Styling The Hamptons Home

Interior design is often foremost focused on elements that are either the most permanent or largest in scale: finishes, fixtures, furniture, and so on. Especially when any kind of new construction or renovation is involved, the last thing one wants to do upon move-in is then hunt for dozens if not hundreds of individual, smaller objects and textiles to represent one’s personal tastes. But a truly complete interior is also carefully considered in its accessorizing—or, as it is often known in the editorial world—styling.

While this, of course, applies for year-round residences, it is particularly challenging for a seasonal or weekend home, and can be a daunting task, especially when time is limited. On one hand, if one is to conduct a short term shopping spree to fill every surface with objects and sofa with pillows, it can easily create a contrived and clinical finished product. (Or, worse: a “theme.”) On the other hand, if the process is drawn out and collected one piece at a time—which is frequently cited as the preferred, romantic strategy—it can easily take months if not years to arrive at the finishing touch. The home will likely remain soulless for a period of time and not fully enjoyed until some later date.

For this reason, it’s often prudent to practice a careful balance. While bigger decisions such as those relating to finishes and furniture are being made, feel free to collect an arsenal of complementary items of varying scale and age without necessarily knowing their final position yet. One need not storm the doors of the countless East End antique shops to do this for all of said accessories either, as there are often items in one’s possession already that can have a new life breathed into them when positioned in a new space.

Once the space or home is completed, one will have a clear picture of certain gaps to fill, and then confidently discover items either intentionally or unintentionally to bring home and enjoy. This can actually be the part of the interior design process that’s most fun for some. But in the meantime, a space can still be enjoyed as a personal sanctuary, and not an unfinished showroom.

When it comes to selecting accessories, it’s generally best to ensure cohesion on a room-by-room basis, without making it feel too planned. If selecting blue throw pillows, consider blue tones in other accessories elsewhere nearby: perhaps in the form of a flowerpot, or a blanket, or a valet tray. Matching is not necessary, but complementing another element is generally a welcome strategy, within reason. In terms of materials, a variety is often best: for example, on one console table, a nice mix could include a vintage wooden bowl, a pair of iron candlesticks, a stack of three hardcover books, and finally a burst of fresh hydrangeas in a green glass vase.

In addition to a more permanent accessory program, it’s also wise to mix in and rotate seasonal floral arrangements and fragrances. Not only does it enliven a space in a literal sense, but it also activates a new sense: smell, which is as important in the entire experience as the things you see and feel.

This brings up another important and related topic: sensory activation. More on that in the next Interior Report.