Five Unique Hamptons Abodes On Display During East Hampton Historical Society’s Annual House & Garden Tour

This is your chance to tour the greatest historical and modern homes of East Hampton. The East Hampton Historical Society will host its highly anticipated 2019 House & Garden Tour on Saturday, November 30 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. A kickoff Cocktail Party will be held on Friday, November 29 at the Maidstone Club, ringing in the East End holiday season in style!

The East Hampton Historical Society’s House Tour Committee has creatively selected five houses that best express the unique spirit of living on the East End. The tour includes a one-time-only glimpse inside some of the town’s most storied residences. Homes range in style from classic, charming shingled cottages to well-appointed homes South-of-the-Highway. This year’s tour offers a wide range of houses.v

“The House & Garden Tour is one of our most important fund-raisers,” said the event chairman Joseph Aversano. “This year’s tour is a visual feast of stylish houses. So, while you’re breathing in the sea air and enjoying the varied terrains and architectural styles, your dollars will support the East Hampton Historical Society’s museums and programs,” he said.

The Federal-Style House by the Bay. (Courtesy Photo)

House #1: This unique Hamptons beach house was designed by famed architect Robert A.M. Stern (Mercer House, circa 1973 – 1975), who revived The Shingle Style, a distinctive vernacular which once again dominates Eastern Long Island. Robert A.M. Stern created the perfect balance of traditional design coupled with a modern vision in this seaside estate. Take in the views and smell the salt air from a multitude of well-appointed spaces in this sprawling modern masterpiece.

House #2: This home is located on the coveted David’s Lane in East Hampton Village and South-of-the-Highway. It pays homage to history and local lure. Inspired by the cluster of inns that dot East Hampton’s Main Street, the homeowners created a warm and inviting retreat, with ample intimate spaces, comfy common areas and stylish outdoor “rooms”.  With a playful nod to a bygone era, the homeowners affectionately named their house “Dowager Inn” – equipped with all the elements for spirited entertaining, including a series of banquettes known as “The Gossip Pit”, a Gentlemen’s Bar, and boutique hotel inspired guest rooms.  If walls could talk, “Dowager Inn” surely has stories to tell!

House #3: This home will give you unparalleled views of Napeague Bay and you certainly won’t be able to ignore the modern architecture that draws upon archetypical East End forms. The concept of the house is four barns. The original section, which is the living/dining and kitchen, is modeled after the De Menil Barn that was donated to the Town of East Hampton and is now the Clerk’s Office. The master barn and guest barn are connected to the main living area by glass halls. The garage barn is free-standing.  All materials are natural, oak, grey limestone, and raw dark concrete. Recognizing the importance of the scenic dune, all landscaping is seamlessly integrated. Dramatic sculptures greet you at the entry and invite you to explore this modern take on the iconic East End barn.

This unique Hamptons beach house was designed by famed architect Robert A.M. Stern. (Courtesy Photo)

House #4: Known for his European inspired style, Marshall Watson creates interiors that are rich in texture, detail, and simple luxuries – which are prevalent in his Federal-style house by the bay. Founder of Marshall Watson Interiors, Mr. Watson suffuses his work in a subtle blend of transatlantic and American design philosophies. His work is noted for its “calm and lightness of being”. Classic is his hallmark. This is the perfect opportunity to see how a nationally recognized designer designs for himself.

House #5: “Millhouse” plays on the shape of the simple shingled potato barn — an enduring East End vernacular — to create a minimalist retreat located in the heart of the East Hampton Village. The homeowners found a gem hidden in the overgrown brush.  They were drawn to the history of the house. The original house was a 2-building cottage shipped to the site from Montauk that, in its day, functioned as Army barracks. They added a modern addition, a great room that serves as the centerpiece of the residence.  Expansive, dramatic, and light-filled, the contemporary intervention, juxtaposed against the historical elements, resulted in a modern take on a classic Hamptons potato barn.

Tickets to the Opening Night Cocktail Party are $200 each, which includes entry to the House Tour the following day. Tickets to the self-guided 2019 East Hampton House & Garden Tour are $65 in advance and $75 on the day of the tour.

To purchase tickets, visit easthamptonhistory.org/events.