A Dated Hamptons Beach House Gets a Minimalist Makeover

It’s hard to picture this airy and bright 3,500-square-foot Westhampton beach house as a poky and dark Cape Cod with wall-to-wall carpeting in its five bedrooms… but that’s exactly how it looked.

That is, it looked that way until 2016, which is when the team of DesignWorks Architectural Group, builder Rocco J. Lettieri, and Manhattan-based interior design firm Flatiron 27 came on board. Their task at hand? To transform the old-fashioned, choppy home into a modern beach house.

“Our clients wanted a fresh, family-friendly beach house, with an open floor plan and neutral palette. They wanted clean-lined furniture and lots of texture,” says Elizabeth McNellis of Flatiron 27, who collaborated closely on the project with her colleague, Alexis Litman.

Architecturally, the main floor plan was opened up. The kitchen and bathrooms were remodeled, and the ceilings were vaulted and paneled—or beams were added—for interest. Now, new windows and sliding glass doors let in natural light and outdoor views.

“We selected old-growth white oak for the flooring, cerused oak for the cabinetry, and stone-inspired porcelain tiles for the bathrooms,” adds Litman of the materials chosen to create the contemporary, barn-like feel. These are complemented by industrial-inspired blackened metal accents, such as those found in the light fixtures.

The crisp white and bleached wood interiors were also furnished with a light, deliberate, minimalist approach. Sisal, sheepskin, and jute rugs add texture and warmth underfoot, while grass-cloth and cork coverings do the same on the walls. The furniture is a mix of vintage and modern pieces with clean lines and fresh silhouettes. Rattan accents, patterned pillows, and chunky wool throws complete the look.

A vintage rattan chair hangs by the window, facing a modern, boxy sectional and a pair of leather and wood chairs. The jute rug ties them together, making a statement of its own with its graphic linear pattern.

Sofa, West Elm Urban Two-Piece; coffee table, Madegoods Lynette Rattan; chandelier, Torro Cross; leather chairs, Commune for West Elm; Sophia jute-blend rug, One Kings Lane; pillows, Restoration Hardware and St.Frank

Statement lighting

in industrial black metal stands out sharply against the paneled vaulted ceiling. The space is perfectly set up for optimal entertaining—along with adjacent dining. The acrylic chairs don’t visually crowd the room, and are ideal for wet bathing suit bottoms.

Light and pendants, Andrew Nyer; wood and metal dining table, Rumrunner Home; Tobias clear chrome chairs, IKEA; Collins counter stool, Room and Board

Comfortable, contemporary seating is arranged around a vintage, industrial wood and metal coffee table. The grass cloth feature adds interest and texture to the TV wall.

Antwerp slip-covered sofa, West Elm; rattan chairs, Homenature; cement accent table, Mecox; assorted pillows and accessories, Restoration Hardware, Target, and Rebecca Atwood; wall covering, Shoreline Grass Phillip Jeffries; art, CB2

Metallic cork wallpaper adds a touch of bling to the master bedroom. The nightstands are lacquered in shiny white, and the sheepskin rug is just another textural layer for the neutral palette.

Upholstered bed, West Elm; lacquered nightstands, Serena & Lily; pillows, Serena & Lily, McGee & Co; chunky throw, CB2; wallpaper, Phillip Jeffries; woven raffia box, Mecox; covered bowl, Nate Berkus for Target

A Capiz shell chandelier hangs in another vaulted ceiling. The custom painted wood headboard has built-in night ledges.