The established Hamptons trend is being given a truly Australian makeover by homeowners from Perth, WA to Putney, NSW. The contemporary interpretation combines quintessentially Queenslander staples on todayโs smaller blocks, with the elegance of the New York original style.
โItโs easy to see why Hamptons has been so successful in Australia with our shared love of indoor-outdoor living and entertaining,โ says interior designer and principal at Indah Island, Natalee Bowen. โHowever, over the years weโve adapted the style to our more modern tastes and the environment. Today, when we look at the homes that inspired us, itโs clear that a new Australian Hamptons look has emerged.โ
Here, Natalee is joined by Sami Rahman from James Hardie America, to compare and contrast the look here and there, and help define Australian Hamptons.
Size isnโt everything
โThe Hamptons look has spread across the east coast, from New York state to Cape Cod and one of the defining features is size โ the bigger the better. These homes are made for any entertaining occasion from weekend getaways to functions and gatherings,โ he says.
โSize has definitely inspired the Australian Hamptons look, but weโre building our homes on anything from rural farmland to inner suburb blocks,โ adds Natalee. โItโs about using the area you have to create that open airy feel, often through open floor plans and lots of natural light.โ
Environmental inspiration
โA basic tenant of the Hamptons look is reflecting the surrounding area. In America this means the whites, blues and other coastal elements, while in Australia, we take this principle and apply it to our locations. Colour palettes can range from eucalyptus greens and caramels in rural areas, to shades of greys in cities,โ says Natalee.
Material choices
โAmerican Hamptons style homes exude timeless charm and the sense of understated โold moneyโย luxury. The look relies on muted tones that are given richness with material choices, including old world materials like timber shingles and stone,โ says Sami.
โAfter a long legacy of using red and cream brick, Australians are looking to use modern materials that give a feel of quality craftsmanship that will stand the test of time,โ says Natalee. โA must have are Linea Weatherboards that create a classic Australian cottage look that has a colonial charm. This gives a familiar but more contemporary shadow line look that is used in America to add texture. The cladding is also better suited to the harsh Australian climate than timber, as it is made from fibre cement which is resistant to warping, flaking and damage from moisture and fire.โ
Sami adds: โIn America we have a range of climates to consider, so preferences vary from asphalt shingles to slate or tile roofs depending on which coast youโre on. Meanwhile, Australians prefer a corrugated steel roof, which is a big difference and a material thatโs quintessentially Australian.”
Ornamentation
โDetail is everything for any Hamptons home. Australians hold true to this original thinking through the use of Axent trim, a fibre cement architrave used to enlarge window and door frames, which is finished in a bright white and extended onto eaves,โ says Natalee.
She adds: โA gable roof is a classic Hamptons motif that stops the home looking blocky and creates beautiful ceilings inside. In America, they have multiple gables, dormer windows and cupolas, as money is no object for the extremely wealthy Hamptons homeowners. In Australia, where the look has been made more accessible, volume builders have figured out how to simplify the style with token gables.”
Verandas
โAlfresco and outdoor entertaining areas capture that love of indoor-outdoor living areas. The additional Australian twist on this is the addition of verandas,โ says Natalee. โIn Australia, we have a tradition ofย wraparound verandas which are reminiscent of country homes and Queenslanders.โ
โAdditionally, using HardieGroove linings in veranda ceilings and as internal feature walls works well with the Hamptons style and is consistent with Queenslander style homes,โ says Natalee.
While the Hamptons look may speak to a refined and relaxed way of life, itโs important to understand the details and nuances that makes the style at home in Australia.
For more on how to get the Australian Hamptons look for your home
Comments
Margaret says
Dear Scotty,
You need to learn to write your numerals properly, especially number 8. Start as an S and then join up, not as a snowman. I have watched all the Block series and it is time for you to write numeral correctly.
Retired primary school teacher,
Kindest regards,
Margaret
Jen Bishop says
Hi Margaret. Thanks for the funniest comment I’ve read all week! ๐ Jen