Settlers Landing Lane | East Hampton, NY
Follow the journey of transforming a traditional Hamptons cottage into a serene retreat, merging vibrant colors and vintage charm with modern comfort.
Renovating History: A Tale of Reviving a Traditional Hamptons Cottage
This charming house is a traditional cottage in the woodlands of East Hampton, located in the picturesque waterside hamlet of Settlers Landing. Upon acquiring the property, we found a clean and functional home, yet it lacked the spark of inspiration and personality.
To infuse a sense of traditional Hamptons style, for the exterior we embraced stacked-stone elements, cedar siding, beige-painted trims, panel windows, and bronze light fixtures. To add a touch of character, we painted the door in a vibrant "Million Dollar Red" by Benjamin Moore.
Upon stepping into the dramatic two-story windowed foyer, it's impossible not to fall in love with the place. Our renovations began with a focus on the kitchen and bathrooms, and followed with incorporating traditional wainscoting and bright white ceiling beams to breathe life into the home.
Given the cozy dimensions of this home, meticulous space planning was a priority. Staying true to the cabin-in-the-woods origins, we juxtaposed a serene wall palette with warm and inviting fabrics and decor selections throughout the rooms. When it came to furnishing, we followed a simple yet effective formula: half of the pieces were brand new, while the other half were carefully curated vintage finds from local antique stores and estate sales.
Selecting natural materials played a crucial role in the kitchen and bathrooms' redesign, with Carrara marble countertops and bathroom floors adorned with stone mosaic hexagons and chevron tiles. Crisp white subway tiles were installed in all shower walls, maintaining a traditional aesthetic.
Paint was a transformative element throughout the project, with a range of colors employed, from muted grays in the living area to moody browns in the bedrooms, and vibrant greens and blues in the bathrooms. Each room featured a unique color, yet together, they wove a cohesive color story.
The heart of the home, the living room, centers around a substantial bluestone-clad fireplace with a reclaimed wood mantel and two antique metal and mirror lanterns discovered in an estate sale. Cream linen fabric on the tufted Chesterfield sofa and window drapery allows the terracotta accents to shine through, featured in pillows, throw blankets, and various decor pieces.
Adding an extra layer of charm, we repurposed a 19th-century workbench as a bar, and we paired a long, narrow vintage pine table in the dining room with a bench that once served as seating on a ferry vessel.
Designed with regular entertaining in mind, we paid special attention to ensuring the bedrooms were furnished for maximum comfort. We also envisioned summers with family and friends, investing in outdoor spaces through landscaping to create privacy, a grassy yard, and a spacious mahogany deck that served as both a dining area and a separate lounge space.
Ultimately, this home epitomizes the concept of a sanctuary for relaxation. Nothing within it is overly precious, but rather, it's filled with elements that promote easy living, including durable fabrics and surfaces. The use of vintage pieces not only adds character but also offers the benefit of looking even better with age and use.