At Home With Hilary Thayer Hamann

French doors open to a rose garden in Hilary Thayer Hamann’s circa 1840 Sag Harbor Village home that she shares with her partner, Silas Marder. A light breeze blows fragrance into the room where the author writes. Her desk is strategically placed to catch the wind, the fragrance and the view.

In addition to the joys of home, Ms. Hamann has much to be grateful for. Last month, Random House released the paperback of her first novel, “Anthropology of an American Girl.” She has adapted that book into a screenplay and is now working on her second novel. Additionally, the busy writer, and mother of three, is contemplating a new play and has a third novel in her mind’s eye.

For a recent interview, Ms. Hamann answered the kitchen door wearing a neat white T-shirt with little peace signs floating all over it, jeans and green espadrilles. Her rather large “puppy” strained to check out the latest houseguest.

Entering the warm and inviting kitchen, one first notices white marble topped wooden cabinets painted vanilla. Ms. Hamann’s father, a retired carpenter, matched the new cabinets to the original kitchen and the result is as creamy and delicious as an ice cream cone on a hot summer day. Large, thin, slate-colored tiles are cool against a white farmhouse sink.

Ms. Hamann’s home is a writer’s dream. It seems there is a desk or table and chair at

every turn, as well as shelves stacked with rare books and endless garden views. She said she is considering a glassed-in room off the kitchen as her next writing space. For now, a dark, wooden antique table stands alone.

The integrity of the original architecture of the house has been preserved, within means. Gray plaster walls in the foyer were chosen strictly for low maintenance, she said.

“I can’t imagine having to re-paint every other year,” Ms. Hamann said. Apricot paint was added to some walls for a sunny South of France feel. Olive, eggshell and colonial blues are used to create a soft palette.

And throughout the house, artwork by Mr. Marder’s brother, Mica Marder, hangs on the walls. His simple designs of nature complement the rooms.

As for the details, Ms. Hamann kept the aesthetically pleasing old radiators for heat, added claw-foot tubs and more porcelain sinks to the bathrooms. She also re-purposed old beams to create moldings and other architectural accents throughout her home.

There is no clutter anywhere. Ms. Hamann’s current office shows no sign of the messiness usually associated with a writer’s den. It is, however, equipped with an assistant’s work desk.

The writer, who self-published “Anthropology” originally, credits the use of interns in having helped her methodically place the first edition of “Anthropology,” which is set largely in East Hampton, into the hands of reviewers, booksellers and other media. It worked. By the time she decided to approach commercial publishers and agents, Ms. Hamann said she was able “to craft a pretty package.” Within a week, Random House called, as did the William Morris agency. The second printing of the first edition of the book was published last year.

“Anthropology,” which began as passages of poetry and other shorter pieces, took an unusual journey. Because of her family’s line of work (they owned Vernacular Press), Ms. Hamann was able to craft her book exactly the way she wanted it when she published in 2003, she said.

The main character is complicated but not too fussy. In the book, the author used her protagonist, Eveline, to demonstrate how a young woman coming of age in the late 1970s and early 1980s could go from having an “incredible power” in her youth to giving up her freedom in early adulthood.

“We begin to sell out, to keep our mouths shut,” Ms. Hamann said. “Women need to be more vocal.”

In the end however, the main character comes to understand the ethical problems that come with compromising, according to the author.

“Evie becomes whole by the end of the book,” she explained.

The author tried to sum up the reason for the success of this coming-of-age story.

“I tried to avoid stereotypes. The characters are given room to breathe,” she said. “The entire nature of the book is getting to know the nuances of the characters.”

As for Ms. Hamann, she is now spending the summer getting to know the nuances of the characters of the book she is currently working on. Her inviting home in Sag Harbor is just the place to provide the perfect food for thought.