When it comes to creating a harmonious blend of sophistication, relaxation, and coastal charm, Hamptons style home interiors reign supreme. Inspired by the coastal homes in the affluent seaside communities of the Hamptons, New York, this interior design style has gained immense popularity worldwide. In this article, we will explore the origins and key features of Hamptons style, delve into its distinctive color scheme, examine the patterns and elements that define it, compare it with coastal style interiors, and discover furniture, lighting, homeware, and rug designs that perfectly suit this timeless aesthetic.

Origin & Features

The Hamptons style draws its inspiration from the luxurious vacation homes along the eastern coast of Long Island, renowned for their elegant and relaxed atmosphere. This style embodies the essence of beachside living while embracing classic and refined design elements. Key features of Hamptons style interiors include:

1. Light and airy spaces: Hamptons interiors emphasize an abundance of natural light, achieved through large windows and open floor plans. This creates an inviting and breezy ambiance.

2. Neutral color palette: Crisp whites, cool grays, and soft beiges form the foundation of Hamptons style interiors. These colors are reminiscent of the coastal environment and allow for a serene and timeless backdrop.

3. Natural materials: Incorporating natural materials such as timber, wicker, and rattan is essential to achieving the Hamptons aesthetic. These elements bring warmth and texture to the space, further enhancing the coastal feel.

Colours, Patterns & Elements

The color scheme of Hamptons style interiors is characterized by a combination of soothing neutrals and coastal tones. The primary colours include crisp white, soft shades of blue, sandy beige, and gray. These hues create a sense of tranquility and provide a perfect canvas for incorporating other design elements.

Hamptons style is known for its elegant use of patterns and elements that evoke a relaxed coastal atmosphere. Some commonly used patterns include stripes, checks, and simple floral prints. Nautical motifs like anchors and sailboats are also popular, adding a touch of maritime charm to the space. Incorporating these patterns through soft furnishings, such as cushions, curtains, and upholstery, can instantly transform a room into a Hamptons haven.

Hamptons vs. Coastal

While Hamptons style and coastal style interiors share a love for a relaxed and beach-inspired ambiance, they have some distinct differences. Coastal style tends to lean towards a more casual and eclectic look, often incorporating brighter colours like aqua, coral, and seafoam green. Hamptons style, on the other hand, leans towards a more refined and sophisticated aesthetic, with a focus on neutral tones and classic design elements. Both styles celebrate the coastal lifestyle but with different interpretations.

How to create a Hamptons style atmosphere

To complete the Hamptons look, select furniture, lighting, homeware, and rugs that reflect the style's elegant and timeless appeal. Here are some design ideas to consider:

Furniture: Opt for classic and well-crafted pieces with clean lines. Think plush sofas and armchairs upholstered in linen or cotton fabrics. Incorporate natural materials like wicker or rattan, seen in coffee tables, dining chairs, and bed frames.

Lighting: Choose light fixtures that exude understated elegance. Pendant lights with clear glass shades or chandeliers with linen or rattan accents are excellent choices. Incorporate table lamps with ceramic or glass bases to add a touch of sophistication.

Decors: Accessorize your space with carefully curated homeware. Display items such as seashells, coastal artwork, and woven baskets to bring a coastal touch. Incorporate white or pastel-colored ceramics, glassware, and vases for a refined look.

Rugs: Select rugs that are light in color and texture to enhance the airy ambiance. Natural fibers like jute or sisal work well, or opt for a classic striped rug to add a touch of nautical charm.

Conclusion

Hamptons style home interiors offer a perfect blend of elegance, relaxation, and coastal charm. Drawing inspiration from the prestigious Hamptons coastline, this style showcases light and airy spaces, a soothing color palette, and an array of timeless design elements. By carefully selecting furniture, lighting, homeware, and rugs that reflect this aesthetic, you can create a haven of coastal sophistication within your own home. So why not embrace the beauty of the Hamptons and transform your living space into a serene coastal retreat?

Timeless, opulent and beautiful - what’s not to love about leather? With these qualities in mind, it’s no wonder that leather couches and sofas have remained a popular choice since their inception into the interior design pantheon. Like most quality fabrics, leather requires a degree of care and maintenance to keep it looking (and feeling) its best. Nobody wants to park their bum on crumbly, cracking leather - we want that smooth and buttery finish!

We’ve assembled some top tips on how to clean a leather couch, so you can keep your seating soft and supple long into its lifespan.

Suck it up

The first step on your leather-cleaning journey is to bust out the vacuum. Before you run the vacuum over, make sure to remove any throws or pillows, and check down the back and sides of the cushions for any loose items - we all know how much coins and candy love to make themselves at home in couch crevices!

Pop your brush attachment onto your vacuum head to avoid scratching your leather upholstery, then use slow, gentle strokes to clean the surface of your couch. When all surfaces are taken care of, use the crevice or nozzle attachment to get into all the nooks and crannies that your fingers can’t reach. 

Wipe-out

Once you’ve given your sofa a careful once-over with a hoover, it’s time to wipe it down. Before you so much as dampen a cloth, it’s best to check the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific furniture - you never know what will and won’t agree with your couch’s upholstery. Most leather can be cleaned with distilled water and mild eco-friendly soap, but stick to the golden adage of less is more. Never take to your couch with a fully wet cloth - this can cause water stains. Use a fresh microfibre cloth that has been slightly dampened with distilled water to wipe any stubborn spots clean.

Going top shelf

There are occasions in life where you can skimp, but caring for your leather couch is not one of them. Spending some money on specialist leather care products to extend the life of your couch will make all the difference. Using quality leather cleaner and a leather protector applied with a soft sponge is the key to effective couch maintenance. Do your research and find products with good reviews.

Mint condition

Much like the stuff we use for our hair, leather conditioner is a product designed to promote strength and softness. Using leather conditioner on a new couch can extend its longevity, while treating a well-loved leather couch to some decent product will help soften and moisturise it. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging and resist all temptations to scrub - this can do more harm than good!

Call in the pros

In the words of Kenny Rogers, “You’ve gotta know when to fold ‘em.” In other words, sometimes your best efforts aren’t enough and only an expert’s touch will do. Because leather is such a temperamental material to work with, engaging a professional cleaner can ensure that no accidents happen. When it comes to maintaining your leather sofa, investing a little bit of extra money can add years to its life and general condition.

When looking for upholstery cleaning companies, be sure to do your research and check any reviews. Proper leather cleaning and maintenance is a specialist practise, so it pays to find someone with the right experience and tools to do the job - especially if you have concerns like cracking or holes that you want to address.

Handy hints, dos and don’ts

There are a couple of home-remedy cleaning tips you might have heard for leather, so we’re here to separate fact from fiction. You can use white vinegar to spot clean most leather couches - you just need equal parts vinegar and distilled water plus your trusty microfibre cloth. Be sure to test the solution in an inconspicuous area first, just in case your particular couch doesn’t take kindly to the formula. In the same vein, you can also use mild dish soap to clean your leather couch. In both instances, it’s crucial to stick to some basic rules - don’t soak the cloth, take it slowly, work the solution in gently and never rub too hard.

Wool, a material that is still a favorite till this day.  This diverse material is great in rugs for its durability, being environmentally friendly and very resilient.

When making a purchase it is important to stop and think for a moment about what you may need from your rug in regards to functionality. Will your rug be placed in a high traffic area? Is it intended to sit under where you eat the majority of your meals, hence spillage? Will you require your rug to have longevity? Sure, we need our rugs to look fabulous, but we also need to make sure the material meets the requirements.

Let's dive into why wool is a beneficial material choice for a rug.

Due to wool’s built in natural capabilities, it can last for many years looking fresh with little wear and tear if looked after correctly. Perfect for the more popular rooms in your home. Hand knotted wool rugs wear particularly well.

Wool rugs traditionally have even been handed down as heirlooms, that's the kind of longevity we are talking about. There is a coating of lanolin in wool that aids in resisting dirt and light stains so this takes the pressure off hard cleaning. Most of the time a regular vacuum will do the trick when maintaining the cleanliness of your woolen rug. It is important though to avoid wine spillage as wool will soak heavier liquids right up.

wool fibre structural advantages

Colour longevity is one of wool's hallmarks. If your woolen rug is dyed, the colouring is likely to last, due to the dye process. As a result of this, retailers will often have an extensive range of colours and patterns on offer, so you're sure to find something to suit your interior style. Keeping your woolen rug out of direct sunlight is also just as important to note as the colouring can fade.

Wool is a wonderful insulator. Woolen rugs are a terrific addition when it comes to winter as they prevent heat loss. They are also gorgeous underfoot, the wool fibers offer comfort and are soft.

Now a wool rug can be pricey, especially compared to the more synthetic options available but after reviewing the above benefits, this clearly outlines that a wool rug will be a smart investment. This cost effective choice will bring your home style, comfort, resilience and has health and environment interests. Woolen rugs have been around for the time they have as they do offer many rewards. We hope that this guide will aid in ensuring that a wool rug is the perfect match for your home.

Parquetry inspired furniture is commonly showcased through the French Provincial style and is typically hand carved, rustic in appearance and exhibits a natural timber grain. The face of the piece, or the furniture's largest surface area generally flaunts a design such as a contrasting textured layout as the focus, with the herringbone style being at the forefront of design popularity. This character filled decorative effect displays natural charm that will reflect sophistication into your interior.

Source from: apartmenttherapy

Boasting a mix of European and American furniture, this interior above reflects the Hamptons Style, with a touch of Australiana. It is typical of this design to have a neutral palette with pops of colour, and warm timber elements that bring a relaxed but classic feel.

Characteristically, the Hamptons style works well by the sea or in a country home. If wanting to bring this look into a beach home, simply replace the darker décor accent pieces with hints of ocean Blues in say your cushions or throws, add White woven baskets and keep the iconic neutral surrounding pallet. As displayed in the image above, they have gone for a more rustic country look and added in rattan armchairs, a grand painting of a Hound above the fireplace and antlers. This is an extremely popular theme when it comes to interiors that never seems to date, it is truly a classic.

Source from Decoist

A warm, feminine style which is also referred to as country cottage or French Antique, Shabby Chic has a rather romantic air. It's all about blushing pink shades, roses and a certain simplicity in the sense that any vases, mirrors and chairs tend to be vintage rather than new. Because of this they have a trademark distressed look (whether genuine or applied).

The colour scheme with this look is neutral whites, beiges, creams and pale pastels such as blue, green, yellow and pink. There are plenty of florals, with fussy frills and polka dots encouraged (it’s a feminine style, after all). A great proponent of the shabby chic style is the designer Cath Kidson.

Fancy candlesticks, ornately framed mirrors, pitchers with wild flowers placed on a dressing table – these are all shabby chic accessories. In terms of furniture, reclaimed wood – often painted white – is popular and so too is the odd Louis IV reproduction chair with chipped paint. Sofas tend to be covered in throws and cushions (it’s all about comfort but without the elegance of Scandinavian style).

Wicker, linen and natural cotton, as well as the more glamorous velvet are favourite Shabby Chic materials from which to fashion tablecloths, curtains, cushions and other matching accessories.

This is a style that’s perfect for a female-led interior, but one which men can find a bit questionable at times.

Source from Aestatestudio

A look that first became popular in the Scandinavian and Nordic countries of Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland in the mid-30s, this is a style which, like Modernism, embraces minimalism and simplicity. But it’s done in a very elegant fashion. You’ll understand exactly what we mean when you realise three of its famous founders were Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner and Verner Panton (all produced iconic accent chairs revered today).

A neutral colour scheme is key, usually white, with the odd splash of colour in the form of cushions or a painting. Another big tenet of this style is natural materials; the more from your immediate environment the better, especially woods, leather, wool and even fur (more likely faux fur these days) because Scandi style tends to be cosy - especially in winter with roaring wood fires and plenty of fairy lights.

Flooring tends to be either wide planks of reclaimed wood or concrete. There isn’t a lot of furniture but what there is tends to be functional and of high quality, usually simply but carefully-carved timber and designed in such a way to showcase the natural beauty of the wood.

Nothing in this design style is elaborate or overly-fussy – something that many busy homeowners these days will certainly appreciate.

Loft Interior by Deniz Atli

Loft Interior by Deniz Atli, Source from Chaosgroup

Industrial design really came into its own with the transformation of old warehouses into homes. Along with the new fashion for urban loft living a new style of interiors was essential since current designs just wouldn’t adapt to those huge living spaces.

Furniture had to be large and chunky so that it wasn’t dwarfed by all that floor space and the high ceilings (which often had old wood beams). At the same time reclaimed wood, exposed pipe work and patchy brickwork - which nine times out of ten were part of the building anyhow – all became incorporated into this "stripped back" look. The result is a sense of "rawness" and an unfinished feel.

In terms of colour, the look is neutral with a few splashes of colour here and there in the form of artwork, a rug or cushions. The main materials are reclaimed wood and metal in all its forms – copper, steel, aluminium, bronze etc.

Pendant lamps in metallic are a large part of industrial design and are necessary to fill the gap between the high ceiling and the kitchen island.

This is a no-nonsense style where furniture and materials are repurposed where possible, resulting in a mix of vintage and contemporary. There are lots of nice relaxing clean lines – perfect for the busy urban executive returning home to the loft after a long day at the coalface – or rather, the office.

By definition, inspiration is a person, place, experience, etc., that makes someone want to do or create something.

Don't you love being inspired by something that you glimpse quickly but has a profound effect on your imagination? If you are searching for fresh ideas for decorating or renovating, look beyond the obvious sources.

easter-lilies-altar-backdrop

That impetus could be from a floral display you see at a wedding or other reception that defines a neutral palette and serene atmosphere for a room. It could be realised in quality artificial flowers or the form itself could motivate you to create a similar cascading effect in a room divider, shower screen, window treatment or curtains.

Sometimes the juxtaposition of two colours will surprise you and their unique combination will become the source for a whole new adventure in colour schemes.

Inspiring colour combos can come from nature, a scene on TV (such as the Countess of Grantham's room in Downton Abbey) or two small dots of oil paint on a canvas at the art gallery.  Some of the best colour artists were Edouard Vuillard and Odilon Redon. They can be described as artist's artists for their amazing use of colour. Look below to see some brilliant examples.

The outrageous colours used by Vuillard on the left and by Redon in the centre work beautifully together within each painting and offer some superb hues to experiment with. Sometimes the shapes and textures may be the motivation. The abstract by Barns-Graham could be reinvented as a floor plan for a room or garden or it could be used to represent the proportions for the decoration of a feature wall.

'Boulevard-of-Batignolles', Edouard Vuillard, 'Sunset', Odilon Redon and an abstract by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham

'Boulevard-of-Batignolles', Edouard Vuillard, 'Sunset', Odilon Redon and an abstract by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham