The roots of the Hamptons are firmly planted in holiday mode, so it’s no wonder that the Australian take on Hamptons homes is all about maximising outdoor entertaining and resort-style relaxation.
Indoor-outdoor flow
Create a laid-back ambience by focusing your design on the flow between your indoor and outdoor spaces and effortlessly blending the two together. A sweeping verandah is the hallmark of a Hamptons-style home and new builds almost all feature a generous alfresco. These are welcoming spaces that encourage long summer evenings spent outside. Luxury is amplified with private access to the verandah or a second-storey balcony from the main bedroom.
Spending hours watching and listening to the birds or soaking up the sun calls for very comfortable seating. Rattan or wicker furniture leans into that relaxed coastal aesthetic and is an excellent material for semi covered locations. Upholstered lounge cushions in long-lasting, weatherproof materials are an absolute essential. These are so easy to clean, and they dry easily in the sun without losing any fullness of colour. Dressing your external living areas with furnishings that can be exposed to the elements without worry adds to the true relaxation felt in a Hamptons-resort style home.
Of course, you should never miss an opportunity to hang a gorgeous pendant and this is an excellent way to zone your living and entertaining areas under a verandah or alfresco. Layer your lounge arrangement with outdoor rugs, potted plants and ceramic stools as well as an array of citronella candles clustered together on rattan trays.
Turning our attention poolside, this furniture also needs to be extremely durable and impervious to both water and sun damage. Investing in quality pieces is a no brainer, rather than replacing cheap furnishings each summer. To truly create a resort style experience in your backyard, sun loungers with reclining backs are a must have, as is an outdoor fireplace. We all pine over the luxurious umbrellas seen throughout great American hotels and here is the perfect opportunity to introduce them into your home. Quality again triumphs in UV resistant materials and fabulous design — poolside umbrellas are no longer just for your cocktail glasses!
Perfecting the Hamptons pool
Building the ultimate pool is one of the best ways to make the most of your environment and increase the socialisation within your Hamptons home. A pool capitalises on our long summer weather and is a must have for fitness and fun enthusiasts alike! If you are not located on a beachside property, then this is the best way to bring the waves to you!
- The shape and size. If you are fortunate enough to have a large block, or if you have to be a little more space conscious, it is worthwhile considering exactly how much room you want your pool to occupy. Remember to factor in any plans for lounging furniture and for the storage of your pool toys and cleaning supplies. A pool house is the best way to take care of all that.
- Space for poolside socialising. It is never just about the pool itself, but about who you want in and around it! An instant magnet for the kids and a lovely respite for your family and friends, you will be sure to spend countless hours by the pool. Consider seating and dining arrangements and if space allows, a built in BBQ or outdoor kitchen along with a bar will not go unappreciated.
- Durability and safety. The practical considerations of your pool selections are very important. Natural stone is an excellent option for its hardwearing surface that is slightly less slippery than tile, as is wood fibre decking. A pool cover will conserve your water from evaporation and help prevent leaves and dirt from making their way in when the pool is not in use. Pool fencing requirements will be set by your local council and should be closely monitored for compliance and ultimate safety.
- Shady spaces for sunny days. Shaded pergolas and arbours can provide beautiful respite from the sun on a hot day. Incorporate large shady trees into your landscaping for natural shade and consider building a pool house. They double up as a changing room to get in and out of swimwear, as well as storing outdoor furniture during the winter months.
- Finishing touches. After ticking off the main features, you can start to get creative! Highlight the architectural elements in your pool’s design with under water lighting and other water features. As well as being oh so pretty, lighting offers safety when using your pool after dark allowing the enjoyment to continue well into the night.
At the Hamptons Farm Estate, we partnered with Aqua Technics to bring our magnificent pool dreams to life! Aqua Technics has been a family owned and operated company since 1976. They provide superior services as the largest manufacturer of fibreglass swimming pools in Western Australia with award-winning products and designs. Aqua Technics leads the industry with their Pool ColourGuard technology that guarantees brilliant colour that will not fade.
With 29 designs to choose from, their pool range from small space saving designs, spacious family pools and long lap pools perfect for narrow spaces. We chose the largest pool in the Aqua Technics range, the Torino design, for its clean contemporary style that would not date. Designed for large backyards, the Torino offers an abundance of space for swimming, playing and relaxing. At a generous length of 11 meters and almost four and a half meters wide, there is so much space for uninterrupted floating to be done.
Of course, we couldn’t go past the The Hamptons Blue surface finish. It was the clear and perfect choice to complement our Hamptons style outdoor entertaining area. The wide seating ledge along one side of the pool is the perfect spot to relax and take in the stunning countryside view. This design also features a safety ledge on two sides for extra peace of mind.
This article originally appeared in Hamptons Living #1
