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Easy Elegance in the Hamptons

Interior design is highly personal. It serves as a reflection of one’s style and personality within the space they call home. It is a place to escape, relax, and feel content and comfortable. Aiming to create a sanctuary that is serene, calm, and safe for clients, designer Amy Hill creates living spaces that reflect a warmth, conviviality, and welcoming spirit. Her eponymous full-service home décor and interior design firm, based in Southampton, works across the East End, New York City, and in Palm Beach, making good, thoughtful design a reality.

“I would describe my clients’ homes as easy elegance,” Hill shares. “I want my clients’ homes to feel comfortable and inviting, a space the whole family can really live in. I want to evoke a sense of relaxation yet still maintain a sense of elegance. I use fabrics that are family friendly and durable.”

Hill is known for bright and calm looks that are both livable and luxurious. Her philosophy pairs chic yet functional design with clean lines and subtle sophistication to create a unique and personable space. Each project is as personal for her as it is for her clients. Most of Hill’s work comes through referral, offering an immediate connection with many of her clients.

Using a neutral backdrop in shades of cream, gray, and white on walls and furniture serve as a strong foundation, often incorporated with unique subtle designs and textures. Accent pieces in bold colors are an opportunity to add interest and personality. However, all of these details are dependent on what a client wishes to create. The design process begins with a phone call, and a meeting at the project site if possible to do a walk through.

“I want to get a sense of how they see themselves using each room,” Hill explains of the process. “If that is not possible I will meet my clients at their current home so that I can get a feel for how they are living in their current space. I ask a lot of questions during our meeting to get a sense of their expectations and vision they have for their space. I want my clients to feel free to be open and honest with me as we move forward. It helps the process when clients aren’t afraid to express their likes and dislikes.”

An essential part of Hill’s work is to also make clients aware of things they may overlook. Lighting, for example, is a crucial element that can help define the various living spaces throughout a home, offering the ability to set a mood and create an ideal atmosphere. It is more than just recessed lighting, she says.

“It’s recessed lighting, an amazing chandelier, sconces, under cabinet lighting, picture lighting, table and floor lamps,” explains Hill, who shares she loves layers of light. “It’s allowing clients to have lighting choices not just a single fixture in a room. I always stress the importance of extending indoor living outside and making that line seamless. It’s also important to make that space inviting throughout the year by adding outdoor fireplaces, outdoor heaters by dining areas and comfortable seating.”

Lighting fixtures often standout in the rooms Hill designs, and are a representation of her individual clients. The intricately designed metal chandelier with several small light bulbs over the dining table in a home she designed in Quogue reflects her client’s modern lifestyle. In East Hampton, a bold sea urchin-like chandelier over a leather-wrapped dining table adds both a beachy vibe and an elegance in the same space.

Enjoying fall in the Hamptons is a central theme for this month’s issue. It’s a time of relaxation and exploration as the summer crowds dwindle, though just a little bit, and there is still much to enjoy. A love of summer is certainly undeniable, but like many others that have the good fortunate to visit in the autumn months, Hill says this is her favorite time of year.

Hill often readies her clients’ homes when they are coming out for a weekend in the fall. They want to relax in their homes with family and friends in spaces that are beautiful yet inviting. As they often seek a seamless transition from their outdoor to indoor living spaces, she notes the importance of dressing up the main entrance of the home.

“It’s the first thing they see and gives them a comfortable, relaxed feeling,” Hill explains, adding it’s these personalized touches that achieve her goal of making people feel as though they’re her only client. “I add planters by the front door and fill them with seasonal plants, like mums and ornamental kale, and pumpkins. My go-to for planters is The Laurel Group in Water Mill. I also add fresh flowers throughout the home to help bring the outside in.”

Textured chunky throws and pillows throughout the home are one way to make a space warm and inviting on the interior. Hill’s personal favorite is the llama natural stripe collection from homenature in Southampton. The multi-striped pillows and throws are hand woven on looms using llama wool that is hand-stitched with merino wool accent stripes. She will often place baskets of blankets by the back door so clients can stay wrapped up and cozy outdoors in cooler weather. “Everyone says they love chunky,” Hill says with a laugh. “But it really is true!”

If Hill is having custom pillows made of lush velvet or nubby wool, she looks to Hampton Fabric and Blinds in Southampton. Another simple way to create a cozy environment are candles. Her personal favorite here is White’s Apothecary’s Nest Holiday candle with hints of mandarin orange, pine cloves, and vanilla. Many of her preferred brands can be found in the Hamptons.

Combining form and function with beauty and comfort, Amy Hill Designs focuses on easy elegance when designing homes in the Hamptons. Spaces are warm and bright, inviting homeowners and their guests to relax and enjoy their time out east, no matter the time of year.

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