Creator of extraordinary sculptural accessories, designer Michael Aram shares his family-time favorites in the Hamptons.
My fondest childhood memories were made here in the Hamptons. My family loved to cook and garden, so my love for entertaining and nature were groomed here. After college I even considered moving out here full time, with the idea of using part of my parents’ house as a painting studio. Instead I took a very different path by setting up a metal design workshop in India.
Decades later I’m back in the Hamptons, and while I still travel often, weekends in Bridgehampton are sacrosanct, defining “family time” with my partner, Aret, and our 16-month-old twins, Anabel and Thadeus. We chose Bridgehampton since it was literally the “bridge” between my family in Southampton and our good friends in Sag Harbor. We walk to the village every weekend and have discovered that pushing a stroller is the best way to meet neighbors.
1. Bridgehampton Candy Kitchen on Saturday mornings. The waitresses are so sweet with our kids. 2391 Main St., 537-9885
2. Children’s Museum of the East End. 376 Bridgehampton–Sag Harbor Tpk., Bridgehampton, 537-8250
3. Yard sales. I recently got a wonderful, long workshop table that has taken pride of place in the living room.
4. Pike Farm Stand. Sagg Main Street, Sagaponack, 537-5854
5. Sagg Main Beach.
6. Visiting my old college friend Jack at his store, JED. 27 Washington St., Sag Harbor, 725-6411
7. Impromptu croquet games with the neighbors with a beautiful set produced by the Clarkpoint Croquet Company in Southwest Harbor, Maine.
8. For gardening, my go-to place is Agway. I have two raised beds—one planted with roses for my daughter, Anabel Rose, and the other planted with seasonal vegetables for my partner, who loves fresh herbs and tomatoes from the garden. 125 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton, 537-0007
9. LongHouse Reserve. 133 Hands Creek Road, East Hampton, 329- 3568
10. ARF Thrift & Treasure Shop. 17 Montauk Hwy., Sagaponack, 537-3682
