Peace and LOVE

In the Hamptons, a designer created a calm and curated home that her family has fallen in love with

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He was the hardest client I've ever had,' says New York interior designer Hilary Matt of her husband, David, who was 'very involved' in one of her latest projects - a year-round vacation home for her family (two boys, one dog) in a convenient and charming hamlet in the Hamptons. The process wasn't easy-breezy. Her husband had opinions. But luckily he shared the same vision as Hilary: for a beachy, cosy, liveable home for peaceful escapes from NYC. After a handful of debates on things such as kitchen worktops (in the end, Hilary got her pick after sending him off to the stone yard), the result was very much on brand. 'My house really embodies my own personal style, but it also showcases how Hilary Matt Interiors decorates for clients,' she says. 'A very user-friendly, family-friendly space that stands the test of time.'

The ranch-style house, complete with an upstairs extension and a large garden, was a manageable size and required only a few clever updates. 'The exterior of the house was very orange, so we power washed the whole outside to get a lighter colour,' says Hilary of the original wood cladding. After the back patio was expanded and an old shingle roof was replaced with sleek black metal – window frames were painted to match – you'd be fooled into thinking it was a new build.