The Archetypal Spec House

A longtime client called over the winter and asked for my help in finding a home to purchase in Southampton Village. We have enjoyed a long history of projects together in various parts of the country. Some were new construction and others renovations, but this time she was looking for something more turnkey, without the delay of design and construction.Thus I set out to see what might be suitable both in size and location, with the caveat that whatever I found needed to be within walking distance of the village proper. The list quickly narrowed to a handful of potential candidates, which opened my eyes to the current trends in developer homes. I rarely have the opportunity to tour spec houses, so this was an education of sorts. I was surprised to find, regardless of developer, that these homes all follow a carefully defined script of rooms and finish options with very little variation.

Not surprising, however, the entry hall and the associated grand staircase to the second floor are prominent design features. A great deal of detail and floor area is devoted to making this “first impression” memorable with gleaming white woodwork offset against dark stained wood flooring.

Next, the living room is nowhere to be found, in lieu of a combination kitchen, great room, and casual dining area all arrayed together facing the rear yard and pool. While not a new trend per se, it was a clear reinforcement that formal living rooms are on life support even in the rarified confines of Southampton Village. Perfectly appointed kitchens, in white, with stainless steel appliances of the highest order and a massive island anchored one end, while a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace with TV inset anchored the opposite wall.

There was, unexpectedly, both formal dining rooms, and a library/study (sans shelving) space featured in all the homes I toured. The libraries included closets and adjacent full baths, which indicated to this writer that a downstairs bedroom was the actual intention regardless of the labeling for permit applications.

Four bedrooms upstairs was the norm, with the master suite commanding the lion’s share of the views and square footage. The master bath resembled more of a high-end plumbing showroom with every conceivable faucet, body spray and shower head configuration imaginable. The ubiquitous free-standing soaking tub in the center of the room was also a standard feature.

Stone selection was muted so not to offend a potential owner, and Carrara marble was the builder’s choice throughout, including in the kitchen.

One item of concern, however, was furniture placement in the guest bedrooms and library spaces. With an entry door, closet doors, bath door and a plethora of windows, it was difficult to determine where the beds were intended to go, and what size might be applicable. A furniture plan should always accompany any and all floor plans for potential buyers in order to see what their options are, particularly if twin- or king-size beds are the goal.

At every initial design presentation, I show a furniture layout as conceived at the outset so there is no confusion later as to where the beds go, how many can sit at table, and what configuration the seating might take in front of that massive fireplace and TV—which more times than not trumps the view as to the room’s focal point!

An upstairs laundry with copious linen storage rounded out the second-floor amenity spaces.

The biggest surprise to me, however, was found in the basement, if one can, with a straight face, continue to call this subterranean area long ignored and rarely finished, a basement. It’s just a matter of time before a new term is devised to define this new paradigm of habitable space.

There has been much discussion in recent years over the changing face of village character be it in Southampton, Sag Harbor, Sagaponack or East Hampton. Much of this discussion has rightly centered on the tearing down of modestly sized homes, some with historic pedigrees, on modestly sized lots, and replacing them with residences which maximize the available building footprint, height, and pyramid setback envelopes. These are more often than not spec houses, and just as often rarely speak to the character of the neighborhood in which they uncomfortably reside.

However, little attention has been paid to what cannot be seen, but is allowed by code, the basement. As long as proper egress is provided, a basement, unless in a flood zone, can be fully finished as habitable space, and with the exception of cooking can practically operate as a separate residence entirely. This approach increases the habitable space of a residence by a third.

What I discovered on my tour of available homes was a bit shocking. First, the stair down from the first floor was an extension of the grand stair up to the second floor, open and flowing and of the same materials for a seamless transition. Not unusual for a custom home, but surprising here until one descended. Second, the ceilings were very high, 10 feet or more in the homes I toured, to provide a feeling of space and dare I say grandeur. Flooring materials employed either stone pavers or a recent innovation in ceramic materials which for all the world looks like a reclaimed wood floor from a French chateau. Recessed lighting, echoing that found upstairs, was the norm.

Anchoring the downstairs was another great or game room with another towering stone fireplace, with plenty of room for billiards or pingpong (Bunny Bixler would just love it).

Also prominent is the inclusion of glass-fronted wine cellars, which could hold literally thousands of wine bottles in opulent surroundings. I have installed wine cellars in many homes, but nothing approaching the scope of these installations.

Another space applicable to a screening room replete with speakers, large video screen and ample room for seating was also provided.

Lastly, the basement had two additional bedrooms with individual baths, and a large multi-unit laundry facility. The bedrooms were ideally suited to staff rooms and/or teenager overflow, with glass patio doors leading to a large open-air areaway with stairs to grade for egress (or discreet entry without access from the first floor).

Accessory buildings typically included a detached garage, a fully turned out pool house with a miniature version of the main house kitchen without cooking (but with a large stainless steel gas grille at the ready), and pool.

And my client’s takeaway from all this? She was really not enamored with being locked into such a vanilla environment with little or no room for individual taste without significant changes, as well as the aforementioned concern over furniture options, particularly in the bedrooms. The basement’s grandeur was completely lost on her with the lone exception of the double laundry facility. My takeaway was much the same, although I’m sure for the right buyer with 200 cases of wine it would be an ideal home.

Next time, #HAMPTURBIA.

(Best to brace yourselves.)