Inspired by the holiday homes of well-to-do New Yorkers, Hamptons-style homes have effortlessly embedded themselves in Australian culture.
Their emphasis on indoor-outdoor living, alfresco entertainment and classic coastal style suits many Australians, who want to make the most of the country’s hot summers and beautiful beaches.
But where did the Hamptons home originate and how has it come to be such a popular design choice for Australians? Here, we take a look at the history of the Hamptons home.
The origins: Long Island, New York City
If you’re wondering where or what the Hamptons actually are, you’re not alone. While any New Yorker would be able to tell you, their origins are a little less clear for many Australians.
The Hamptons are in fact made up of a small group of towns, villages and hamlets on the eastern end of Long Island in New York. The area’s proximity to the Big Apple’s core (it takes roughly two hours to get there by car from the city centre) led it to become a popular holiday bolthole for weary New Yorkers.
A concentration of high-end amenities, beautifully secluded beaches and private homes hidden behind towering hedgerows means the Hamptons lend themselves perfectly to sheltering New York’s elite and celebrities seeking a quiet reprieve.
A-list guests are not uncommon here, with actor Alec Baldwin and talk-show host Jimmy Fallon among the US stars who love to holiday in the Hamptons.
The area’s beachy setting inspired coastal homes with a nautical flair and a penchant for breezy outdoor entertaining. Vast verandahs, a colour palette of coastal blues and white, Shaker-style kitchen cabinets and elegant swimming pools became must-haves for anyone with a holiday home in the area – and thus the classic Hamptons style was born.
Adopted by Australia
Made with hard-wearing materials suited to the seaside and big on indoor-outdoor living, Hamptons homes soon caught the attention of Australia’s property market.
It didn’t take long for the style to grow in popularity, as Australians realised Hamptons-style homes fitted in perfectly with a country that prioritises a laidback, outdoorsy lifestyle.
While some have fully embraced the Hamptons style and created stunning replicas of New York holiday homes, others have introduced more subtle elements such as nautical colour palettes and sweeping verandahs. It’s a style that can inspire your home in countless ways, as much or as little as you like.
Classic homes with longevity
One of the greatest appeals of a Hamptons-style home is that it never goes out of fashion. Clean and modern, with a focus on elegant simplicity, Hamptons homes are the definition of understated luxury.
Keep things simple with a neutral colour palette of blues, greys and white and the use of natural materials, from timber decking to stone floors or marble countertops in the kitchen.
A Hamptons-style home is all about entertaining, so focus your attention on breezy alfresco dining areas and touches like sliding glass doors that connect indoors with the outdoors.
When you build a Hamptons-style home, you’re choosing a home that lasts a lifetime.
To discuss creating your own Hamptons-style home, get in touch with the experts at Hampton Homes Australia today.
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