Glass-roofed houses are supplanting shingled cottages, and interiors are following suit. Just ask New York designer Alexander M. Reid, whose crisp, modern aesthetic has transformed homes from Manhattan to the Hamptons to Hollywood.
“A lot of the old, beautiful homes are moving away from a more stuffy, traditional style, keeping the antiques, but wiping away a lot of the clutter to make it more serene,” Reid says. He shared with us the five biggest Hamptons design trends he’s seeing this summer.
A minimalist living room in the home at 38 Bay View Ave. in East Hampton, now asking $1,240,000.
1. Minimalism
The beachy look that once dominated Hamptons interiors has given way to a much more lighthearted, minimalist look. “It’s about going back to the basics now, and juxtaposing modern and traditional design elements,” Reid explains. “Sparse and easy-breezy, lots of white linens and not a lot of color.”
The pool deck at 138 Laurel Drive in Montauk, now asking $2,150,000.
2. Pool Decks
The flagstone pool surround with grass is a Hamptons signature, and while that style remains evergreen, another, more retro look is popping up everywhere, too: the pool deck. “I love a pool deck, like people used to do in the ’80s and ’90s,” Reid says. “They’re fun and easy to entertain around.” What could be more relaxing than sipping a cocktail on this gorgeous pool deck in Montauk?
A kitchen with rustic elements at 44 Little Plains Road in Southampton, now asking $2,800,000.
3. Rustic Kitchens
Where monolithic white kitchens were once ubiquitous, kitchens are now trending more toward the rustic. “People are doing away with a lot of the large cabinetry and bringing in natural wood tones with exposed shelving,” says Reid, who also notes an upswing in more graphic designs and patterns. An antique butcher block island brings a warm, weathered appeal to this cozy kitchen in Southampton.
4. Painted Floors
Paint has the power to transform many surfaces, including wood, linoleum and concrete, making it a cost-effective way to update flooring. “I’m seeing lots more painted floors, which I love, mostly in kitchens and entryways,” Reid says. By using this technique on high-traffic areas, the paint takes on a more artfully distressed look.
Mid-century modern design at 16 Glover St. in Sag Harbor, now asking $3,095,000.
5. Mid-century Style
Mid-century is finally having its moment in the Hamptons — warm woods, organic shapes and an uncluttered atmosphere, as seen in the breakfast alcove of this Sag Harbor home. “People used to steer clear of mid-century for their vacation homes because they thought it had a more city vibe, but now that’s changing,” Reid says.
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