Tuesday, February 18
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Shedding Your Layers


Purpose and Design in the Mudroom.

What’s better than getting home, shedding damp and dirty layers, and padding into your living space feeling warm and dry? Enter the mudroom: a space needed in most climates, especially Out East. 

“A mudroom is great to have in a Hamptons home because it frees you to go out and interact with the beautiful natural world without worrying about getting wet, muddy or sweaty while you explore,” said Paul De Andrade, founder of Studio Kestrel, a New York City design studio with clients in the Hamptons. “It gives you a space where you can quickly grab your coat and boots on the way out, and you can drop your clutter on your way in — so it doesn’t encroach on and taint other rooms in your home.”

But what makes a mudroom both chic and useful? And how can you keep the space from getting too … muddy? We consulted de Andrade and others for their expertise.

Design by Frampton Co, photo by Joshua McHugh

Purpose
Put simply, “a mudroom is an entryway space where there is plenty of room to easily take off and store shoes, coats, umbrellas and outerwear,” said Kathy Kuo, founder and CEO of Kathy Kuo Home. “It serves as a nice transitional space between indoors and outdoors and helps to cut down on mess and clutter inside.”

Don’t have a designated room for this purpose? Any spot by an exit door can work when designed properly. The key is to keep a whole bunch of things neatly organized in one place, “and that one place is not your kitchen or your living room or your beautiful formal foyer you just added an antique rug to!,” Kuo joked. 

Function
“The mudroom is packed with function,” said Elena Frampton, founder of Frampton Co, which has a studio in Bridgehampton. There should be a spot to sit for taking off shoes, plus ample storage for shoes, coats and, most importantly, beach gear. “I like an exposed mix shelves and hooks and closets for day-to-day items and closed storage for less frequent items,” she explained.

Be sure to incorporate an outdoor rug or other performance fabric to withstand the heavy foot traffic that comes through the entryway.

“Built-in cabinets and cubbies, benches that have storage space inside, wall pegs, coat racks and floor baskets are all great options,” Kuo agreed. “Bonus points for a basket full of spare scarves and hats for whoever might need them.”

Fashion
While it serves a utilitarian function, there’s no reason to forego beauty in your mudroom. Design is

particularly important here as it’s typically the first space you’ll see after coming through the door. 

“By adding design elements like fun, organically patterned wallpaper, warm and inviting lighting, and charming natural wood built-ins, it’s easy to create a joyous space that gives you the welcome home that you deserve,” de Andrade said.

Looking for inspiration? Think back to a bathroom you loved at a friend’s house or from a restaurant or hotel. A mudroom “can be as dramatic as a jewel box powder room,” Frampton said, providing an opportunity for vibrant color and bold patterns. 

Be careful with your choice of hues, noted Kuo, as a lighter palette may be hard to keep clean. Instead, opt for slate blue or sage green, which can easily hide the grit and grime from the outdoors. “In a place like the Hamptons, where so much of the appeal of the area is in the great outdoors, a mudroom makes jaunts out to the beach or strolls in the yard a breeze,” she said. “It just makes outdoor time all the more appealing and accessible.”

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