The Hamptons beach house in Southampton is a renovation that started with a heavy, dark interior. Janine Carendi MacMurray, the interior designer, recalls the property feeling very dated when she first saw it. Her clients, who had chosen the home, wanted a shift in direction from their Manhattan primary residence. They specifically requested a vacation spot that was light, coastal, and fun, contrasting with their previous work together.
Opening Up The Space
The design team focused on removing heavy millwork and busy wallpaper to create a more open feel. They kept the classical architectural detailing and coffered ceilings but simplified the fireplace surrounds. MacMurray chose herringbone oak floors and a limewash treatment for the walls. These changes transformed the dark, dated rooms into a lighter, more airy environment.
Custom furnishings anchor the gathering areas. MacMurray designed a softly curved sofa in bouclé for the living room and a pair of barrel lounge chairs for the primary suite. The dining room features an unusually shaped table, a triangle with rounded edges, to break up the expected rectangle or oval shape. This custom furniture was developed based on how the family lives and what they need in each space.
Related: Lake Michigan home restored to former glory
Art And Lighting
The designer mixes one-of-a-kind pieces with vintage lighting to add layering and soul to the home. Many of the antique fixtures are midcentury European and 1960s French Lunel. When contemporary fixtures were introduced, MacMurray looked for heritage materials like lacquer and brass because of their romantic qualities. The collection is ongoing, allowing the family to add new works by artists like Josef Albers, Damien Hirst, and Alex Katz over time.
Setting architect Gareth Mahon handled the outdoor grounds. The indoor-outdoor flow is a major feature of the design. French doors in the living area open to a pool area, and a screened, three-season room connects to the teak dining table. Even in the winter, the home feels welcoming and secluded.
A pair of vintage Onos center-pull brass pendants suspend over the kitchen island. Full-grain leather and polished teak counter stools match the wood dining chairs, which surround a concrete table from CB2. The foyer draws the eye through the home to a wall of French doors that beckon to the grounds and pool area beyond. This seamless connection allows the owners to pull the pair of teak tables together for extended seating during large summer gatherings. The screened, three-season room offers a flexible space that functions for both warm summer evenings and crisp fall mornings. The home maintains a welcoming feel year-round, described by the designer as a peaceful port.
