Evoking coastal charm and sophisticated luxury, Hamptons-style home design remains a winner amongst Australian homeowners.
However, not everyone gets it right. Here, interior designer Natalee Bowen describes the essential must-haves for creating a dream Hamptons-esque home.
“The Hamptons’ timeless charm appeals to a growing number of Australians, looking to create their own dream home. Whether it’s the high-end traditional look, the cultured coastal aesthetic, or the mixed classic and eclectic feel, no Hamptons-style home is complete without the hallmark exterior look of weatherboard cladding, which I achieved in my own Mindarie home renovation with Scyon Linea.”
It Starts Outside
Synonymous with calming shoreline living, it’s no surprise that Western Australian homeowners gravitate towards Hamptons-style home designs, which lends itself to our love of alfresco dining and outdoor lifestyle.
Paramount to Hamptons architecture, Scyon Linea cladding provides clean, horizontal shadow lines that evoke a classic, coastal charm. Relatively low maintenance, the cladding also prevails over traditional timber in Australia’s harsh climate. It resists flaking, warping or swelling, is resistant to fire and damage from termites and moisture.
Scyon Linea is also well adapted to renovate Western Australia’s many brick buildings. The cladding is pre-primed ready to paint, and is easily installed over brickwork using timber or steel battens and a vapour permeable membrane.
Perfectly complementing Scyon Linea weatherboard cladding is Scyon Axent trim – a thick and versatile edge treatment for windows.
It’s the finishing touch to internal and external corners, as a design enhancer at butt joints. Axent can be used with any Scyon cladding and any domestic window.
While weatherboard cladding exteriors may be associated with living by the sea, it works just as well inland. Scyon Linea is versatile, capturing resort-style luxury and easy elegance anywhere in Australia.
The Right Palette
The neutral colours of the coast help define a Hamptons-style home. A focus on muted whites, creams, linen tones and greys provide the foundation for this look, while blues ranging from duck egg to rich navy, offer the ideal contrast.
For the exterior of a Hamptons-style property, the deep shadow lines of weatherboard look cladding, like Scyon Linea, take centre stage. The same palette is best, with blue and white proving popular among those looking for a nautical-inspired scheme.
Transitioning from exterior to interior, neutral tones help bring an instant feeling of freshness, while providing a blank canvas for decorating. Add accents of colour through soft furnishings and greenery, particularly palms and orchids.
Light and Breezy Living
Traditionally, Hamptons homes were designed for easy living and entertaining, in spacious, light-filled. Natural light can transform a room, so it’s worth spending time at the start of a build or renovation maximising light all-year round.
Think expansive open-plan living areas with soaring raked or coffered ceilings, oversized bi-folds and large windows, to bathe indoor areas in natural light. High ceilings are an effective way to boost natural light alongside tall windows.
Light, lightweight voile curtains that drape to the floor will increase sunlight and give the illusion of height. A gabled roof will promote higher indoor ceilings and superior spatial awareness. I achieved this in my home with Scyon Axon with a light shade of white paint, providing the final step in maximising the space within.
Consider continuing the weatherboard look outside through to the inside to blur the line between interior and exterior creating one bright, open space. Here Scyon Linea or Scyon Axon work well, as they come ready to paint to any desired colour and don’t require annual touch ups or maintenance.
The Hamptons look offers a design blueprint for capturing Australia’s love affair with the outdoors while ensuring a relaxed and stylish space for entertaining family and friends.
To find out more, visit Scyon Walls or visit the showroom at Home Base.