A luxurious look at nineteen private houses in the Hamptons, Long Island’s exclusive summer retreat—with architecture, interiors, and gardens from celebrity designers including Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan, John Barman, Fox-Nahem, Thad Hayes, Tony Ingrao, Todd Merrill, Roman & Williams, and Joe d’Urso. These architects and interior designers are inspired by the island’s renowned natural beauty to create houses that set the global standards for oceanfront style. Today, that means thoughtful, modern, highly personalized structures that reference the East End’s rich history and are designed to enhance appreciation of the fabled seaside landscape. The properties range from shingled beach cottages to a redesigned 1840s barn and a sustainable, glass-walled guesthouse on pilings. They display a curated blend of traditional references with cutting-edge architecture and enviable art collections, finished by the South Fork’s famous light and ocean views. In some houses, a sense of calm pervades, and cozily appointed dining terraces with neutral color schemes look out over peaceful docks, while in others, vibrant midcentury modern accessories and outsize outdoor fireplaces point to frequent and exuberant pool parties. Whether they are decorated with natural materials and iconic 1950s and 1960s furniture from Charles Eames and Hans Wegner, or eighteenth-century antiques and industrial objects—all have been carefully selected to demonstrate the possibilities of authentic design in the Hamptons today.

“The Hamptons” is synonymous with luxury. Simply mentioning the name conjures images of poolside soirées, grandiose waterfront estates and endless days on the beach socializing with the upper echelon. But before this famed peninsula became the summer haunt of the glitterati, its forty miles of rolling sand dunes provided the perfect landscape for English settlers. Once New York high society caught wind of the charming hamlets and salty air, its members—from the Fords to the Vanderbilts—soon turned The Hamptons into a summer oasis. Next came the creatives seeking solitude, a place to write and sketch, away from the urban cacophony. John Steinbeck in Sag Harbor. Jackson Pollock in the Springs. And Andy Warhol in Montauk. Now, Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Calvin Klein, Madonna, Alec Baldwin and Martha Stewart all enjoy Hamptons homes. They may come from different realms, but what’s one thing all Hamptonites, honorary or official, can agree on? The locale boasts a unique allure—one that morphs to meet the desires of its next seasonal guest or lifelong dweller.

Originally published in the United States in slightly different form by Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House LLC, in 1989.

Classic and timeless, these exclusive homes recall the simple glamor of vintage Hamptons design. For every lavish, state-of-the-art, over-the-top home under construction in the Hamptons, there is an equally compelling, culturally significant home that has been restored and maintained its original designs. This fascinating glimpse inside these classic homes aims to capture the illustrious architecture and design of the Hamptons historic houses. Accompanied by architectural photographer Stanley Rumbough and Hamptons historian Richard Barons, readers are invited "over the privet hedges" of dozens of homes that offer clues to the Hamptons' storied past. From quaint, 18th-century cottages to the Sister Parish-style décor of Hamptons legend Dina Merrill, the houses profiled here boast historical significance and impeccable style. Heartfelt contributions from Hamptons icons David Netto and Alec Baldwin recall a time before million-dollar homes dominated the area's pristine beaches and lovely lanes. Copublished by The East Hampton Historical Society and DelMonico Books

First monograph to present the work of Laguardia Design Group, a highly regarded landscape architecture firm specializing in contemporary residential design in the Hamptons. With offices in Water Mill, LaGuardia Design Group is immersed in the fragile landscape of the Hamptons, both its woods and meadows and the dramatic shoreline along the Atlantic. Notable projects include the rebuilding of the dunescape surrounding a landmark Norman Jaffe house damaged by storms, collaborations with well-known contemporary architects, iand the setting for a distinguished collection of contemporary sculpture in Bridgehampton. Founded in 1994 by Christopher LaGuardia, this firm is committed to expressing the character of each site and recognized for its environmental stewardship, historic references, and meticulously designed outdoor spaces. Rather than attempting to mimic nature, LDG's goal with every design is to interpret natural processes as an artistic expression in their work. In 2013, LDG received the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) award of excellence in residential design, the highest residential award in the profession.