Montauk Pioneer - August 1, 2008

The whole world's gone reality shows. You can watch singers compete in "American Idol", dancers compete in "Dance With the Stars," chefs compete in "Iron Chefs", and even single men compete in "The Bachelorette." But now you can watch, right in your own back yard, designers and their interns compete to decorate three oceanfront villas, at the spectacular Panoramic View & Residences in Montauk.

Last week there was lots of activity at this 10-acre property along the Old Montauk Highway, as TV crews were following three top New York designers around newly built villas, that are part of a project called, "Oceans 3: Showhouse Showdown Design Challenge." This creative, one of a kind design challenge is being launched by Traditional Home magazine, of New York City. Throughout the challenge, editors will create design assignments to fuel this competition.

Debra Brandt, publisher of Traditional Home, was on the premises of the Panoramic last week with members of her staff, including Joanna LoPinto, Marketing Manager, who was helping with the shoots.

"We decided to do this design challenge on the amazing oceanfront grounds of the Panoramic, because of the fantastic views, and the natural beauty of Montauk, which is perfect for our magazine," said Brandt. "I used to live in Montauk, and spent a summer here working at the Montauk Yacht Club, so I was thrilled to come out to this beautiful spot to create this exciting project for the Panoramic."

She explained that three design teams, comprised of an experienced professional designer and an up and coming apprentice, will each design and decorate a luxury residence at the Panoramic. These top designers include Eric Cohler, Philip Gorrivan and Amanda Nisbet. Traditional Home magazine will also give each design student apprentice a chance to have a summer internship working with these noted designers.

"It's not so much that the designer will compete with each other, as they have already reached success in their fields, but we are giving a chance more to their apprentices to compete against each other," said Brandt.

The apprentices, each chosen by a different designer, are Arlene Angard and Cindy Taylor, both of the New York School of Interior Design, and Elizabeth Bailey, of Parsons the New School For Design.

Throughout the design competition, a crew from Plum TV, of Bridgehampton, will follow the teams around as they begin and go through their design challenge and decorate the villas in their own unique styles. Plum TV expects to air this television special later in 2008.

Brandt said that Cohler, Gorrivan and Nisbet are "three of the nation's leading interior designers who handle residential and commercial projects around the world."

Cohler is often lauded for his distinguishing ability to fuse classical and contemporary elements. Dubbed "The Mixmaster" by industry editors, Cohler's interior spaces display layers of unusual texture, color and verve. Gorrivan's interiors speak to the importance of balance; antiques are delicately paired with contemporary furnishings, symmetry is enhanced by a touch of whimsy, and soft tonal palettes are highlighted by signature pops of color. Nisbet brings a fresh energetic approach to a traditional sense of luxury. Her work seamlessly balances function and style, classicism and modernism, in surprising ways.

Last week, as the Plum TV crew was interviewing Gorrivan in his chosen villa, which is still a work in progress, he was asked what his biggest challenge would be working here in Montauk.

"The biggest challenge is logistical," he said. "I've done show houses in the Hamptons before, but not this far out. In my work, I've found that it's important to be on the premises to inspect and oversee things."

His apprentice, Cindy Taylor, was asked the same question, to which she agreed with Gorrivan, adding, "With a drive this far, it's harder to see the design get implemented, so it's harder to oversee any mistakes. Not everyone is as visual as the designer himself."

As she was being interviewed, designer Amanda Nisbet looked down the sweeping cliff to the wide white sandy beach below, and said, "You can't get more spectacular than this vantage point, at the end of the earth where all of nature meets. These are nice, high-end properties, and in my design I'll let nature speak. Geography and space will dictate my design. I'll use my colors in less predictable ways, and there will be some surprises." But she said the important thing is "not to over think the process and not to take it too seriously-to have fun with it."

Her apprentice, "Lizzie" Bailey, said she admires Nisbet's "fearless sense of color," which she is known for. Bailey added that she is excited for the chance to work with Nisbet, and for the chance to "see a project through, for the first time."

Brandt said she is excited to have "three so very talented and different designers creating these villas in completely separate styles." She said the Panoramic View Residences will play host to a variety of events during the summer and fall, including a partnership with the Hamptons International Film Festival. This will include hosting a Hamptons Festival Unveiling Party for the Showhouses on Saturday, October 18.

The newly decorated luxury showhouse residences will be open for public tours on Sunday, October 19, and from Thursday to Sunday, October 23-26, as well as from October 30- November 2. Tour and event proceeds will benefit the Montauk Playhouse Community Center Foundation. The completed homes will be featured in Traditional Home magazine in seven issues from 2008-2009.

"We're very excited to be working with the staff of Traditional Home and their top designers here at the Panoramic," said Oak Gentry, the builder. "We are all excited to see the three special units add to the uniqueness of this amazing oceanfront property."

Adam Manson, CEO of Distinctive Ventures LLC, the operations company which provides white glove services to properties under management, said he enjoys working with Traditional Home and their designers, and looks forward to raising both awareness and money for the Montauk Playhouse.

"We also look forward to selling the three newly decorated units when they are completed, as well as the other luxury residences at the Panoramic View," he said.