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Hamptons.com
November 6, 2014

Investing In Your Hamptons Landscape: Top Five Backyard Improvements To Increase The Value Of Your Home

Chris Hallby Chris Hall
in Real Estate
Home Real Estate

How much is enough? How much is too much?

Homeowners in the Hamptons often have to decide between the practical, the impractical, and the over-the-top. The type of over-the-top pampering that most people dream of is available in your own backyard. And, you don’t have to feel the least bit guilty about it; because, quite often, major improvements to your landscape can be highly practical.

Outdoor kitchens can be both fun and practical. (Photo: CP Complete, Stacy Wickham Photography)


1. Custom Gunite Pool: The number one improvement for return on your investment (that will also offer years of enjoyment) is a luxury gunite swimming pool and spa. Most real estate brokers will confirm that either building a heated gunite pool or replacing your existing vinyl pool with gunite adds great value to your home. We recently helped a client in Sagaponack receive an incredible return on his investment within one summer. The construction of a new gunite pool with a patio and an outdoor kitchen allowed an increase in rental income for the summer that equaled the cost of the project.

The second best return on investment can be attained by increasing your livable space. (Photo: CP Complete, Stacy Wickham Photography)


2. Custom Pergala: The second best return on investment can be attained by increasing your livable space. A custom pergola substantially increases outdoor living space and accentuates a pool area. It can add to your comfort as you soak in a late August sunset and also add to the calm of your own piece of paradise. Pergolas can be simple or quite elaborate. The dimensions, the lighting, and the overall aesthetics can change the entire look and feel of your backyard. It can also add to the value of your home well beyond the cost of the project.

Outdoor kitchens can be both fun and practical. (Photo: CP Complete, Stacy Wickham Photography)


3. Outdoor Kitchen: Outdoor kitchens can be both fun and practical. Gone for many are the days of firing up the Weber grill and calling the kids to come over for a burger. The accoutrements of an outdoor kitchen are far reaching. Hot and cold running water, an ice machine, a Viking or DCS or Wolf grill, a marble counter top, custom stone work throughout, and electrical outlets; all allow for a more pleasurable (and contained) cooking experience. And, the best news, the investment of a high end outdoor kitchen with reward you for years to come.

For a more modest investment, a simple outdoor shower can make life far more pleasant. (Photo: CP Complete, Stacy Wickham Photography)

4. Pool House: If you have room for a legally permitted pool house, you are among the most fortunate few of Hamptons residents. Even a modest pool house is likely to be fairly elaborate. A sitting or sleeping area, a bathroom/shower room, an indoor kitchen, a place to warm up (or cool down), and possibly an area for some private time out of the sun while others enjoy the pool are just some of the conveniences that a pool house provides. Many already have a pre-existing non conforming building (such as a garage, shed, or other ancillary building) on your property and could consider converting it into a pool house. Adding an additional space or renovating a dwelling that is already on your property truly maximizes the value of what is permitted by law by the local towns and villages.

5. Outdoor Shower: For a more modest investment, a simple outdoor shower can make life more pleasant, especially after a day at Main Beach in East Hampton. A well conceived plan will allow the shower area to blend into your home and add to the backyard area. Form, function, and a valuable addition to your summer retreat are all easily obtainable for relatively minor investment.

Quite honestly, the single most important improvement you can make to your backyard is you, your family, and your friends. Too many homes in the Hamptons go unused for too many days. The late great Warren Zevon said, “We buy books because we believe we’re buying the time to read them.” Don’t let that be true of your pools, pergolas, and outdoor kitchens. Enjoy every sandwich and every day in the Hamptons with the people you love.

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LOCAL EVENTS

Events

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Rhone to Join Tanger Outlets Deer Park This Summer Pop-Up

August 22 @ 10:00 AM - August 22 @ 09:00 PM
Tanger Outlets Deer Park
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Hayden James At The Surf Lodge

August 22 @ 04:00 PM - August 22 @ 11:00 PM
The Surf Lodge 183 Edgemere St, Montauk, NY 11954
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Social Hour During Aperitivo At The Baker House

August 22 @ 05:00 PM - August 22 @ 08:00 PM
181 Main St, East Hampton, NY 11937
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Light, Sand, and Sea: Hamptons Artists and Their Studios with Coco Myers and Jaime Lopez

August 22 @ 05:00 PM - August 22 @ 06:00 PM
The Nathaniel Rogers House, 2539 Montauk Highway Bridgehampton, NY 11932
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The Church Presents INDA EATON – “IndAmerica”

August 22 @ 06:00 PM - August 22 @ 07:30 PM
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“Tracks,” “The Blue Room,” And “Pride” Featured In WHBPAC’s Finest In World Cinema Series

"Tracks," "The Blue Room," And "Pride" Featured In WHBPAC's Finest In World Cinema Series

  • The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation held its “Sweet 16th” Unconditional Love Gala, a premier Hamptons event celebrating compassion, community, and animal welfare at a private estate in Bridgehampton. The Unconditional Love Gala is SASF’s largest fundraiser of the year, with proceeds directly supporting the shelter’s mission to provide care, rehabilitation, and forever homes for homeless animals. ⁠
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Check out the full gallery at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#animalshelter ⁠
#fundraiser #hamptons #southampton
  • Make sure you check out the sunset music series before the end of August. For more info on dates and times check out the Wölffer website.

#sumsetmusic #winestand #wölffer #rosé
  • Hilary Matt Interiors is a residential design firm started and located in New York City with projects spanning across the country, including in the Hamptons and East End.⁠
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Hilary, principal and founder, is known for a bold aesthetic that is comfortable and livable. She always keeps her clients at the forefront so they can express themselves as individuals through their spaces. After starting out in the fashion industry, Hilary felt a call to interior design where she has been bringing her unique approach and style to every space as the brand continues to grow.⁠
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Hilary spoke more about her background, how each HMI project differs from one another, and why the Hamptons is such a special place to her. She also shared her top 5 interior design tips as inspiration.⁠
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Can you discuss your background and how you got started with interior design?⁠
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HM: I studied business and apparel merchandising. After graduating, my first job was at a women’s contemporary showroom in NYC. I had always loved fashion and wanted to be in the industry. After a year, I realized it wasn’t quite what I expected. I had always been interested in interior design, so I took a leap of faith and accepted a job as an assistant to an interior designer. I was initially nervous to leave fashion, but I figured I could always return. I ended up loving it and worked with her for eight years, learning the ins and outs of the business. I also took classes on weekends and evenings to learn computer programs, scaling, and other essential skills. After leaving that position and having my first son, I started my own company, which has snowballed into what we are today.⁠
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Read the full interview at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#hilarymatt ⁠
#hilarymattinteriors ⁠
#hamptons ⁠
#interiordesigner⁠
#hamptons lifestyle⁠
#interiorstyling⁠
#design
  • Comedian Des Bishop took the stage at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center this week and delivered laugh after laugh. A native New Yorker, Des moved to Ireland in his teenage years, which ultimately inspired his start in comedy and a successful career that has spanned three decades.⁠
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His comedy is full of observational humor and nostalgia, whether it be about his many cross-cultural experiences, an ever-changing societal landscape, and his own personal stories growing up. Des brings energy and a unique perspective to every show, evident at his Westhampton show, the place he has spent all his summers since the 90s.⁠
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Des spoke more about his background, how his experiences have shaped his approach to comedy, his connection with the East End, and his WHBPAC show.⁠
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you first got into comedy?⁠
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DB: Well, my background is a little complicated, but the quick version is I grew up in Queens, flunked out of St. Francis Prep at 14, and ended up going to Ireland to boarding school in 1990. It was a crazy, life-changing experience, but it definitely saved my education and ultimately inspired a comedy career that in the early days focused a lot on being an outsider looking in. It’s hard to know if I ever would have tried stand-up if I hadn’t been in Ireland. I got sober at 19 and it was a comedian I knew from that world that pushed me to try stand up. Once I got on stage that was all she wrote. I was addicted.⁠
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Read the full interview at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#desbishop #comedy #westhampton #whbpac
  • Amber Waves farm just held their annual Hoedown fundraiser. The event featured cowgirl cocktails and local bites. Guests had a chance to meet the farmers and participate in a best dressed competition.

@amberwavesfarm 
#Montaukila #montaukbrewing #titos #springsbrewery
  • Check out the Top Hamptons Events This Weekend!⁠
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✨ Amber Waves’ Fourth Annual Hoedown Fundraiser⁠
📅 Fri, Aug 15 | 5:30–8 PM⁠
📍 367 Main St, Amagansett⁠
Kick up your boots for live music, line dancing & local fare — all to support feeding the community & educating future farmers.⁠
Link in bio⁠
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🎶 Klingande at The Surf Lodge⁠
📅 Fri, Aug 15 | 4 PM⁠
📍 183 Edgemere St, Montauk⁠
French DJ Klingande brings the vibes for a summer Friday.⁠
Link in bio⁠
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😂 Tig Notaro at WHBPAC⁠
📅 Sun, Aug 17 | 8 PM⁠
📍 76 Main St, Westhampton Beach⁠
Catch Emmy & Grammy-nominated comedian Tig Notaro live.⁠
Link in bio⁠
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🧵 Pop-Up Embroidery Class⁠
📅 Sat, Aug 16 | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM & 4:30–6:30 PM⁠
📍 Sunshine, 98 Newtown Ln, East Hampton⁠
Join The NY Sewing Center for a fun embroidery workshop.⁠
Link in bio⁠
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🐾 ARF’s Bow Wow Meow Ball⁠
📅 Sat, Aug 16 | 6:30–10:30 PM⁠
📍 124 Daniel Hole Rd, East Hampton⁠
Dinner & dancing to support ARF’s cats & dogs.⁠
Link in bio⁠
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📚 Fridays at Five: Tim Weiner⁠
📅 Fri, Aug 15 | 5 PM⁠
📍 2478 Main St, Bridgehampton⁠
Dive into The Mission: The CIA in the 21st Century.⁠
Link in bio⁠
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🏃‍♀️ 30th Annual Ellen’s Run⁠
📅 Sun, Aug 17 | 9 AM⁠
📍 70 Leland Ln, Southampton⁠
Run to celebrate survivors & support breast cancer programs.⁠
Link in bio⁠
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🌊 S-Mile Swim Challenge⁠
📅 Sat, Aug 16 | 8–10 AM⁠
📍 Coopers Beach, Southampton⁠
Swim to support lifeguard training & ocean safety.⁠
Link in bio⁠
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🎨 Artsi’s 15th Annual Open Studios⁠
📅 Sat–Sun, Aug 16–17 | 12–5 PM⁠
📍 Shelter Island⁠
Tour artists’ studios & connect with the creative community.⁠
Link in bio⁠
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🛍 28th Annual Hamptons Warehouse Sale⁠
📅 Now–Sun, Aug 24 | 9 AM–5:45 PM⁠
📍 East Hampton American Legion Post 419⁠
13,000+ shoes, boots, accessories & more!⁠
Link in bio⁠
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Check out more events at Hamptons.com ⁠
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#hamptons #amberwaves #weekend #amagansett
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