“As an expat from Sydney I’ve always lived in the city, but within walking distance of the beach.  Now I live in Gramercy Park four days a week and then escape to the Hamptons on Thursday nights,” shares Sag Harbor designer Daniel Richards [below]. “Being close to the beach & being able to swim on a regular basis is really important to me and the Hamptons offers so many options for this.”  Daniel shares his wonderful whaling cottage in Sag Harbor in this NEW KDHamptons At-Home Diary, below:

KDHamptons: What made you choose Sag Harbor as your Hamptons home?

Daniel Richards: After testing the water and renting for many years my partner Michael & I finally made the jump and purchased a historic whaling cottage in the village of Sag Harbor.We looked at most of the villages, but Sag Harbor really resonated with us. There’s such incredible charm in conjunction with great restaurants and cafés – all within walking distance. It’s also centrally located between Southampton, Bridgehampton and East Hampton if we want to visit friends or explore other beaches.

KDHamptons: How old is your cottage? What was your renovation process like?  

Daniel Richards: Our cottage dates back to 1840 and retains many of its original features & quirks.  As the designer and owner of the house, I’ve worked hard to maintain the integrity of the building and its vernacular architecture.  I’ve designed a minimally intrusive renovation whilst endeavoring to bring the structure and interior up to a very comfortable standard.  The house is small by Hamptons standards – approximately 1800 SF, although we are planning a renovation of the ground floor to include a new master bedroom & ensuite opening onto the garden.  This will add another 700 SF to the existing square footage.

KDHamptons: What inspired your design for your home?  Would you say there is an identifiable trend in Hamptons design right now?

Daniel Richards: In Sydney, beach houses are relaxed and very informal – I wanted to maintain that feeling.  All of the materials are very simple and honest: bleached oak, blackened steel, white marble and Belgian linens.  The colour palette for the house is neutral – something I find relaxing. I  work with colour all day for clients, so this provides a calming change.

Daniel Richards: Design in the Hamptons is starting to loosen up: gardens are less fussy and interiors are still sophisticated but more relaxed.  My approach to design is always to blur the line between inside & out – creating a seamless transition that allows the owners to enjoy their garden as much as their homes interior.

KDHamptons: Did you find many pieces from Hamptons shops? Which ones?

Daniel Richards: I love shopping in the Hamptons! There is so many good stores – selling covetable vintage pieces as well as contemporary. Some of my favourites include: JanGeorge [below], Monc XIII, Ruby Beets, Wyeth and Sage Street Antiques. I also find it virtually impossible to leave Comerford Collection in Bridgehampton without an armful of new architecture books!

KDHamptons: Which is your favorite room and item in your home? 

Daniel Richards: My favourite room is my studio in the garden.  It has the most incredible light and is very peaceful.  There are French doors on two sides opening up to the garden allowing both the breeze and the sound of the local church bells in.  I really enjoy so many pieces in the house so it’s difficult to pick a favorite.  It would have to be between the charcoal line drawings by the artist Camie Lyon and the fossilized whale vertebrae in the living room.

KDHamptons: Any current projects or summer plans to share?

Daniel Richards: I have a number of exciting projects happening – I’m about to start work on a large garden in North Haven for a good friend and then my partner and I are in the process of closing on an investment house in Sag Harbor.  It’s another historic house that we are looking to renovate, extend and add a great garden with pool and pool pavilion.  It’s very exciting to be your own client as it allows you to experiment and take more risks!  As for summer plans – I’m aiming to spend as much time as possible out East.  We’re also talking about taking a quick trip to Havana or Tulum.

KDHamptons: What does a perfect Hamptons day look like to you? 

Daniel Richards: Hmmm – it would go something like this:

– First up, double espresso! I make it at home and I need this to start functioning
– Bike ride or a trip to one of the local beaches (Sagg Main is a favourite!)
– Local farmers markets for fresh produce + Cavaniola’s to stock up on cheese and wine for later in the day
– Lunch is typically care of Harbor Market – eaten on our terrace
– I ride in the afternoon as often as possible.  Alex Talmage is my incredibly talented and patient trainer at Toppings Riding Club in Sagaponack
– Home for a quick nap in the hammock
– then time to start prepping for dinner
– Friday night we eat out (Tutto il Giorno, Beacon or Maidstone), but Saturday evening we always invite friends for dinner and drinks

* For more information on Daniel Richards Design llc, go to:
c: 917 445 7202; daniel@danielrichardsdesign.com
www.danielrichardsdesign.com