14 Hamptons Insiders Dish On The Best Spots & More
INSIDE SCOOP
HARRIET MAXWELL MACDONALD Cofounder and Creative Director of Ochre
What’s your go-to shopping destination? I always head to Sag Harbor for a little post-yoga wander, particularly Bloom for its immaculate styling and products. Then I’ll pop into Monc XIII. Recent splurge: Ochre’s beach-pebble lights, designed recently with our beach home in mind, and a vintage tub chair. What’s on your summer wish list? Peace and quiet, although I’m not sure that is possible with three children. What artist is on your radar? The paintings of Alessandra Taccia. My husband gave me one of her still lifes as a birthday present. Best-kept secret in the area: The Walking Dunes Trail between Amagansett and Montauk–a perfect family walk. What would you have as your last meal in the Hamptons? Fresh bay scallops and produce from the Sylvester Manor farmstand on my deck, looking at the view.
BENNETT LEIFER Owner of Bennett Leifer Interiors
What’s your go-to shopping destination? Neo Studio in Sag Harbor. The store is full of soulful and unique pieces, and the owner, Jean Yves, is so kind and welcoming. What’s the best town for design finds? Southampton has a great stretch of shopping, including One Kings Lane, L’Objet and Homenature. Peppered with some of my favorite Hamptons restaurants, this town makes for the best shopping experience. What would you have as your last meal? For so many reasons, Tutto il Giorno in Southampton–ideally in the garden. If you ask nicely, they will make a delicious spicy tomato sauce (one of my favorites). Who is an artist on your radar? Miya Ando. Her work is ethereal and beautiful in any home style or setting. What’s in your beach bag? My “book of the moment”–ranging from history to science to fiction–sunglasses and headphones for an impromptu beach run.
ALEXANDER YULISH Artist
Favorite Beach: Atlantic Beach. The Beach Hut is a concession stand where kids line up, dripping with ice cream and carrying take-out food in thin cardboard boxes–it’s a scene right out of a 1950s beach movie. What’s in your beach bag? Warning: I carry a big straw bag from Kirna Zabete so I have a lot of room. In it is Amly face mist, Soleil Toujours SPF20 sunscreen, Smith & Cult lip gloss from Knockout Beauty in Bridgehampton, Kerastase Aura Botanica hair mist, dog treats, a Game On juice from Juice Press, my rad gold Kaenon shades, a big ole’ straw hat and, hopefully, my car keys. Unless, of course, it’s 5:00, and I am heading to a wine tasting. Recent Splurge: A Robert August What I Ride longboard. Artist On Your Radar: Gwen O’Neil. Her ethereal photographs are reminiscent of delicate abstract paintings. Latest Hot Spot: My friend, Stratis Morfogen, is reopening the Jue Lan Club in Southampton.
HEADSHOTS: MACDONALD, COURTESY OCHRE; LEIFER, MARCO RICCA; YULISH, TIMOTHY GREENFIELD-SANDERS. BEACH PEBBLE LIGHT PHOTO: COURTESY OCHRE. MONC XIII PHOTO: RIKKI SNYDER. LITO PLATES PHOTO: COURTESY L’OBJET. MARDERS PHOTO: DOUG YOUNG. BRUNELLO CUCINELLI SCARVES PHOTO: COURTESY BRUNELLOCUCINELLI.COM.
GEOFFREY ZAKARIAN Chef and restaurateur, The Lambs Club
What’s your favorite beach in the Hamptons? I center everything around food in my life, so I love the Bridgehampton Beach because I stop at Pierre’s Market on Sagg Main before heading to the sand. What’s a visit to the beach without the right food? Latest hot spot: Duryea’s is hard to beat for an outdoor afternoon of lobster with friends. Best-kept secret in the Hamptons: Sammy’s Beach. Your most memorable meal on the island? My friend Marc Murphy has an incredible Grillworks grill at his home, and he made these amazing roast chickens one night. It is hard to beat that! What’s in your beach bag? Hampton Sun sunscreen, The Wall Street Journal’s Off Duty section, a Turkish towel I bought in St. Barts and, usually, a few toys for the kids. What’s your go-to host gift? My new Zakarian Pro for Home Sous Vide, of course!
JOHN MEADOW Founder and President of LDV Hospitality
Recent splurge: A vintage walnut Danish desk from the ’60s for my daughter Grace. What’s on your summer wish list? A pair of Tuuci Ocean Master Max pool umbrellas. Latest hot spot: Gurney’s Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina. Who is an artist on your radar? Domingo Zapata. He has a larger-than-life personality that truly shines through his art. Favorite restaurant in the Hamptons: Of course, Scarpetta Beach at Gurney’s. But apart from that, my family go-to is Dopo la Spiaggia in Sag Harbor. Hidden gem on the island: The best pies in the world are from Babinski’s Farm Stand in Bridgehampton. Memorable neighborhood meal: Nothing beats a barbecue at home with great local food from Serene Greene, Peconic Prime Meats and the Clamman Seafood Market. What’s in your beach bag? A Kadima beach paddle set and bottle of Whispering Angel rose.
CATHY B. GRAHAM Artist, Fashion Illustrator and Author of Second Bloom: Cathy Graham’s Art of the Table
Recent splurge: I love summer dresses. One of my favorites is a Luisa Beccaria green-and-cream striped long cotton shirtdress that goes perfect with a straw hat. Artist on your radar: One of my all-time favorite Hamptons painters is Fairfield Porter. His paintings evoke the beauty and serenity of a Hamptons summer day. What’s in your beach bag? The strongest sunscreen known to man. I’m still hoping to find a bathing cap that actually keeps your hair dry–then, I might even go in the water above my waist. What’s your go-to host gift? A Second Bloom candle. But if I’m not into shameless self-promotion, then I give a delicious bag of tiny chocolates shaped to look like pebbles on the beach. You can find them at Elements in Chicago–they ship all over the country.
HEADSHOTS: ZAKARIAN, STEFANIE JASPER; MEADOW, COURTESY LDV HOSPITALITY; GRAHAM, QUENTIN BACON. GURNEY’S MONTAUK YACHT CLUB RESORT & MARINA PHOTO: COURTESY GURNEY’S MONTAUK YACHT CLUB RESORT & MARINA. INDIA AMORY PHOTO: JULIA AMORY. SECOND BLOOM PHOTO: COURTESY CATHY B. GRAHAM. WHISPERING ANGEL PHOTO: CHATEAU D’ESCLANS. HAMPTON SUN PHOTO: HAMPTONSUNCARE.COM.
Clockwise from center: Shoshanna dress; Robin du Plessis’s Egg Series from Ruby Beets; Maria Kohler vase from Laurin Copen Antiques; Deer at Dawn by Zoe Breen; India Hicks Uber Mist; Joey Wölffer mini tote.
SHOSHANNA GRUSS Founder and Creative Director of Shoshanna
Go-to shopping destination: Joey Wolffer’s shop. Her style is beachy, bohemian, eclectic and beautiful–just like the Hamptons. Favorite beach: Main Beach is so much fun because of the snack shops and I’m always running into friends there, but my favorites are the bay beaches in Sag Harbor and Napeague–they’re the most fun for clamming, fishing and shelling. On your summer wish list: I want to read, sleep and relax with my three children by the water. After a full school year, it’s very much needed. Where can we find you at 5 p.m. on a Friday? Sitting on the deck with a great book, watching my kids play in the pool and waiting for the beautiful sunset I have the privilege of seeing every night. What’s in your beach bag? Ray-Bans, books, goggles from Little Circus for my kids, sunscreen, random shells and sea glass, and of course a Shoshanna cover-up and extra bikinis.
NATHAN TURNER Owner of Nathan Turner, Inc.
What’s your go-to shopping destination? Laurin Copen Antiques, Ruby Beets, R.E. Steele and Serena & Lily, among others. Favorite beach in the Hamptons? Beach Lane in Wainscott. What’s your favorite local design trend? I’m not a big trend guy. Give me Hamptons traditional any day. What is the quintessential island locale? Breadzilla–I love the jalapeno tuna sandwich. The latest hot spot: I’m not sure… I’m a total homebody geek! What would you have as your last meal in the Hamptons? A lobster roll from The Lobster Roll in Amagansett. Where can we find you at 5 p.m. on a Friday? Probably still on the beach. What’s in your beach bag? Sunscreen, even though I’m tanorexic, and my pal India Hicks’ Uber Mist. What’s your go-to host gift? A bottle of Casamigos. I like to bring a little California to the Hamptons.
MARY MCDONALD Owner of Mary McDonald Inc.
The best town for design finds? East Hampton has The Monogram Shop, Hampton Gather and Les Toiles Du Soleil. Bridgehampton has Laurin Copen Antiques for great midcentury finds and antiques. Favorite design trend in the Hamptons? Painted floors. I’m also excited to see new houses that are reminiscent of old East Hampton estates. What is the quintessential Hamptons locale? The East Hampton Library for Author’s Night. This summer, my friend Nathan Turner will be a featured writer. Artists on your radar: A client of mine just bought a Grant Haffner painting. Another client has a David Demers abstract painting that adds brightness to her dining room. I also like Zoe Breen’s work on large canvases, but she has recently focused on photography and has great pictures of nature in East Hampton.
HEADSHOTS: GRUSS, DOUG HOLT; TURNER, COURTESY NATHAN TURNER, INC., MCDONALD, NINELLE EFREMOVA. JOEY WOLFFER TOTE PHOTO: ESME YOZELL. SHOSHANNA DRESS PHOTO: DOUG HOLT. EGG SERIES PHOTO: COURTESY RUBYBEETS.COM. UBER MIST PHOTO: COURTESY INDIA HICKS. DEER AT DAWN PHOTO: COURTESY THE WHITE ROOM GALLERY. MARIA KOHLER VASE PHOTO: LAVON RETTIG.
STEPHANIE NASS Founder of Chefanie
What’s your go-to shopping destination? My mother’s closet. What is the quintessential Hamptons locale? Bonfire on the beach. Tell us an artist on your radar: My friend Katie Rodgers. She creates balletic Shadow Dancers in a variety of whimsical media. Best-kept secret in the Hamptons: Florence Fabricant’s Sunday chef series at Guild Hall. What would you have as your last meal on the island? A big dinner at home, alfresco, cooked with local ingredients, served with Wolffer rose and attended by the best people. Where can we find you at 5 p.m. on a Friday? Poolside with my brother plotting our Stephen Talkhouse takeover. What’s in your beach bag? Pellegrino, a deck of cards and fried chicken from Round Swamp Farm. Go-to host gift: A cake decorated with Chefanie Sheets.
ROBERT STILIN Principal of Robert Stilin, LLC
Go-to shopping destination: Two of my favorites include Stellar Union and JED. Favorite recent splurge: I purchased a piece of art by Antony Cairns from Roman Road in London to hang over my bed in the Hamptons. Latest hot spot: The beach will always be the best place to be in the Hamptons. Who is the ultimate local insider? Vintage furniture dealer Russ Steele is always in the know about the Hamptons scene. Best-kept secret on the island: I love going to Harbor Market & Kitchen in Sag Harbor, which is tucked away on a neighborhood street, so it is off the beaten path. They have the best kitchen-sink cookies. What are your beach accessories? My favorite beach bag is the camo print bag from Tomas Maier, which I fill with the latest magazines, sunscreen, water and my striped James Perse beach towel.
VICENTE WOLF OWNER OF VICENTE WOLF ASSOCIATES AND VW HOME
Go-to shopping destination: Yard sales for the most interesting items. Favorite recent splurge? A new car for the drive back and forth. On your summer wish list: Run every day, and be in the garden as much as possible. Quintessential island locale: For me, it’s the East Hampton theater. Latest hot spot? Eleven Madison Park. Artist on your radar: Steve Miller. Who is the ultimate local insider? Gary DePersia. What would you have as your last meal in the Hamptons? Fresh seafood from the fish market at Gosman’s Dock. Where can we find you at 5 p.m. on a Friday? In the garden. What’s in your beach bag? My straw basket from Borneo usually holds a vintage Hermes towel, sunblock and a bottle of prosecco. Go-to host gift: Salt and pepper handblown shakers from Les Toiles Du Soleil in East Hampton.
HEADSHOTS: NASS, COURTESY STEPHANIE NASS; STILIN, RICHARD PHIBBS; WOLF, JULIEN CAPMEIL. ADRIAN PEARSALL CHAIR AND IRON SCULPTURE PHOTOS: STELLAR UNION. HOP #592 PHOTO: COURTESY STEVE MILLER AND SARA NIGHTINGALE GALLERY. CHEFANIE SHEETS CAKE PHOTO: COURTESY STEPHANIE NASS.
ALEX GUARNASCHELLI Chef and Author
Favorite design trend in the Hamptons: The mix of modern and traditional. People want to enjoy how their house looks and also be able to actually use it. I owe a lot of that functional elegance to kitchen wizard Bob Bakes of Bakes & Kropp. Where can we find you at 5 p.m. on a Friday? In all honesty, I might be at Grindstone Coffee & Donuts in Sag Harbor having an unconventional afternoon snack or at La Fondita in Amagansett knee-deep in guacamole and chips. What’s in your beach bag? Six gallons of sunblock (I turn into a sun-drenched tomato in 2 minutes flat), a book I’ve never read, a pack of Butter Rum Lifesavers (I love the taste of them mixed with the salt air of the beach), a large towel that’s been washed many times, sunglasses, small goggles (because I like to pretend I can see underwater when swimming in four feet of water) and a hat, another hat and a scarf. I fear and love the sun!
KRISTEN FARRELL Founder and President of Kristen Farrell Home
Recent splurge: An Airstream, which I plan to customize and park at the nearest beach. On your summer wish list: Time at the beach watching my boys surf, tennis with my daughter, boating, bonfires and sunset cocktails. What is the latest hot spot? No doubt the new location of Moby’s opening at East Hampton Point. Who is the ultimate local insider? Gus Laggis at Candy Kitchen. He’s seen it all, heard it all and watches it all out that window. What’s in your beach bag? Luzern sunscreen from Hamptons 27 Salon, the latest issue of Luxe Interiors + Design (with corners folded down on favorite pages), my S’well water bottle, a Cynthia Rowley shorty wetsuit and Strength in Stillness by Bob Roth–all in a personalized Hamptons Totes canvas bag. What’s your go-to host gift? A basket of goodies from my garden, preserves and figs from the nearest farm stand and a Farrell Home candle.
VIRA CAPECI President of the Americas at Balenciaga
Top design trend in the Hamptons: The one I love the most is not a trend at all–the privet hedge. It’s a quintessential design element and a beautiful green alternative to fencing. Recent splurge: A kimono dress from Balenciaga. It makes me feel instantly put together and eccentric at the same time. Artist on your radar: Nancy Lorenz. I love her series of poured gold and platinum on burlap. We bought one recently, and it’s like having a large piece of jewelry in the living room. Best-kept secret in the Hamptons: The drive-in movie at Coopers Beach. My husband has a 1969 Cadillac convertible, and we love to load it up with pillows and blankets, pile in and watch a movie with the top down. Go-to host gift: The makings of an Aperol spritz: a bottle each of Aperol and prosecco, complete with an orange and a gorgeous cutting board.