HOW TO BUILD A ‘HAMPTONS STYLE HOME’ IN BRISBANE

When it comes to design, the style of the Hamptons is unquestionably timeless, elegant and effortlessly sophisticated. Understandably, it is a style that many people want to emulate when designing their own home. However in modern times, the term “Hamptons style” has been used extensively to describe anything from house-and-land packages to shell-clad mirrors from the local $2 shop. So when it comes to designing your own home or enlisting the help of a luxury home builder in Brisbane, how can you be sure you are truly emulating the ‘Hamptons look’ in your own project and, more importantly, adapting the style to ensure it’s area-appropriateness in the Brisbane setting?

The first step should be to enlist the help of an experienced professional that specializes in the ‘Hamptons look’. Build Prestige Homes have first-hand experience in designing and constructing beautiful homes in the ‘Hamptons look’. They have a long-standing portfolio of classic American and Hamptons style homes and are a great resource for discussing your project in more detail.

In the meantime, to help you realise your dream of a truly Hamptons-style home in Brisbane, we have compiled a ‘how-to guide’ for incorporating the Hampton’s design principles into the external elements of your own project (stay tuned for next month when we discuss the ‘how-to guide’ on Hampton style interiors).

THE HAMPTONS STYLE – WHAT’S THE FUSS?

Before we begin dissecting the Hamptons design principles, it is important to establish where the style began. The Hamptons are a group of villages in the towns of Southampton and East Hampton on Long Island, New York. They feature some of the most expensive residential properties in the US and have become “synonymous with style, grandeur, leisure and affluence. However, it is not the lure of riches and fame that makes the ‘Hamptons look’ so appealing (well certainly not after the Kardashian’s show ‘Kourtney and Khloé Take The Hamptons ‘ aired in 2014).

The style of the Hamptons architecture is firmly based on underlying principles of good design. And no matter what your budget may be, these principles can be utilized in your own project.

THE HAMPTONS STYLE – IT’S ALL ABOUT CONTRAST

Perhaps the most defining feature of the Hamptons style is contrast. Interestingly, the Hamptons began as a group of unpretentious fishing and farming villages that transformed into holiday-houses for the upper-middle class and morphed into the dramatic contemporary houses of the 20^th century. As a result, the Hamptons style can be defined as an eclectic blend of understated features mixed with sophisticated elements and relaxed beach living mixed with classic elegance. It combines formal architectural styles (such as American Colonial, Georgian and the English Manor) with the laid-back ambience of Mediterranean architectural elements. How can you incorporate such a dichotomy of styles in your own project?

1. Add elements of classic American design into your project, such as gabled roofs with eaves and symmetry (a great resource of external and internal images of traditional Hamptons homes can be found at photoshelter.com). However, be aware of making your design area-appropriate. To suit the Australian landscape, it would be more appropriate to use weatherboards, metal roofing, or slate look tiles rather than the traditional shingled houses and heavy Dutch Colonial style slate gabled roofs of the Hamptons (for example, the James Hardie “Scyon” cladding could be a suitable alternative).

2. Combine clean and contemporary elements with rustic, imperfect touches that hint at the early settler utilitarian history of the Hamptons style. This could include combining simple lines with barn-style wood elements, such as shown in Gwyneth Paltrows house below.

3. Contrast a variety of natural textures, such as stone, brick and timber (such as the modern-rustic Hamptons beach house below)

THE HAMPTONS STYLE – ITS ALL ABOUT THE LOCATION

Originally built as holiday homes, the style of the classic Hamptons house focuses on hardwearing, low-maintenance beachside design. How can you incorporate the relaxed, beachside feel in your own project?

1. The house elevations should nestle into the landscape, and be in proportion to neighboring buildings.

2. Window reveals should add depth and texture to the elevations, creating light and shade. This can be achieved with rebated windows, external window shutters and window trims.

THE HAMPTONS STYLE – LIGHT AND BREEZY The beachside location of the Hamptons homes dictates open floor plans and large windows that exploit the views of the fields and the ocean. Thus, a defining feature of the Hamptons style is the light and airy feel of the interiors due to such large openings, French or bi-fold doors and floor-to-ceiling windows. How can you achieve this look in your Classic American-style Brisbane home?

1. Invest in large windows to allow daylight and breezes to penetrate through the rooms. Windows should be well positioned and well spaced. Consider installing roof lights to maximize the penetration of natural daylight into your space.

2. Add French or bi-fold doors to your rooms

3. Add floor-to-ceiling windows to bring the outside landscape and breezes indoors.

 

4. Verandahs and external spaces are a must. Emphasize the relaxed, indoor-outdoor lifestyle of the Hamptons with cosy and inviting outdoor entertaining areas.

THE HAMPTONS STYLE – EXTERNAL COLOUR SCHEMES

The external colour schemes of the Hampton homes are generally whites, neutrals and naturals, to reflect the bright and airy coastal setting. How can you reflect this colour scheme in your own project?

1. Select colours that are light and coastal – whites, neutral and natural colours are appropriate and will achieve the effortlessly-elegant look. In some instances, window and door trims may be featured with a contrasting colour.

Next month we will discuss how to achieve the ‘Hamptons look’ within the interior spaces of your project. In the meantime, if you would like further information on building your Hamptons-style dream home in Brisbane or general advice from an experienced luxury-home builder in Brisbane, please do not hesitate to contact the team at Build Prestige Homes.

Written by Anne Smerdon for Build Prestige Homes