Serena & Lily Sets Up Shop in Wainscott
May 22, 2013 | by Bao Ong
Serena & Lily's Wainscott store opens this weekend.
Serena & Lily’s classy and timeless aesthetic in home décor and lifestyle products can now be found at the brand’s first brick-and-mortar location, Serena & Lily Beach Market, opening in Wainscott this Saturday, May 25. Whether it’s soft gingham bed linens or turquoise butterfly chairs, the shop will offer what has previously been available only online and in catalogs.
>>Read More3 Tips for Getting Your Outdoor Space Summer-Ready
May 08, 2013 | by Cait Rohan
An example of Harmonia Inc.'s handiwork.
Memorial Day is fast approaching, which means that summer kickoff parties are also just around the corner. We surveyed the experts at a few of the Hamptons’ top horticultural services to see how you can get your outdoor spaces ready:
>>Read MoreThe Madoo Winter Garden Lecture Series
March 06, 2013
Thanks to the Madoo Winter Garden Lecture Series, you don’t have to wait until the first day of spring to get inspired about your garden. Starting March 10, The Madoo Conservancy in Sagaponack will showcase three guest speakers with diverse expertise in the gardening world. The brainchild of renowned local artist Robert Dash, this event is a great opportunity to prep for the prime gardening season ahead.
Accomplished writer and award-winning interior designer Charlotte Moss kicks the series off on March 10, drawing from her East Hampton gardens and international travels to explore how greenspaces incorporate nature into our daily lives. If you’re looking to be more eco-conscious this season, stop by March 17 to see Anne Raver, garden columnist for the The New York Times, and discover green practices that are ideal for both you and the environment. Internationally acclaimed photographer, Mick Hales, closes the series on March 25, sharing his insights into what attracts us to different spaces. Hale will use photos from a recent trip to England in his talk.
All lectures begin at noon in the Winter House Studio, and are open to Madoo Conservancy members and the public. The entrance fee for the individual lectures is $30 for guests, and $20 for members. To attend all lectures, the fees range from $45 (members) to $75 (nonmembers). All talks are followed by refreshments, and attendees are invited to take a wintertime walk on the grounds. Email info@madoo.org to reserve a space. 618 Sagg Main St., Sagaponack, 537-8200
—TESS BONN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PIETER ESTERSOHN (MOSS); ROB CARDILLO (RAVER); VERT (HALES)
Restoration Hardware Decorates for Small Spaces
November 26, 2012
“In the past 20 years many homes across America were built to enormous size. But today, even affluent home buyers are rethinking the scale of the megahouse. “It can be seen as wasteful,” says Ian Baldwin, an architect who teaches the history and theory of modern architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design. “The new paradigm in consumerism is being a cutting-edge ‘green’ consumer. That’s cool, as well as being responsible.”
A smaller footprint requires smaller furniture. Gary Paul, a New York architect, who heads his own firm, GP Incorporated Design Consulting, but has worked on numerous projects in the Hamptons, admits to “constantly looking for smaller-scale pieces. Smaller-scale furniture saves on materials, which is both ecological and cost effective.” Robert Couturier, the noted New York–based interior designer, whose projects range from Soho lofts to a beach house in Southampton, also points out that “with modern construction, rooms are smaller and you can’t put as many pieces into those spaces.”
Although Gary Friedman, creator and curator of Restoration Hardware, says he never follows trends, he’s the guiding spirit behind what seems to be a particularly well-timed new Big Style Small Spaces Collection at the furniture and design company. The collection, which debuted last spring, evolved so quickly that the company devoted a 156-page standalone sourcebook to it in the fall. As a way of proving the line’s versatility and effect, the brand curated 15 inspired sample interiors—from a Paris pied-à-terre to an East Village loft—with pieces from the collection. “We chose the iconic residences typical to each of those places,” says Friedman.
The key to the collection, according to Friedman, is not only the new proportion, but also, “the ability to place things beautifully in small spaces to create a new drama and excitement.” He says a scouting trip to Paris with his creative team prompted a reassessment of how to design for small areas.
Soon after the trip, Restoration Hardware designers began to fashion furnishings that while scaled down also reflected a reinterpretation of otherwise traditional designs. For example, seating inspired by classic Breuer or Arne Jacobsen chair design may now feature distressed wood and a variety of textures, as well as be of a different scale.
By organizing the line around iconic settings, Friedman seems to be tapping into another trend—the renewed interest, after years of the architectural mishmash of McMansion styles, for structures (often in urban settings) with historic design integrity. Ian Baldwin points out that “With all these interesting spaces people are now occupying, they need different furniture than they once owned. The furnishings are all part of the new ways many people are choosing to live.” 69 Main St., East Hampton, 907-1300
—DAVID MASELLO
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX FARNUM (FRIEDMAN); COURTESY OF RESTORATION HARDWARE (INTERIORS)
The Ultimate Camera Case
November 19, 2012
Designed for the true artist, First & Company has created an immaculate piece to express true individuality and style—the Voyager camera case ($5,000). Hand-pieced together in California by skilled artisans, the whiskey batido leather is tanned to perfection and carefully hand-finished for a truly unique look. The sturdy pine wood casing is joined with antique brass rivets that enhance the old-world charm. Out East, the Voyager camera case will be available only at Tenet in Southampton. “The Voyager camera case is the perfect gift for the Hamptons man due to its vintage look and luxurious detailing,” says Tenet owner Jesse Warren. “The craftsmanship of the case is incredible, and it’s sure to make a fantastic gift.” Tenet, 91 Main St., Southampton, 377-3981
