A kick-off Cocktail Party on the evening of Friday, November 23^rd, welcomed in the highly anticipated East Hampton House & Garden Tour. This annual event, now in its 34^th year, was held at the historical Maidstone Club (above), ringing in the East End holiday season in style. Here’s a look at my favorite homes from the tour and party pix from the cocktail party.  (party photos by Richard Lewin). 

The Cocktail Party was well attended by history buffs, local dignitaries, architects, interior designers, home enthusiasts, and design aficionados. Distinguished guests included Jessie Della Femina, Media Sponsor HC&G’s Kendell Cronstrom, Alejandro Saralegui, and Pamela Eldridge, Luxury Lifestyle Blogger Kelli Delaney, Architect Ted Porter, Actor Maulik Pancholy, Designer Barbara Ostrom, and East Hampton Historical Society Board of Trustees members, including President Arthur (Tiger) Graham, James Blauvelt, Jim Oxnam, Barbara Borsack, and Dale Ellen Leff.

 The following day, the East Hampton Historical Society hosted the 2018 House & Garden Tour, showcasing some of the finest examples of architecture in the Hamptons.  From Sea to Bay and South-of-the-Highway, this year’s tour – comprised of five noteworthy homes & gardens – offered a one-time-only glimpse inside some of East Hampton’s most storied residences.  With over 600 attendees, the East Hampton House & Garden Tour enjoyed the biggest attendance in their 34 year history. 

 “The House & Garden Tour is one of our most important fundraisers,” said Event Chairman Joseph Aversano, “and all proceeds will support the East Hampton Historical Society’s museums and programs”.

Inspired by an exclusive Adirondack resort, custom-built residence sited among majestic, towering white pine trees offers enchanting entertaining spaces with a magnificent great hall, stunning formal dining room, and multiple outdoor flagstone patios.

Situated on Bluff Road, overlooking the Atlantic, this spectacular Modern house has been infused with warmth, color, and the design aesthetic of renowned interior designer David Netto. To very loosely paraphrase Winston Churchill, this is the lesson: “Never, never, never settle for a boring house. Respect the box, but never let modernism harden into a doctrine that stops people from being comfortable or from living the way they want to.”

Affectionately named by designer Jessie Della Femina, “Salty Dog” is her answer to the challenge of building a new, modern home that looks like it belongs with the quaint cottages that have dotted Wainscott for centuries. It has been designed to be traditional and unassuming in style – both inside and out – but with modern amenities and technology. Ms. Della Femina is an avid estate sale visitor with a passion for recovering, repainting and restoring the items she finds.

Website: www.easthamptonhistory.org; 631-324-6850