Kathy Prounis’s Bridgehampton home presents immediate delight and intrigue with a vibrant red front door that sets the effervescent tone to what lies beyond.
Being a classic 1950s Cape Cod-style house, the execution of design was very much angled at honoring that time period and tailored style. Keeping it in the era when the house was built brings a nurtured and colorful zest that is not commonly preserved.
Black Jonathan Adler wallpaper covering the main living room was chosen by Prounis to disguise the mounted television. Curved shapes, attractive colors and dense materials grace the room that bounce appealingly off the dark-walled canvas. Not your typical “Hamptons” wall color but a choice that proudly achieves its risk in design. A vast amount of furniture was purchased from Mod Shop, which delivers on its promise of elevated style.
A work by local artist Grant Haffner catches the eye. Haffner has an interesting take on landscapes, stylishly featuring telephone poles and wires in a setting where the surrounds are stunning local roads. An interesting play on reinventing and stylizing something that may not be considered “beauty.” With a strong foundation of the arts scene out east, supporting local Hamptons artists helps preserve the region’s creative identity, strengthening a community where art continues to grow.
Prounis shared some insight on her background, saying: “I grew up on an industrial farm, where early experiences with hard work and creativity inspired me to pursue a degree in architectural design. My career began in San Diego, working on a variety of commercial projects before I moved to New York City to specialize in designing for financial firms and workplace environments. Beyond large-scale projects, I’ve also found success renovating and flipping properties, which allows me to balance creativity with strategic vision. Growing up on a farm taught me the importance of resourcefulness and sustainability, values I bring to every project. Bridgehampton, with its open fields and local farm stands, always reconnects me to my roots and feels like coming home.”
The kitchen displays a harmonious relationship of white with black fixtures throughout and Hunter Douglas shades carrying on the theme. As with most residences out east, the kitchen tells a tale of being well utilized and a resourceful melting pot of the house.
A room to savor is the home office, where Prounis did not hold back in her lime green wall color choice. Touches of safari-like features were a smart decision to elevate the room.
Blenko Glass pieces bring continuity of the house’s style and era and are displayed proudly throughout. Blenko is famous for turning molten magic into rainbow masterpieces fit to match Prounis’s eccentric design style. With a legacy of wild creativity and old-school craftsmanship, Blenko has become eternally special to collectors and anyone who thinks a vase should double as a conversation starter.
“What I love most about my Cape Cod house in Bridgehampton is that it’s truly a classic — it doesn’t get better than this,” Prounis said. “I bought it from its original owners and kept it right where it belonged, honoring its midcentury roots. Plus, the previous owners took the old Bridgehampton Sinclair gas station from across the field and moved it onto the property. I’ve honored that design too, and now it serves as a dining room, blending local history with the home’s timeless charm.”
Modest and enchanting from the street view, the depth to the property extends dramatically as the grounds keep unfolding where you inevitably reach the pool that has a surrounding sanctuary of an impressive collection of historic plants and trees. Set on just about an acre, it’s a hidden oasis that reveals itself once you step foot inside.
The former Sinclair gas station — which supplies a “wow” factor — is a three-bay garage. The first bay houses the polished yet relaxed dining room.
“What brought me here was wanting to escape the heat of the city and spend time at the beaches,” Prounis said of what lured her to the Hamptons. “There is nothing like those miles of ocean beaches. Bridgehampton truly offers a unique blend of rural charm, culinary delights, and vibrant equestrian culture. I love Bridgehampton for its wide open farm fields, fresh food from local farm stands, wine from Wölffer Estate, and the vibrant horse and polo scene. It’s the best of country living, with just-picked produce and the unique energy of the equestrian community.”
This house isn’t afraid to take bold, technicolor dares while mixing pops of citrusy glass, sensual curves, and unapologetic flair. It’s a love letter to 1950s style, where every room has a glimpse of vintage soul and a touch of modern mischief.