Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer, a time when much of the New York design community heads to the Hamptons not only for project installations but for inspiration and events. Below is a roundup of design happenings from showhouses to seasonal shops, house and garden tours to cocktail parties with art and design leaders such as Cindy Sherman and Agnes Gund, Mario Buatta and Jamie Drake.
ARF’s Fourth Annual Designer Showhouse and Sale (May 24-26), Sagaponack
The Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) Thrift and Treasure Shop will will be transformed into a designer showhouse featuring six rooms styled by interior designers including John Bjørnen, Suzanne Caldwell and Maria Greenlaw, Bryon C. James, Chris Mead, Scott Sanders and Rod Winterrowd. Each room will feature items and pieces donated from the designers’ own collections, and unlike traditional showhouses, every item in the ARF designer showhouse will be for sale.
The event, sponsored by HC&G (Hamptons Cottages & Gardens),kicks off with a preview party on Saturday, May 24, at 5:00 p.m. and will be open to the public on Sunday, May 25, and Monday, May 26, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Suggested entrance fee is $10 per person and all proceeds benefit the organization’s dedicated work to find loving homes for animals in need. (ARF Thrift & Treasure Shop, 17 Montauk Highway, Sagaponack)
Serena & Lily Beach Market Summer Kickoff (May 24-25), Wainscott
Serena & Lily Beach Market welcomes Hamptonites over Memorial Day Weekend when the store will be stocked with new summer items and shoppers will receive a 20% discount throughout the weekend.
In addition, one of Serena & Lily’s popular Art Collection artists, Sara Westover, will be painting live in a pop-up art studio, talking with customers and sharing her artistic process. The piece she creates will be auctioned off and proceeds will benefit the Children’s Museum of the East End.
Westover will be at the shop on Saturday, May 24, from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. A cocktail party and silent auction will follow on Sunday, May 25, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. (332 Montauk Highway, Wainscott)
The Serena & Lily Beach Market will also host numerous cocktail parties and events for interior designers, book signings and private luncheons throughout the summer. Stay tuned for more details.
5th Annual Tour of Southampton Homes an Insider’s View (May 31), Southampton
The Insider's View, sponsored by HC&G and Brunschwig & Fils, offers guests the opportunity to experience extraordinary houses that illustrate Southampton’s unique architectural history—from Colonial days right up to the present. A Champagne Reception hosted by Sant Ambroeus Restaurant follows the tour.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Rogers Mansion’s Museum Shop, 17 Meeting House Lane in Southampton, by calling (631) 283-2494 or going online. On the day of the Tour tickets may be picked-up or purchased as early as 10:30am at The Thomas Halsey Homestead (249 South Main Street, Southampton). Ticket Price: $95 in advance, $110 day of tour.
The 4th-Annual Much Ado About Madoo, A Garden is Forever (June 13), Southampton
Garden Cocktail Party and Garden Market Preview Sale (6:00-9:00 p.m.) features Rob Selects Bob, an exhibition of Robert Dash's artwork chosen by Robert Storr. The host committee includes Deborah Buck, Kendell Cronstrom, Charlotte Moss, Francis Schultz, among others.
A live auction will be presented by Jamie Niven, including three beautiful custom gardens designed by April Gonzales Garden Design, Laguardia Design, and Lear & Mahoney Landscape Design Associates. The silent auction features Architect-designed birdhouses, garden and home accessories. Preview and bid on an lots at gavelandgrand.com starting June 2, 2014.
Tickets are $150 and may be purchased online.
LongHouse Reserve exhibition (all summer) and “White Hot and Blue 2” Gala (July 19), East Hampton
Demonstrating how design need not stop at the back door, “EXTERIORS: The Explosion of Outdoor Furnishings” will present nine distinctive outdoor rooms filled with the best in international outdoor design products. Exhibition curators are Wendy Van Deusen, Associate Curator; Jack Lenor Larsen, co-curator; Sherri Donghia, co-curator; and Elizabeth Lear, co-curator.
In honor of the exhibition, the Hearst Design Group has teamed up with the LongHouse Reserve to put on an Instagram challenge, asking visitors to post pictures and videos on Instagram (by July 5) using the hashtag #HearstLovesLongHouse. Hearst Design Group editors will select their favorite entries, which will appear on the Hearst Design Group websites and will also be featured at the July 19 "White Hot and Blue 2" gala honoring Cindy Sherman and Agnes Gund at LongHouse.
Throughout May and June, LongHouse and the EXTERIORS exhibition are open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. In July and August, open days are Wednesday through Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $10, $8 for seniors. Reservations are required (631-329-3568). The gala on Saturday, July 19, begins at 6:00 p.m. and tickets must be purchased in advance. (133 Hands Creek Rd, East Hampton)
Holiday House Hamptons (June 29-August 10), Sag Harbor
Holiday House Hamptons is gearing up for its second show house, set to take place this summer in partnership with HC&G (Hamptons Cottages & Gardens) at a new location—the Watchcase in Sag Harbor.
This year’s designers include Thom Filicia, Bjornen Design, Brady Design, Campion Platt, Dale Cohen Studio, Elizabeth Dow Home, Elsa Soyars Interior Design, Huniford Design, Milly de Cabrol LTD, Tamara Magel Home, Scott Formby, Studio MRS, Vicente Wolf and West Chin Architects & Interior Designers.
The Holiday House Hamptons Opening Night White Gala will take place on the evening of Saturday, June 28, kicking off an array of events to take place during the six weeks the show house is open to the public.
The house is open Sunday, June 29, through Sunday, August 10, from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily. Tickets will go on sale in the next few weeks. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Hampton Designer Showhouse (July 19 – September 1), Bridgehampton
More than 25 top interior designers and decorative artists will transform Traditional Home’s annual Hampton Designer Showhouse benefitting Southampton Hospital. Mario Buatta is the Honorary Showhouse Chairman, and Jamie Drake and Alexa Hampton are the Honorary Design Co-Chairmen. Stay tuned for the announcement of the designers.
The show house opens with a Gala Preview Cocktail Party on Saturday, July 19, from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
The house will be open to the public Sunday, July 20, through Labor Day, Monday, September 1. Showhouse hours are Monday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Admission to the Showhouse is $35 and includes the Showhouse Journal. Gala tickets are $225 each. (408 Pauls Lane in Bridgehampton)
HC&G Innovation in Design Awards (August 7), East Hampton
Each year, HC&G (Hamptons Cottages & Gardens) hosts the Innovation in Design Awards celebrating one individual who has achieved an overarching level of innovation and excellence in the industry, as well as top interior designers, architects and landscape designers from the Hamptons. The year’s Innovator is Madeline Weinrib.
Entries are being accepted through June 3. The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges including Jennifer Mabley, Austin Handler, Robert Passal, Christiane Lemieux, Alison Spear and Matthey Patrick Smyth.
The event takes place at the Guild Hall (158 Main Street, East Hampton). Visit the website for additional information and to purchase tickets.
North See Vintage Seasonal Shop (now through August), Southampton
New this season, the North See Vintage shop is the brainchild of Frank Cassata and Kevin Calica, two designers who decided to sell their private trove of vintage textiles and American collectibles. The shop features Andrew Martin furniture as well as antique and vintage textiles from Frank Cassata Designs, all styled by Calica. All items are available for immediate sale off the floor.
The shop is open beginning this weekend through August. Call 917-544-0947 for additional information and store hours. (675 North Sea Road, Southampton)
AERIN Seasonal Store (now through January), Southampton
The AERIN seasonal concept store, which debuted last year in Southampton, is open again for the summer starting this weekend. The store features AERIN Home decorative accessories and candles, Vladimir flowers, AERIN for Lenox tabletop, AERIN for Lee Jofa pillows, footwear, beach totes, beach hats and more.
AERIN is located at 83 Main Street in the Village of Southampton. Store hours are Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The store will be open through January.
