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How Do I... Create a Hamptons-Style Exterior?
The laid-back elegance of Hamptons styling never goes out of vogue – here's how to apply it to your home's facade
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and design questions. Here, Natalee Bowen, interior designer and director at Indah Island and James Hardie Linea ambassador, reveals how to give your property’s exterior a Hamptons makeover.
Consider the setting
There are different ways to apply the Hamptons look to your exterior, and the one you choose will largely depend on the surrounding landscape. You may choose, for example, darker colours and sleeker styling in an urban setting to fit in with the deeper tones of the streetscape.
A coastal home, on the other hand, may be better suited to softer, weathered tones and more intricate detailing.
Find a building designer near you on Houzz to give your home a Hamptons makeover
There are different ways to apply the Hamptons look to your exterior, and the one you choose will largely depend on the surrounding landscape. You may choose, for example, darker colours and sleeker styling in an urban setting to fit in with the deeper tones of the streetscape.
A coastal home, on the other hand, may be better suited to softer, weathered tones and more intricate detailing.
Find a building designer near you on Houzz to give your home a Hamptons makeover
Add weatherboards
No Hamptons-inspired exterior is complete without weatherboards. It’s perfect for evoking that classic, coastal charm the Hamptons look is known for.
No Hamptons-inspired exterior is complete without weatherboards. It’s perfect for evoking that classic, coastal charm the Hamptons look is known for.
Scyon Wall’s Linea weatherboard is my favourite. It’s durable, low-maintenance and provides clean, horizontal shadow lines. You can also apply it straight over brick or render, and paint it if you choose.
I’d suggest using the 150-millimetre profile for smaller homes and the 180-millimetre profile on larger abodes.
I’d suggest using the 150-millimetre profile for smaller homes and the 180-millimetre profile on larger abodes.
Choose coastal colours
The seaside is a colour muse for the Hamptons look – think neutral tones such as white for trims, creams and light greys for cladding, and accents of duck-egg blue.
Traditionally, blue-and-white formed the backbone of the Hamptons palette, though today there’s more scope to interpret these beachy colours in new, creative ways.
The seaside is a colour muse for the Hamptons look – think neutral tones such as white for trims, creams and light greys for cladding, and accents of duck-egg blue.
Traditionally, blue-and-white formed the backbone of the Hamptons palette, though today there’s more scope to interpret these beachy colours in new, creative ways.
A classic colour combination of pale grey cladding with white trims really brings the look alive. Alternatively, give your facade a contemporary Hamptons makeover with an edgy twist by having black trims on white weatherboard, or vice versa.
Think interesting detailing
Capturing the quintessential essence of a Hamptons exterior is all in the details; embellish your facade with beautiful balustrades, window trims and pillars.
Capturing the quintessential essence of a Hamptons exterior is all in the details; embellish your facade with beautiful balustrades, window trims and pillars.
Decorative window trims add the perfect finishing touch to a Hamptons facade, whether they’re in classic wood, treated aluminium or a composite. To boost privacy and light control while staying true to the aesthetic, line windows with plantation shutters or sheer curtains.
Browse more relaxing beach-style gardens
Browse more relaxing beach-style gardens
Create a warm welcome
Decorative lighting will add interest and a soft welcoming glow to your Hamptons-style exterior. Think beautiful sconces or outdoor lanterns either side of the front door in materials such as brushed steel, brass or wrought iron (be sure to opt for matt finishes rather than anything too shiny or reflective, which won’t work with this look).
Choose from clear and frosted glass for fixtures – both can look stunning. And when it comes to light bulbs, choose ones that emit a soft, warm light rather than a bright white light, which would be too harsh.
Decorative lighting will add interest and a soft welcoming glow to your Hamptons-style exterior. Think beautiful sconces or outdoor lanterns either side of the front door in materials such as brushed steel, brass or wrought iron (be sure to opt for matt finishes rather than anything too shiny or reflective, which won’t work with this look).
Choose from clear and frosted glass for fixtures – both can look stunning. And when it comes to light bulbs, choose ones that emit a soft, warm light rather than a bright white light, which would be too harsh.
Position uplights and garden lights carefully in order to create a subtle yet welcoming feel and light your entrance with a nautical-themed or -hued sconce light or two. Consider placing lighting in flower beds too, where the light will be softened by leaves.
Add in gorgeous greenery
Complete your Hamptons facade with appropriate flowers and foliage. Rather than planting your entire alfresco scheme in hardy Australian or New Zealand natives, sprinkle in just one or two. Better yet, opt for blooms that will soften the look of your exterior, such as magnolias, star jasmine and wisteria.
Complete your Hamptons facade with appropriate flowers and foliage. Rather than planting your entire alfresco scheme in hardy Australian or New Zealand natives, sprinkle in just one or two. Better yet, opt for blooms that will soften the look of your exterior, such as magnolias, star jasmine and wisteria.
Traditional white timber planters are a perfect complement to Hamptons-style architecture, and they’re the ideal shape for growing small fruit trees and vines, which look beautiful with this style. In my home I’ve used beautifully manicured trees in painted wooden planters to frame the entrance.
Maximise light and airflow
A Hamptons home design is all about capturing light and views, and carefully positioned windows and doors are key features. Consider adding bi-fold doors to ground-floor decks and upstairs balconies in order to capture cooling breezes and blur the lines between indoors and out.
A Hamptons home design is all about capturing light and views, and carefully positioned windows and doors are key features. Consider adding bi-fold doors to ground-floor decks and upstairs balconies in order to capture cooling breezes and blur the lines between indoors and out.
Window size matters in a Hamptons-style home; take windows from floor to ceiling and consider bi-folds that fully open up – the idea is to draw as much light and air as possible into the interior.
Your turn
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More
Craving more Hamptons inspiration? You’ll love this My Houzz: From Boring Brick to Hamptons Chic on a Budget
Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like or share this story and save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Craving more Hamptons inspiration? You’ll love this My Houzz: From Boring Brick to Hamptons Chic on a Budget
The Hamptons look works just as beautifully outside your home as inside. Here are the key elements you need to give your facade a Hamptons makeover.