House Hunting With Hampton Designer Showhouse

Selecting the ideal home to showcase the vision and talent of dozens of designers is a unique challenge. There are many logistics to consider, but the key ingredient is having multiple spaces in which to design, both indoor and out. About 25 to 30 to be exact. What does that mean in terms of house size? Usually about 10,000 square feet and up.

“You want to have a variety of things for people to look at,” said Tony Manning, president of Hampton Designer Showhouse Foundation. In addition, “Outdoor is so much a part of the Hamptons experience.” Every space is an opportunity for creativity—the pool area and pool house, or a porch off a library, for example. Not to mention the bedrooms, bathrooms and common living areas.

Entering its 15th year, the Hampton Designer Showhouse is on the hunt for a new home for its July showcase. The multi-day event raises thousands of dollars for Southampton Hospital and attracts between 7,000 to 8,000 people each year.

The chosen homes once erred on the more traditional side. In fact, for its first two years, the event was held at the Villa Maria, a historic mansion built in Water Mill in the 1800s. From there, it hopped between homes both classic and modern. “It’s really about what types of houses we’re able to work with,” said Mr. Manning. These days, the trend is leaning toward the familiar Hamptons shingle-style that is present in new construction.

Once selected, designers are invited to explore the home and property and a room selection takes place. These makeshift laboratories reflect the designers’ different points of view and responses to a space. In addition, the home’s location, its lighting, and its views all contribute to the final product. Installation takes roughly five to six weeks.

Many designers have already signed on to participate this year, although Mr. Manning demurred in revealing who. A house has not yet been selected, but, “We have some very nice leads and hopefully something’s coming into fruition,” he said.

The showhouse is expected to open on July 25.