Dan's Papers - August 15, 2008 - 25 Designers at Hampton Designer Showhouse

We weren't sure quite what to expect when we arrived at the gala preview party for this year's Hampton Designer Showhouse, but we were enthralled from the minute we set foot inside. The house is truly a remarkable showcase of talent.

This year's Showhouse features the work of roughly 25 top interior designers and decorative artists. The Showhouse, now in its eighth year, is a lavish shingle-style mansion at 59 Farm Court in Sagaponack. The house was donated by Richard Gherardi and William Landberg of the Sand Dollar Development Corp. The Showhouse is open until Sunday, August 31, and all proceeds will benefit Southampton Hospital.

Though there are many winning rooms in this year's Showhouse, Gail Shields' library definitely takes the cake with some tantalizing juxtapositions. In one corner sits a deliciously furry Rene Drouet chair covered in Mongolian lamb hair, opposite a furry floor lamp by Collura & Co. Above the fireplace an interactive multi-media art installation consisting of tango scenes shot by Sandra Llano Mejia is displayed on a dozen different screens, one of which films the movement of your feet when you stand close. On the opposite wall a patchwork assemblage mirror reflects even more viewpoints. When dissected, each element of the room's design can be appreciated for its bold, elegant personality. When combined, the room really sings.

Robert Stilin's family room in the center of the house is "Belgian-look meets high art."

"My goal is always to create a room where people feel immediately comfortable. Where they look at a sofa or chair, such as the custom horsehair and down-stuffed furniture I design, and think 'I want to sit there and enjoy this room.'" Enjoy the room they shall. Working with art consultant Marla Hamburg, Stilin pairs a show-stopping elevator diptych by Richard Mimran with relaxing and thoughtful pieces such as a puzzle photograph by Vik Muniz and watercolor cross by Dan Asher.

"It was the expansive three-panel headboard pulled together with a mirrored look that really launched our room at the Showhouse," explained Jennifer Mabley of Mabley Handler Interior Design. "It reflects light and has a luxe Moroccan feel to it," she explained. After the headboard, it was a great Madeline Weinrib metallic medallion carpet. "It's a great low-pile chenille in a rich lustrous gray color," added Mabley. What we loved about the Mabley Handler room was also how they mixed touches of glamour with casual items to create very livable spaces. Silver, gray, light, items that connote the ocean, natural woods, coral, touches of glam - we were starting to see some recurring motifs.

Christopher Maya's living room sets the stage for a modern salon. The updated traditional style is perfect for pre-dinner cocktails or after-dinner whisky and charades. Elegant blues, whites and cremes are invigorated with red chairs and accents. Thoughtful inclusions give the room depth and character, such as a red lacquered bar area inset with family photos and Louis XVI chairs updated with a fabric reminiscent of Navajo blankets. Nods to traditional salons complete the look with a formal Jansen writing desk behind the sofa and a gaming table set with 18th-century chairs.

Tucked away upstairs near the back of the property is Douglas Graneto's stimulating and sophisticated grand guest room. A bed of white coral-like sculptures from Tucker Robbins in one corner echoes the blue and orange coral patterns in the window treatments, wall coverings and bedding. Christopher Normon supplied all the fabrics for the room, a tart confection of near opposites on the color wheel. The blues and oranges pop when paired with the sophisticated marble bench by Marcel Wanders at the foot of the bed. Graneto set out to create a luxurious, lively guest room that would make a guest feel truly special. Mission accomplished.

Finally, we entered the "ultimate guest suite" created by Jennifer Flanders. Calming blues, whites and pearl grays enveloped the room, and then we were hit by the bold use of turquoise, which served as the primary accent color throughout the room. "I wanted to create the most ideal guest room and outfit it with every amenity possible," explained Flanders. "My goal was to make the room unforgettable." It certainly was. We could not get the image of the most perfect turquoise accent desk out of our heads as we pulled ourselves from the room.

Other participating designers include Bob Bakes, Penelope Irwin, Kate Singer, Katherine Newman, Kevin Hart, Lilly Pulizter, McNeill Art Group, Nancy Boshardt, Susan Calabria, Regina Craft, Sherrill Canet and Tarasoff Interiors.

There are notable behind-the-scenes design elements this year, as well. "This is the first time the Showhouse is truly green," said Tony Manning of Mitchell Manning Associates, the company that provides all showhouse management services. "There is geo-thermic heating and cooling, and solar energy," Manning explained. And, "There is more color this year. I think this is a reflection of the economy and how designers want to brighten things up." The architecture and design of the house itself also has a bright feeling, and captures the natural light and beauty of the Hamptons.

Showhouse hours are Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the showhouse is $30 and includes the Showhouse Journal. For more information, call 631-537-0455, or visit www.hamptondesignershowhouse.com.