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How to create a Hamptons haven

An expert's guide to creating a dream Hamptons-style bedroom
Chris Warnes

Simplicity reigns supreme when creating a Hamptons bedroom, with warm tones and plenty of touchable textures coming together to create an elegant sleeping space. “It’s all about understated luxury that creates a feeling of calm,” says interiors stylist Lauren Keenan, who recommends starting with a neutral colour base – either a light grey or pale sandy beige – and then building the palette from there.

 

Brigid Arnott
Blues and whites with a touch of creamy whites makes for a serene sleep space. (Credit: Brigid Arnott)

“For a coastal feel, choose accent hues in varying shades of blues and greens such as navy, duck egg and sea grass,” says Lauren. “Or, for a more modern look, keep the furniture traditional but play around with earthy colours, such as eucalyptus green, soft terracotta, or even light mustard yellow.” Finally, add a touch of black through a curtain rod, door hardware or floor lamp. “Just a little touch of black here and there adds wonderful depth,” says Lauren.

Chris Warnes
Dark accents such as a inky grey curtain grounds a Hamtpons-style sanctuary. (Credit: Chris Warnes)

The star of a Hamptons-styled bedroom is undoubtedly the upholstered bedhead, which helps to anchor the bed and add softness to the space. “Consider room size and other decorative elements before choosing a bedhead,” says Lauren. “For example, if you’re hanging artwork above the bed, keep the bedhead simple. Similarly, if your bedroom is small, a big bedhead will just overwhelm the space.”

Katrina Crook
A build-in banquette makes for a chic resting spot in a Hamptons-style bedroom. (Credit: Katrina Crook)

Extend the cosy factor to the floor with a loop pile carpet in a wool or wool blend, which tend to feel softer underfoot than manmade fibres. Window treatments should also be textural – think linen curtains with a pinch or pencil pleat hung from a black curtain rod, or classic plantation shutters to accentuate the coastal feel. “Shutters also give excellent light and ventilation control, which is an important consideration in a bedroom,” says Lauren, designer and founder of Lauren Keenan Home.

For more Hamptons home-style inspiration and design ideas, pick up a copy of Home Beautiful‘s very special Hamptons Homes Volume 2, published in association with James Hardie hereAnd find out more, here

Hamptons Homes
Hamptons Homes, Volume Two, brought to you by the Home Beautiful team. (Credit: Hamptons Homes)

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