By Elisabeth Brigham By Elisabeth Brigham | October 15, 2024 | Home & Real Estate, Home & Real Estate Feature, Home & Real Estate,
SISSY+MARLEY Interiors re-imagines a whimsical Water Mill retreat.
Floor-to-ceiling windows illuminate the home’s soft living room.
THE PROJECT
After bouncing to and from Hamptons homes each summer, these longtime New Yorkers were itching for a place to call their own on the East End: Cue the 9,000-square-foot abode hidden deep within Water Mill’s rolling hills and lush greenery. And, with three projects already under their belt (think a gut renovation of their NYC duplex and lavish lake house), it was an easy decision to once again join forces with SISSY+MARLEY Interiors owners and principal designers Chelsea Reale and Diana Rice for the home’s redesign. “We love working with this family, and the fact that this is our fourth project together is clear that the love is mutual,” shares Reale about the family of four. “It’s a dream to have clients who fully trust your creative process and hand over the details to you.”
Unique lettered artwork draws the eye in the office. “It was so fun filling this house with beautiful art from some of our favorite artists, local and around the world,” says principal designer Chelsea Reale
THE PRIORITY
When asked about the project’s priority, Reale’s answer is quick: “To create a beautiful forever home for our clients to enjoy with friends and family—a home that celebrated the rich horse farms it was built around, the love of art and the appreciation for good design.” The home, which overlooks broad views over a celebrity horse farm and more than 80 acres of reserve, tapped into its equestrian roots for a whimsical and rich aesthetic than runs throughout each space. “While this house was a classic Hamptons shingle on a beautiful piece of property on a celebrity horse farm, the interior was dated and quite dreary,” she says. “It was up to our team to transform this classic beauty into the thoroughbred she was meant to be.”
The team’s expert millwork is on full display in the entryway.
THE CHALLENGE
Like most Hamptonites, a summer move-in date was a nonnegotiable. After closing on the home in January, the SISSY+MARLEY team put it in high gear, partnering with crème de la crème builders, contractors and businesses around the East End. “While most projects have the luxury of time on their side, this one did not, and working with clients who trust you in making important decisions was key in allowing us to work our magic,” Reale shares. “Because the house was to be furnished from scratch and many cosmetic renovations were needed prior to move-in, our team needed to move quickly to make it happen. Our team designed and presented to the clients quickly, and with one presentation we were ready to place orders and get this project in motion.”
The dining room fuses a serene color palette with natural design details
THE STRATEGY
“With our priorities in place and a plan mapped out, we quickly got the ball rolling with painting the home with our signature crisp white walls,” Reale explains. Up next? Th e team bleached and stained the high-polished dark floors with their custom formula, painted over the yellowed walls and sprinkled in some masterfully executed millwork. “Millwork is always an important detail of every project we design, and this was no exception,” she says. Blurring the lines between design and build, the project required quite a few custom details that allowed the home to breathe—while remaining beautiful and balanced. “Building out the home theater, gym and outdoor bath; turning the garage into a professional-level basketball court; and adding a custom outdoor kitchen for entertaining are just a few of the custom pieces to the project that had to be planned out quickly in order to meet the deadline.”
Stunning Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances complement the kitchen’s array of subtle furnishings, from sand-toned bar stool and woven dining chairs to the crisp white table. “Each piece for this project was carefully curated and chosen for its craftsmanship, beauty and uniqueness,” shares Reale. “We have to love every piece that we specify for a project or it doesn’t go in.”
THE DETAILS
When it came time to decorate, the team leaned heavily into an airy and artful aesthetic. “Our clients come to this home to retreat from their busy lives in the city, so a soft but rich color palette was where we started,” Reale explains. “We added lots of texture and mixed materials throughout to add depth and interest. Each piece of furniture is a piece of art in and of itself; the craftsmanship and details are all unique. Many of the pieces in this home were handmade with love from local artists in the New York Hudson Valley area.” She continues, “Crisp white walls are the backdrop to a well-curated selection of art from artists Bradley Duncan, Moses Nadel, Chris Baas, Thomas Gromas, John Aaron Frank, Alexandra Kohl and Abigail Booth.”
THE OUTDOORS
With sprawling lawns surrounding the home, you can only imagine that the exteriors were just as grand as the interiors. “The long winding road leading to the main entrance feels grand and lets you know you have arrived to a very special place, and the grounds in the back of the house look out into the celebrity-owned horse farm in the distance,” Reale shares. “It’s a very peaceful space with lots of privacy, which was one of the reasons our clients fell in love with it.” To make it entertaining-ready, the team added a bevy of outdoor furniture to lounge and dine, as well as a state-of-the-art custom kitchen, perfect for alfresco dining and large summer soirees.
A perfect spot for entertaining, the backyard features a private pool, ample room to lounge and an expansive kitchen—all overlooking Water Mill’s endless farmland
THE OUTCOME
“If Nancy Meyers is looking for a location home for her next movie, we think this one has all the right ingredients to be a showstopper,” jokes Reale. “You really want to move right in the minute you walk in the door.” With no stone unturned, Reale’s signature touch is thoughtfully woven throughout each space—creating a harmonious blend of history from the original property with modern and innovative pieces fine-tuned for the family’s unique characteristics. “We are forever grateful for these clients who have trusted us with three of their homes. They did not go to one store to see anything, try anything or make a single change to our vision for each of their homes. That is the level of trust they have in our firm and team and we are forever grateful for clients like these. Knowing our clients are loving their new home, entertaining and truly enjoying the space means everything for us.”
TYPE
Single-family home
LOCATION
Water Mill
INTERIOR DESIGNER
SISSY+MARLEY Interiors
sissyandmarley.com
ARCHITECT AND BUILDER
Farrell Companies
thefarrellcompanies.com
INTERIOR ARCHITECT
Studio Ater
studioater.com
CARPENTER, ELECTRICIAN AND PLUMBING
North Haven Builders
northhaven.builders
Benjamin Moore
White paint throughout
benjaminmoore.com
The Shade Store
Curtains and blinds throughout
theshadestore.com
Ciuffo Cabinetry
Kitchen cabinets
ciuffocabinetry.com
Sub-Zero and Wolf
Kitchen appliances
subzero-wolf.com
B&B Italia
Family room sofa
shop.bebitalia.com
BDDW
Living room sofa
bddw.com
RH
Theater sofa and outdoor furniture
rh.com
John Michael Kitchens
Outdoor kitchen
johnmichael.studio
Photography by: PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARCO RICCA