New Beginnings

When designer Amy Kalikow’s clients became empty nesters last year, they weren’t sure what to do with their 5,400-square-foot house in Sagaponack.

One option was to add an addition to the wood-shingled house, built in 2014. More space could accommodate their growing number of grandchildren but would require time and attention the couple, who spend most of the year in Florida, didn’t have to spare. 

For now, they turned to Kalikow earlier this year to give their home an update that suits their new phase of life.

“They couldn’t decide whether to sell the house or add an addition but they wanted to at least, for the moment, make it feel more Hampton-y and more comfy,” Kalikow explained.

Starting with the entrance, Kalikow began by toning down the glitzy aesthetic that remained from decades past. She added a neutral, braided wool carpet topped with a custom bench, a new console and a matching wavy mirror from Dune. The bench, which resembles a set of drums stacked next to each other, is wool on the bottom and vinyl on top to resist the coming and going in a foyer.

“It’s mindful designing because they have kids,” Kalikow said. The home has an open floor plan, so Kalikow designed the kitchen, living, and dining areas cohesively. 

“We just wanted to add a more modern, clean element to the kitchen and make it a little more interesting,” Kalikow said of the space. To achieve this, she swapped out the hardware on the Ciuffo Cabinetry and added new window treatments. At the island, she installed pendant lights from overhead and gave it sturdy new stools.

“They wanted something that’s comfortable because they do a lot of work from home, and safe and big enough to not worry about grandchildren tipping over,” Kalikow said of the kitchen stools she found for her clients.

Over in the living area, Kalikow brought in a pair of Natuzzi couches — which together are her favorite feature in the home makeover — and placed them on a flat-weave, wool and viscose carpet she had custom made in India. She placed a custom coffee table from Metro Interiors between them and added window treatments from The Shade Store. “We were able to create a warm and inviting space for everyone to gather together,” Kalikow said of the living room. “It’s comfortable and practical.”

Kalikow revamped two bedrooms upstairs: a guest room with a beachy vibe and the couple’s daughter’s bedroom, which was requested to be “very neutral.”

Last, Kalikow turned her attention outside. The house sits on 3 acres and has tennis courts and a gunite pool. Rather than replacing all the Restoration Hardware patio furniture, Kalikow updated it with new upholstery and pillows. She changed out the Tuuci umbrella shades for a softer palette and added side tables and bar counter stools with organic textures. “With some minor tweaks to the outdoor spaces, we were able to really update the aesthetic without making major changes to furniture,” Kalikow said.

Though the six-month project required some patience while her clients flew back and forth to Florida, Kalikow said all parties were pleased when she unveiled her design just before Memorial Day weekend. “I learned that trust from your client is a really important thing,” Kalikow noted, “and that being on the same page for design really helps bring a project to completion.”

Photography By Adam Kane Macchia