The epitome of summertime chic, the Hamptons conjures up images of sunshine, sand, surf, and effortlessly elegant retreats. But when Emily Del Bello was contracted to design a Bridgehampton beach house, it took one meeting with the husband and wife to know this seasonal Hamptons home would be anything but typical.
“They’re both cultured and have impeccable taste,” explains Del Bello, “and she is unbelievably fashionable, which gave her a natural inclination to let us push the boundaries and curate furniture that you just don’t see every day.” One shopping trip and a design presentation later, Del Bello was essentially given free rein with just two requirements: the furnishings had to be durable enough to withstand the kids and their friends, and the wife wanted a classic blue-and-white color palette in the main bedroom. The designer was happy to oblige – she and her team scoured the globe for unique finds, bringing in one-of-a-kind and vintage furnishings from Paris and London.
The visual odyssey starts at the entrance – a double-height ceiling painted a bright white stuns before drawing the eyes to a sculptural Avenue Road console under a shapely, vintage mirror from Paris. The space transitions into a light and airy, beach-happy family room that opens up to the pool. Custom designs, such as a beautifully tailored sofa upholstered in an outdoor fabric from Holly Hunt and a striking marble coffee table with blue-toned swirls that recall the ocean, offer a distinct, nuanced appeal. Despite its elevated charm, the room was designed to encourage a relaxed lifestyle. “The kids can literally throw themselves up on the sofa and put their feet up on the coffee table,” she says. The kitchen also exudes an elegant, coastal allure with a cosmopolitan flair. A striking brushed oak breakfast table designed by architectural firm Yabu Pushelberg for Avenue Road is paired with brilliant white wicker chairs upholstered in a classic striped Schumacher fabric. Braided jute lights over the table provide the room’s functional jewelry, and the application of the coarse fibers in a refined manner is echoed in the jute-wrapped pendant lights over the island—enhancing the beachy vibe.
The living room presents as more formal yet is equally inviting. “We created a circular seating area that feels welcoming and encourages conversation to flow,” she says. The rug’s raised silk pile creates a sense of movement evocative of water. A conversation-starting coffee table from Cassina and Hans Wegner’s enduring Circle chair complement the curvilinear sofa. A gorgeous lime wash finish by Heather Jozak adorns the walls– adding texture and perfectly playing off the sofa’s shimmery Pierre Frey fabric. The mirrors, by Brazilian artist Tomas Graeff, were a serendipitous Instagram discovery. “They’re made of driftwood the artist finds on the beach that he then bends and sculpts to his liking – they’re so special and have this immense scale to them,” explains Del Bello.
The home’s singular aesthetic is continued in both the dining room and the husband’s study. In the former, a hand-painted, three-dimensional botanical wallpaper imported from London adds whimsy, while a dazzling dining table Del Bello custom-designed from slabs of Arabescato Vagli stone with similar purple tones adds a bit of drama and anchors the room. The latter, meanwhile, employs darker tones and various textures for a more masculine feel. A tactile Phillip Jeffries wallcovering, vintage chairs upholstered in a quietly luxe Holland & Sherry fabric, and alabaster and leather pendant lights create a handsome yet cozy ambiance.
The home’s private rooms are equally memorable – the main bedroom was fully outfitted in an exquisitely-crafted, custom blue-and-white floral mural sprinkled with colorful butterflies– fulfilling a childhood dream for the wife. “We curated spaces that were different and globally inspired yet still felt fresh and calming,” says Del Bello. “You really feel that you’re by the beach in this home but you also feel the family’s love for each other.”
Photography by Gieves Anderson.
Styling by Martin R. Bourne.
For more like this Hamptons home, be sure to check out this charming getaway.
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