2018 Winners

Winner

Oza Sabbeth Architects

Oza Sabbeth Architects

Winner
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The design-build firm Oza Sabbeth not only transformed a humble postwar ranch in Sagaponack into a modernist’s dream, but also added a new wing containing an art studio.

Inspired by the furniture of Dutch designer Ineke Hans for the brand Moooi, the firm employed rubber and recycled plastic for the exterior skin: The rubber protects the structure from the elements, while the plastic screen shields the rubber and mitigates heat gain. Judge Nathan Orsman deems it “restrained and sexy,” while judge Janice Parker says the “confident design is innovative and chic.”

Winner

Martin Architects

Martin Architects

Winner
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Judge Janice Parker praises “the mix of light and dark and the clean lines” of this East Hampton bath, which features a cantilevered concrete sink, pearlescent plaster walls, and a backlit mirror that runs the length of one wall. “The reflective quality of the plaster enhances the space,” comments judge Nathan Orsman. “There’s even a yacht-like feel to it.”

Winner

LaGuardia Design Group

LaGuardia Design Group

Winner
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The owners of a 12-acre estate in Bridgehampton hired LaGuardia Design Group to create a setting for their sculpture collection, which includes pieces by Maya Lin, Isamu Noguchi, and Richard Serra.

The firm introduced viewing pavilions and gravel paths and carefully positioned trees so that only one sculpture is visible at a time as people meander through the grounds. “It’s an innovative project that draws you in and holds you,” says judge Janice Parker, while judge Richard Keith Langham praises the “harmony between the naturalistic and formal elements.”

Winner

Shed Textile Co.


Shed Textile Co.

Winner
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Shed Textile Co.’s pillows, hand-woven in Southold from materials such as merino wool, canvas, and raffia, lend texture and personality to any space.

Winner

Third Way Construction & Design

Third Way Construction & Design

Winner
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When envisioning the interiors for a late-1800s home in Sag Harbor, which received both a renovation and a 1,700-square-foot addition, designer Victoria Stokes painted the window frames and interior doors black to “help unify the spaces and lend interest to each room,” she says.

The dramatic pop against the mostly neutral interiors “is the best feature of the house,” notes judge Janice Parker, while judge Timothy Brown admires the “mix of furnishings with the home’s historic architecture.”

Winner

Vanessa Rome Interiors

Vanessa Rome Interiors

Winner
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For a ground-up build in Southampton, decorator Vanessa Rome strayed from the classic whitewashed look often seen in Hamptons kitchens, selecting a dark gray paint for the cabinets and cedar planks for the ceiling. With plenty of seating at the island and in an adjacent dining area, the generous space is set up to serve as the central hub of the 12,000-square-foot home.

“I love the dark cabinetry against the white marble,” says judge Richard Keith Langham. “The use of colors and materials is great,” concurs judge Timothy Brown.

Winner

Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects

Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects

Winner
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For an art dealer looking to enhance the arrival experience at his Water Mill abode, Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects designed a freestanding slab-roofed structure that functions as a carport, an entertaining lounge, and a pavilion for showcasing artwork. Floor-to-ceiling windows embrace the wooded surroundings, including a dense bamboo garden and pathway that leads to the main residence. “It’s chic and has good bone structure,” notes judge Janice Parker.

Finalist

Vivid Blueprint


Vivid Blueprint

Finalist
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A no-brainer for a beach retreat, this wool rug features a subtle sailboat pattern inspired by the Hamptons’ rich maritime history.

Finalist

Kari Elizabeth


Kari Elizabeth

Finalist
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Kari Elizabeth transforms vintage scarves by Hermès, Chanel, and Bottega Veneta into eye-catching throw pillows filled with down and feather inserts.

Finalist

Plexi-Craft


Plexi-Craft

Finalist
Website

Retro style reigns supreme with Plexi-Craft’s curved-back Crescent chair, which is produced from a single piece of clear acrylic.

Finalist

Martin Architects


Martin Architects

Finalist
Website

Commissioned for an event at East Hampton’s LongHouse Reserve, this Josef Albers–inspired sculpture contains three colorful aluminum frames with percussion members that produce sound when rotated at different speeds.

Finalist

Crosswater London Readers' Choice


Crosswater London Readers' Choice

Finalist
Website

Made of Durocoat, a cast mineral marble, this shapely early-1900s-style tub works in both traditional and contemporary baths.

Finalist

Martin Architects

Martin Architects

Finalist
Website

The term “waterfront property” gains new meaning with this sleek two-story Bellport boathouse. The roof deck takes its cues from classic boat vernacular, while a galley-inspired kitchen features built-in mahogany seating and storage. To protect the structure from harsh elements, Martin Architects also incorporated a rain screen and steel doors. Judge Richard Keith Langham deems it a “wonderful waterfront hideaway,” while Parker praises its “clever and innovative” design.

Finalist

the Lacuna Project

the Lacuna Project

Finalist
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Clocking in at a modest 1,000 square feet, this shingle-clad Sag Harbor cottage contains a kitchen, powder room, and two bedrooms with en suite baths—thanks in large part to the Lacuna Project’s clever use of second-floor dormers that house the sleeping quarters. Judge Timothy Brown admires the “well thought-out” scheme, while judge Nathan Orsman describes the structure as “wonderful and compact—it has it all.”

Finalist

Hampton Design

Hampton Design

Finalist
Website

With custom cabinetry that extends to the ceiling, a butler’s pantry, and a large center island, this Bridgehampton kitchen is amply proportioned for an avid cook. A zinc hood, industrial-style pendant lights, and stained-wood open shelving add personality to what Langham calls a “handsome and timeless” space. “Bring on the cooking!” exclaims judge Janice Parker.

Finalist

Martin Architects

Martin Architects

Finalist
Website

For an East Hampton residence, the architects designed a modern addition that includes a sleek kitchen kitted out in walnut, white oak, steel, and glass. Brown loves the layout and use of materials, while Langham’s favorite element is the “sculptural niche that houses the stove.” Parker describes the project as “really creative. I could live in this smart, well-edited space.”

Finalist

Tamara Fraser for Worth Interiors

Tamara Fraser for Worth Interiors

Finalist
Website

For a home on Water Mill’s Mecox Bay, Worth Interiors’ Tamara Fraser and firm founder Eddy Doumas took cues from their client’s art collection to build a color palette of dark blue, brown, and gray. But in the living room, they were careful not to let anything take away from the views of the water. “The furniture layout is brilliant,” remarks judge Richard Keith Langham, “and really works with the art.”

Finalist

D2 Interieurs

D2 Interieurs

Finalist
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Denise Davies wasn’t afraid to take risks for a New York City–based client’s second home, infusing the 5,000-square-foot Remsenburg retreat and pool house with colorful upholstery and bold wall coverings. In keeping with her client’s request for a year-round escape, the designer stayed away from predictable nautical references and opted instead for natural materials—wood, rattan, and sisal—and a laid-back vibe. “You can’t help but walk into the house and feel happy,” says Davies.

Finalist

Lear + Mahoney Landscape Associates

Lear + Mahoney Landscape Associates

Finalist
Website

What started as a concept for a pool and meditation gardens grew to include an art studio and garden shed. Two 108-square-foot cedar-clad pavilions now sit at one end of the gunite pool, reached by a path of bluestone pavers and black Japanese river rocks, while the plantings—ornamental grasses and hydrangea—are kept minimal to complement the architecture of the studio and shed.

Finalist

Hollander Design/Landscape Architects

Hollander Design/Landscape Architects

Finalist
Website

For a restored farmhouse property in Sagaponack, the firm updated the grounds while retaining existing stone hardscaping, mature willow and beech trees, and an apple orchard. The designers introduced groves of catalpa trees, a bosk of London plane trees around a dining terrace, and a second orchard near the guesthouse. Parker applauds how well “the new and old areas blend together.”

Finalist

Hampton Design

Hampton Design

Finalist
Website

While pond views and a gray marble tile “rug” command attention, the freestanding tub takes center stage in this spacious master bath in Bridgehampton. “This sexy tub is the star of the show,” comments judge Richard Keith Langham, who describes the room as “sleek, spacious, and crisp.” In addition to the tub, an expansive glass-enclosed shower stands opposite a double vanity with custom cabinetry.

Finalist

Austin Patterson Disston Architects with Chris Desmone

Austin Patterson Disston Architects with Chris Desmone

Finalist
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Designer Chris Desmone and Austin Patterson Disston Architects joined forces on this Southampton home’s master bath, accessed from either the bedroom or walk-in closets. Large windows illuminate a mirror-paneled tub, which is flanked by a pair of nickel-trimmed lacquer vanities; cerused-oak floors, a frosted-glass shower, and a ceiling fixture by Billy Cotton complete the look. Parker admires the “innovative use of materials.”

Finalist

Bates + Masi Architects

Bates + Masi Architects

Finalist
Website

For a vacant quarter-acre oceanfront lot in Amagansett, the firm was tasked with designing a luxurious residence that would meet strict building codes: in this case, a 15-by-20-foot home with two stories and a total height of 19 feet. The compact structure’s angled rooflines and central light well make the interiors feel spacious, even “treehouse-like,” says Orsman, noting the house’s perch six feet above grade (a FEMA requirement).

Finalist

Martin Architects

Martin Architects

Finalist
Website

In East Hampton, Martin Architects gave a modernist makeover to a traditional house. The common spaces are contained within a gable-roofed volume, and thermally insulated glass, a geothermal system, and new insulation make for a more energy-efficient structure overall. “The proportions are pure, simple, and strong,” says judge Richard Keith Langham. “And the dark trim articulates and punctuates the architecture.”