enjoy the sensual beauty of the Hamptons. Just on the market at $2.6 million.
See the Light
For generations artists have been drawn to the Hamptons by the landscape, the beautiful fields and farms, the ocean and bays and harbors, the charming villages—but most of all by the light. Fortunately you do not have to be an artist to appreciate the extraordinary qualities of the clear and ever changing light on the East End.
Architecture: The design here wisely collaborates with the setting and defers to natural beauty rather than compete with it. Clean lines, expanses of glass and comfortable shapes all contribute to a gentle serenity.
Site: With 110 feet of sandy beach and the sparkling waters of Three Mile Harbor beyond the pool and lawn, you could hardly ask for a more restful environment.
The inside word: To live with light is a luxury, and to live with the light of the Hamptons and be aware of it is a gorgeous perception. This East Hampton house welcomes the light and view, and that alone would make it special. But it also happens to be stylish and pleasing on its own merits. Offered at $3.75 million.
Welcome Home
There was arguably a time when people came to the Hamptons to get away from it all. We understand there are still a few rugged individualists who do that. But for most of us, the “all” is just too much fun and too magnetic to resist. When you are here, you know you are alive, in the moment and tuned in—and maybe in the end that is getting away from something mundane.
Architecture: This is the kind of house that forms a village streetscape. Open and friendly to the street, its hosta lined walk leads to a traditional covered porch of the kind that welcomes friends and neighbors.
Site: Just a village lot in Southampton, but this is not the kind of house that demands estate surroundings.
The inside word: Expecting company? Plenty of room here with five bedrooms in the house and another four in the guest cottage—and an ample eight baths to go along. We’d love to wake up in a pretty front bedroom with flowers blooming in the window boxes on the other side of the lace curtains. Could you have anything but a wholesome day after that? Offered at $2.25 million.
Homework in Geometry
Modernism has taken some hits in recent years, but the current tedium of so many enormous structures, loosely derivative of the shingle-style, piling up one after another, is starting to make crisp lines look innovative and fresh again. Good modernism from the 1970s and 80s is now generating more than quizzical interest.
Architecture: Richard Dattner designed this house in 1980s. It’s crisp but by no means minimal, forward looking but definitely not industrial. There is a sure hand in using geometrical forms and not letting them become gimmicks.
Site: Georgica Close is a fashionable East Hampton address, and this property, across the street from the pond, has a little third floor hideout for gazing over the water.
The inside word: There’s a touch of James Bond here—and it’s not a bad thing. It shows us that modern architecture can be fun and romantic instead of cold and detached. We can truly appreciate it for the sculptural qualities and the play of light and forms. Offered at $3.45 million.