Ellen Pompeo’s barn style Hamptons home
The Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo didn’t know the challenges she was in for when she purchased a Hamptons barn eight years ago.
In love with the history of the Sag Harbour property – which was built by a female civil rights activist lawyer – Pompeo planned to build on the original footprint of the cabin, and create a larger cabin next to it.
However, at the same time, a home in Malibu that she had her eye on came onto the market. Despite the excitement in laying claim to this property, it meant the Sag Harbour project needed to be scaled back. Pompeo engaged an architect and designer to transform the existing cabin into a holiday home, leaving the extra build for a later date.
Yet, with their aesthetics not aligning, Pompeo parted ways with these two professionals and got started on tackling the decorating herself. Some time later, the actress and hobby decorator met Estee Stanley, of Hancock Design, and Brigette Romanek, and it was then that she felt ready to give the home the attention and work it deserved.
Pompeo wanted something very different to her other properties, which include her midcentury Malibu home, two Mediterranean homes and two modern homes. Using lots of timber, an eclectic mix of furniture and a black, white and mustard colour palette, the result is modern, young and fresh – and very different to the traditional Hamptons aesthetic. Take a look…
Images by Architectural Digest, from here.
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Celebrity Insider: Shay Mitchell’s Los Angeles Home
Canadian actress Shay Mitchell – known for her role in hit US TV series Pretty Little Liars – first saw Consort Design‘s work at the Honest Company HQ when visiting Jessica Alba (we take you inside, here). Following the firm on Instagram, Mitchell then went on to hire the team to redecorate her Spanish style L.A. home.
Mitchell wanted to create a ‘mature’ space to base herself in as she enters the next stage in her career, with injections of Moroccan and French flair. She worked with Consort Design to bring this vision to life.
There are several contrasting yet complementary spaces in the home, such as the dark and dramatic ‘den’ room with its custom made jade-green velvet lounge and ‘Down Pipe’ paint by Farrow and Ball versus the light and airy formal living room, complete with monochrome Moroccan tiles, Lawrence of LaBrea rug and the cocktail table from Lawson-Fenning.
Take a look…
Images by Tessa Neustadt from here.
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Celebrity Insider: Cindy Crawford’s $79m Malibu home
When a supermodel and style icon lists their home for sale, the world clamours to catch a peek inside. This was certainly the case for Cindy Crawford’s recent listing of her US$79 million Malibu home. Not only is the residence in an enviable, beach front location but it is positioned right next door to Crawford’s own multi-structure compound.
Crawford and her partner Rande Gerbe purchased the estate in 2015 and then undertook renovations to transform the 3 to 4 bedroom, 5.5 bathroom, two-storey, resort-style getaway.
With a Mediterranean flair, the 3 acre estate features a tennis court, media room, gourmet kitchen, library nook, fire pit and swimming pool, positioning it as a real entertainer’s place.
In terms of the interiors, the palette is quintessentially beachy with natural timbers, neutrals and pops of azure blue, resulting in a laid-back, Hamptons style aesthetic. Add to that the floor to ceiling windows offering uninterrupted Pacific Ocean views, and it’s truly a place fit for the stars. Take a look…
Images: Chris Cortazzo Malibu Real Estate.
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How to: Hamptons kitchen with a modern take
The Hamptons style is one of our most requested from clients. The beauty of this aesthetic is that it doesn’t date. Sure there are updates to be made from time to time, but if you get the basics of the Hamptons style right, your space will stay current for years to come.
To help you identify some key ‘must haves’ when designing your Hamptons-style kitchen, we’ve put together our four biggest tips. Take a read then explore some of our favourite Hamptons-inspired kitchens below.
1.Go all out on white
White is the colour palette of the Hamptons look and should be the foundation for your kitchen. Choose white cabinetry, white walls and white window frames. However, you can add in elements of black or very dark timber – perhaps on your island bench – to provide even more sophistication and a boldness to the design.
2. Choose your pendant lights carefully
As Hamptons-style kitchens are simple in style, choosing statement pendant lights can add personality to the space. Copper is a great option to contrast the white, while steel is a look that is very current and black works well to balance darker cabinetry. Choose a series of pendants in the same size equally positioned along the top of your island bench for the best result.
3. Have fun with your furniture
A must-have for a modern Hamptons kitchen? Beautiful upholstered or timber stools and dining chairs. Because a Hamptons kitchen is very minimal in aesthetic and doesn’t rely on intricate timber or tiles, bringing in some texture and pattern through your furniture adds depth and detail to the room (as well as comfort!).
4. Contrasting timber floors
Our final must-have for Hamptons-inspired kitchens are timber floors in a mid to deep timber tone. As you scroll through the images below, look carefully at the different floor options and you’ll see that the darker tones really pop and add a wow factor to the space. Consider the rest of the timber throughout your home and be sure to match the tones so that your new kitchen complements rather than clashes with your existing designs.
All images from our Kitchen Pinterest board.
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Celebrity insider: Hilary Swank’s Paris Apartment
She moved to Paris for a relationship, but when that ended, Hilary Swank had fallen so in love with the city, she stayed. Now, the award winning actress has set up her own home in an historic building on the Left Bank.
Adding to her properties in Los Angeles and New York, this apartment features stately, traditional Parisian elements, such as huge windows, grand proportioned rooms and intricate mouldings.
Swank brought in Axel Huynh – founder of event-planning agency CrazyBaby and creative director of furniture company Henryot & Cie – to design a piece of furniture for her new home. However, Huynh’s role morphed into somewhat of the Interior Designer, as he brought Swank’s vision for the space to life.
Swank worked with Huynh to channel a European timelessness blended with a midcentury flair in the apartment using handcrafted pieces by Henryot & Cie, retro daybeds in jewel tones and Ginger and Jagger wall lamps. However, this bolder aesthetic was turned down and the couture elements increased as the design moved to Swank’s bedroom, creating a moodier, more subtle space. Take a look…
Images from here.
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Celebrity Insider: Meghan Markle’s fashionista Toronto Home
Californian-born Meghan Markle rose to fame thanks to her role in hit America TV series, Suits. She has since returned to the spotlight due to her romantic relationship with none other than Prince Harry of Wales. The 35-year old actress and humanitarian is currently based in Toronto and regularly shares vignettes of her home via her Instagram account.
We could be mistaken for thinking Markle works in the fashion industry: her tables decorated with fashion books and a closet solely for her impressive heel collection. Complementing most of these stacks of books are vases of fresh flowers – some even picked from her own garden.
Markle also appreciates fine art, with a nude, watercolour Inslee Fariss piece hanging above the bed and a Gray Malin print in her living room. Throughout the home, white is the dominant colour used for much of the decor and furniture, but touches of rustic timber furniture provide texture and character… as do her two adopted dogs! Take a look…
Images: Instagram.com/meghanmarkle and here.
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Celebrity Insider: Naomi Watts’ New York family apartment
From the big screen to magazine spreads, Naomi Watts exudes style, and now we know her home does too. Watts’ New York apartment is intimate, eclectic and a perfect balance between boldness and grace.
Watts shares the apartment with husband and fellow actor Liev Schreiber and their two sons. It’s no surprise therefore that the space has a homely and warm feel to it, with its bleached-walnut banquette in the kitchen, which the family huddle around for meals.
In the playroom, a Living Divani sectional sofa sits atop a custom-made John Robshaw rug, while hanging above are Flos pendants. And of course there’s the kids’ room with upholstered bedheads and photographs taken by Watts’ brother hanging above the twin beds.
Yet, there are distinct grown up spaces too. The Master bedroom features opulent wallpaper by Clarence House, Ralph Lauren Home bedside tables and a vintage Italian bench, while the living room is finished with a 19th-century Gabon mask, velvet covered sofas and a custom, hand-crafted Robert Pluhowski cocktail table.
Tucked further into the home is the most impressive use of space of all: the green-lacquer bar styled with its own artwork. It’s a tiny space that delivers plenty of impact and function.
Images from here.
Celebrity Insider: Meg Ryan’s New York Loft
Actress turned director Meg Ryan has a lesser known passion: the world of interiors. Ryan recently completed the renovation of her ninth home – this time with the help of designer Monique Gibson and architect Joel Barkley.
Her sprawling New York loft was once Cindy Sherman‘s photo studio. Now, light floods through the huge windows and the former darkroom is Ryan’s cloakroom.
A neutral colour palette runs throughout the home, with texture and interest added in the way of intricate light hangings, Ryan’s collection of art and an eclectic mix of furniture gathered from many vintage stores.
The kitchen area sees an industrial light from a second hand store in Maine illuminate the area, while fabrics by Rogers & Goffigon wrap the living room’s sofas. These are complemented by a Stéphane Parmentier lava-stone stool, a painting of Ryan by John Mellencamp and a Pablo Avilla wire tree sculpture.
The dining room features a striking custom-made bronze table by Maison Gerard, which is surrounded by Bentwood chairs from Lee Calicchio. Overhead hangs a high impact, salvaged lantern and mantel from United House Wrecking.
Through to the monochrome bathroom and a Water Monopoly stand-alone tub sits above a tiled platform. Matching Urban Archaeology vanities are customised with Grigio Carnico marble tops creating a sophisticated space.
Take a look…
Images from here.
Celebrity Insider: Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen’s Manhattan Loft
With floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, including the bathroom, the views are just as spectacular as the apartment itself in this celebrity home.
Moving into a larger home, sports star Tom Brady and supermodel Gisele Bündchen are selling their 48th floor Flatiron home, designed by architect Peter Marino.
Framed by glass walls, the 4 bedroom home boasts views of the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, and the Hudson and East Rivers. The 3,310 square foot space even includes a floating marble tub in the master ensuite – perfect for looking out over the New York skyline.
The building’s four uppermost floors are owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch and house an around-the-clock doorman, a private screening room, a private dining room with a full catering kitchen, and a gym fitted out with a lap pool and steam room.
Take a look at this loft-like space, which was listed for $17.25 million…
Images from here.
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Vince Camuto’s Former $72 Million Hamptons Compound
While he passed away last year, John Vincent ‘Vince’ Camuto’s legacy lives on. The co-founder of the international women’s brand Nine West, Camuto created an equally as stylish home. The Hamptons are renowned for being home to the stars, and the expansive estate occupied by Camuto certainly has many star qualities about it.
Camuto first visited ‘Villa Maria’ about a decade ago, which was then occupied by nuns and in need of major renovations. However, impressed by its size and vista of Mecox Bay, Camuto could see huge potential for the historical Hamptons home. He went on to buy the 11-bedroom estate and undertook a six year renovation with an architect and landscaper to bring the 1919 mansion back to its former glory, with a few contemporary touches along the way.
Today, the 15 acre grounds feature a guest cottage, carriage house, pool and atrium, while inside the house itself are a sauna, wine cellar and a staggering 12.5 bathrooms. The decor is quintessentially ‘Hamptons’ with beiges and blues, natural fibres and classic upholstering, but there are touches of Italian flair too with zebra throws, coffered ceilings and Venetian plaster work. Take a look…
