You can't go wrong with a Hamptons style beach house in Sydney's Northern Beaches...
A Hamptons style beach house suits Sydney’s Northern Beaches climate and location perfectly. That chic, sophisticated Hamptons style aesthetic paired with our own unique laid-back and carefree Aussie beach house style.
We chatted to Bill Derrin from Action Plans in Manly to gain his expert advice on how to design an Australian Hamptons styled beach house and what the key features are of this design style.
Main Features of a Hamptons Style Beach House
1. The Weatherboard look cladding
A weatherboard cladd finish is almost essential to the Hamptons style beach house look.
Weatherboard cladding can now be duplicated with more modern materials which require lower maintenance and have better weathering qualities. Both JamesHardie Linea Weatherboards and the vertical Axon Cladding are popular types suited to a coastal inspired Hamptons look.
2. A Gable Roof
One of the most distinguishable characteristics of a Hamptons-inspired home is an elegant gable roof.
With its traditional nautical ‘boatshed’ appearance, this architecture feature exudes laid-back coastal appeal and, alongside weatherboard cladding, boasts clean, linear lines. Inside, a gable roof promotes higher indoor ceilings, which can open up a room and create a feeling of spaciousness.
3. Window Trims & Window Grids
A Hamptons style beach house is one that is flooded with as much natural light as possible to emulate those endless summer vibes. And if you have a view, you’ll certainly want to capitalise on it with large windows!
When you’re looking to accentuate your Hamptons exterior weatherboard, you can’t go past window trims. These thick, timber-look accents add much-needed definition to the windows. Adding a chunky window trim like JamesHardie Axent Trim will add a touch of Hamptons style.
To really embrace Hamptons style, windows with a grid pattern will give your interior and exterior that ornamental touch without compromising on any natural light flow. If a whole window grid pattern is too busy for your liking, you can add a top-row grid style, also known as fractional grids. As the name suggests, this window style only has a grid row at the top of the window, leaving the remainder of the windowpane unobstructed.
4. French & Stackable Doors
French doors certainly have their place in a Hamptons style home. French doors installed in an upstairs balcony, patio or indoor/outdoor room will not only add a classic elegance to the look of your home but also flood your interiors with an abundance of natural light – a hallmark of true Hamptons style living.
Stacking doors are another addition that can open up your indoors to the outdoors with one fell push. Unlike French doors, stacking doors give you complete unobstructed views to the outdoors and are particularly beneficial when creating a seamless flow between your interior and exterior living spaces. You can read more about stacking doors vs bifold doors here.
5. Servery Window
Hamptons style homes are all about the indoor / outdoor living with an endless summer in mind. This is achieved with large windows, open-planned indoor/outdoor rooms and outdoor kitchens. Another way to blur your interior with your exterior is with a servery window.
A servery window is an extension of the kitchen whereby the kitchen bench extends out to an adjoining outdoor entertaining area through a bi-fold window, creating a kitchen servery. Aside from being a very convenient way to access the kitchen when entertaining, serveries create even more of an open and airy living space that’s synonymous with luxurious Hamptons style living.
If you would like more information on any of the above or would like to discuss the design of your renovation or building project with Bill and his team of talented Building Designers at Action Plans, then please contact 0403 957 518 or check out their listing here.
For more goodness and advice on renovations or design inspiration check out our articles here
OR get social with our amazing FB community