“I would say my decorating style is influenced by the gracious country houses found in Locust Valley, on the North Shore of Long Island where I was raised,” shares Hamptons designer Tom Samet. Unafraid of color, pattern, and texture, Samet creates spaces that are not only beautifully layered, but are also livable for families with children and pets and are easy to entertain in. Widely known as one of the most coveted decorators on the East End for decades, Tom currently lives and works with his partner Nathan Wold at their design firm, Hamptons House Design, in East Hampton.  Learn more about HHD in this NEW KDHamptons Design Diary, below: 

KDHamptons: Tell us about your new project which was recently featured on the East Hampton Historical Society House tour [above]?

Tom & Nathan: The property includes a barn-style cottage with a smaller Cape Cod style guest cottage off of Main Street in Amagansett. The exteriors of the cottages include traditional Hamptons design elements like Cedar shingle siding and bluestone terraces. The interiors of the cottages are also traditional in design, but are updated and uncluttered for easy family living. The main cottage includes all of the amenities of a larger home, including a lower level media and game room with generous storage, outdoor covered living area with a fireplace, and a master suite with a marble shower, large soaking tub, walk-in closet, and a south-facing decked balcony. The small cottage easily accommodates five guests and has a dining area that seats at least eight. Both cottages have generous ceiling heights in the main living and dining areas which make the spaces feel larger than they actually are.

KDHamptons: What would you say is the current trend in Hamptons design?

Tom & Nathan: We are currently most often asked to create rooms for multiples uses. The trend of open concept floor plans has us designing what we call “the one room you’ll ever need.” This includes an open kitchen with counter-top seating for casual dining, a dining area with an expandable dining table for a large group, a seating area around a fireplace and TV that is comfortable for 2 -10 people, and a cozy nook to settle down with a book or catch up on some emails at. We also like to include a few chairs that can easily be pulled into the mix.

KDHamptons: What are three items or design elements every Hamptons home should have?

Tom & Nathan: Every Hamptons home should include a generous dining table to host large groups of family and friends, a comfortable sofa long enough to stretch out on for a nap, and well-appointed outdoor living spaces to enjoy the beauty of the Hamptons.

KDHamptons: What does your personal Hamptons home decor look like?

Tom & Nathan: Our home is designed with comfort and entertaining in mind. We like to use a neutral color palette, but incorporate lots of texture like sisal rugs, decorative painted walls in a strie style, burlap draperies trimmed with classic Greek key tape, and our favorite wall covering from Nobilis, which is a perfect imitation of solid wood and even has a slight relief to it. We put together furniture in multiple seating areas and add chairs that can be easily moved. Colors are introduced through interesting pillows, lampshades, accessories, and art.

KDHamptons: What are your three favorite design resources in the Hamptons?

Tom & Nathan: We love to return again and again to Sage Street Antiques in Sag Harbor. The inventory is always changing and we rarely leave without an unique accessory or two, a vintage book, or a stack of interesting china.

Elizabeth Dow Home in East Hampton has perfectly edited furniture and accessories that all have some sort of texture and depth that we love. We are also able to create custom furniture and wallpapers with her talented team.

L’OBJET a la Plage in Southampton is a much-needed addition to the Hamptons retail scene. The hand-crafted tabletop collections and accessories have an “international flair” to them and we are always able to find the most chic pieces to finish a project. It’s also the perfect place to find a unique gift for your Hamptons host or hostess.

KDHamptons: Share a favorite current project?

Tom & Nathan: We are currently working on a historically registered home renovation for a long-time client in Palm Beach. We are incorporating furnishings and art from three prior homes, keeping mindful of a tropical palette, and engaging top tier artisans and contractors to fulfill our clients’ vision for an elegant, comfortable, family home.  We also maintain projects in the Hamptons, Locust Valley, New York City, Short Hills, NJ, Palm Beach, and Hobe Sound, FL.

* For more information please go to: Hamptons House Design, or email info@hamptonshousedesign.com