Hampton Designer Showhouse Launches Inaugural Duo Of Hamptons Showhouses

The allure of the Hampton Designer Showhouse interiors at the Gala Preview Cocktail Party, presented by Traditional Home Magazine to benefit the Southampton Hospital, was so strong, that given the choice between drinks and hors d’oeuvres or touring the rooms, the houses were full. Not to worry. Our glass of wine was waiting for us when we rejoined the large party on the lawn.

Mario Buatta was the Honorary Showhouse Chairman; Jamie Drake and Alexa Hampton, the Honorary Design Co-Chairmen.

“This year it’s the pleasure of having two houses, so it’s double the fun,” the ever effusive Jamie Drake explained. “What’s unique is that many of the rooms are not overwhelmingly big and it’s nice to see intimacy again. For the designers it’s probably a little less of a challenge to furnish a room that’s a bit smaller than some of the ones we’re typically accustomed to.”

We asked Drake, whose high profile clients have included Mayor Bloomberg, what caught his eye. “I am always surprised and delighted to find people I don’t know and new suppliers,” he continued. “Ciuffo Cabinetry has done a spectacular job on the kitchen and all the bath vanities and it’s somebody I think I will use.”

Oscar Mandes, Melanie Wambold, and Southampton Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Chaloner. (Photo: Jared Siskin/PMC)

“There’s definitely a lot of color here,” he said of the overall look. “If you see Eddie Ross’ master bedroom and Lillian August’s living room, there is a lot of vibrancy.”

But, can we ever leave grey and white? I wondered out loud.

“I think we might,” Drake responded. “It might not be an embrace of color again because we just had that, with all the citrus tones ten years ago. Maybe it’s time to start seeing – not that I’m seeing it in this house – beige and brown again. That’s my prognostication!”

Thirty A-list interior designers and decorative artists participated: Anne Tarasoff Interiors, Apartment 48, Art Works & Designs, Inc., Ashbourne, Baltimore Design Group, Brady Design, Ciuffo Cabinetry, Davin Interiors, East End Home Co., Eddie Ross for The Mine, English Country Home, Eva Art & Design, Inc., Grayson De Vere , Greg McKenzie Design, Gregory Shano Interiors for East Hampton Gardens, Jean Liu Design, LLC, Ken Gemes Interiors, Kim E. Courtney Interiors, Libby Langdon Interiors, Lillian August Furnishings + Designs, Lisa Mende Design, M. Frederick Design, Mabley Handler Interior Design, Mancaves, Melanie Roy Design, Michael Del Piero Good Design, Old Town Crossing Interior Design, Rajni Alex Design, Sea Green Designs, Vintage Interior Design, Inc. and Wolf Interior Designs.

The Southampton homes are located at 78 Rosko Lane and 82 Rosko Lane. (Photo: Jared Siskin/PMC)

Paramount Custom Homes donated the two Southampton homes on 78 Rosko Lane and 82 Rosko Lane. Deluxe provided the Showhouse Boutiques. Saunders & Associates is the 2017 Exclusive Real Estate Sponsor, Hamptons Purist is the 2017 Regional Magazine Sponsor, and Kohler Co. is the 2017 Design Sponsor.

Other sponsors were: Circa Lighting, Crossville Tile, Garnet Hill, Hunter Douglas, Lillian August Furnishings + Design, The Mine, Silestone by Cosentino, Stanton Carpet, Thibaut and Woodard.

The houses will be open through Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit hamptondesignershowhouse.com.