Domestic Art
Accabonac Harbor, in the Springs section of East Hampton, is well known as the home of Jackson Pollock and the place where he created the most iconic of his works—the famed action or drip paintings. The area around the harbor attracted many other artists, including Willem DeKoning, and of course Pollock’s’ wife, Lee Krasner. The Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center, with the studio intact, is now a museum and a National Historic Landmark.
Architecture: The front façade is quite orthodox, very close in feeling to late nineteenth century houses in the area. The back is loosely expansive, a reflection of function, to take advantage of the setting.
Site: Not a lot of land—about two thirds of an acre, but the maritime landscape around it is just about perfect and the area’s artistic history helps.
The inside word: It is quite comfortable, but doesn’t compete with brand new homes on the luxury scale. The fabulousness here belongs to nature, and there are few places in the Hamptons more serene and beautiful than Accabonac Harbor. Offered at $2.5 million.
Village Voice
For years the expression “a nice village house” had specific meaning. It was most likely on one of the old tree-lined lanes where you could walk to Main Street, not in the posh estate area, a modest house on a small lot that belonged then or in the not too distant past to a local family, and most important, was not too expensive.
Architecture: A pragmatic version of the Colonial Revival style, expanded a bit, and while the look is not exciting it is appropriate to the streetscape.
Site: Half acre in Southampton Village, with outbuildings and landscaping.
The inside word: It’s a 2005 edition of that nice village house. The house, garage, pool and poolhouse fill the lot immodestly, but in this case with quite a bit of grace and style. The interior is handsome and well proportioned. Offered at $3.25 million.
Sand Castle
Our grandmother used to say that once you had sand in your shoes you would never quite get it all out. It was certainly an engaging metaphor, and there is a lot of truth to it. Most of us who grow up on beaches stay near beaches, and living away from the wide horizon over the sea is never as comfortable.
Architecture: A luxe sort of modernism, like evoking 30s glamour in a rear view mirror. In some places it feels like a deco hotel or even a classic steamship, in others like Hamptons vacation house architecture of the 60s and 70s, and in yet other places like the high tech 21st century.
Site: Sagaponack, on an extraordinary 3.2 acres with the ocean in front and Fairfield Pond off to one side.
The inside word: It’s a bit like living in a swanky beach club, with big spaces and lots of sand and sea. But it’s not the kind of place to track in the sand. Of course, with the pool indoors, that might not be a concern. A breathtaking place at a breathtaking price. Offered at $22.5 million.
Bring Down the House
As a verb, tear down has only a single, obvious meaning. As a noun, it means many things to many people—but one thing is consistent in the Hamptons. It is going to be an expensive process, right from the time the word is first uttered to the day when you have finally replaced the previous owner’s poor or outdated taste with your own refined style.
Architecture: We like these simple houses. The drama is missing and so are this generation’s must-have luxuries, but the comfort is there.
Site: The estate area of Georgica, a private, well landscaped 1.35 acres. Need we say more?
The inside word: The broker’s brochure is quick to point out that this East Hampton lot can accommodate a grand home. As a gesture, they formulaically mention a few things about the house you’d be buying. But they don’t spend too much time on that. Obviously, they know their market. Offered at $3.595 million.