Take a look at how this home in the Hamptons was completely transformed into a true contemporary home decor project by using a bold and alternative approach.

In the luxurious villas of Long Island’s East End, most homes are normally large and loud, made for providing an exciting and high-class experience for friends and family, which makes it very challenging for designers who are responsible for the interiors to incorporate a more versatile, warm, and down-to-earth feel.

In this article, we’ll show you exactly how Julie Hillman transformed a traditional Shingle Style home into a bold, comfortable, and welcoming home using her creativity and contemporary home decor pieces.

Transforming the entrance: Turning a house into a home

For Julie Hillman, this challenge started immediately at the entrance of the home. This home was very recent, and it was designed as a high-spec home, with a double-height entry, a staircase, and large doorways that led to living spaces.

This, however, didn’t stop Hillman from taking her unique approach to contemporary home decor by placing a bold, multipart work on the wall, above a breathtaking painting, beautifully paired with an antique Swedish Gustavian bench.

All of these elements are amalgamated with the neutral colors that are usually present in contemporary home decor. Hillman’s work would only be more and more impressive from this point forward.

“Walking into that environment, I really wanted to soften it and make it feel comfortable and homey.”

Julie Hillman

In this Hamptons home, Hillman’s main strategy was to use plenty of vintage furnishings while prioritizing the use of natural materials and rich, organic textures. That’s why she decided to use contemporary home decor by combining her client´s collection, as well as some new acquisitions.

In the entry, guests are immediately welcomed by a soothing gridded paneling, painted in a soothing white, then put in awe by the endearing presence of artworks on both sides of the front door.

Afterwards, they’ll be greeted by an amazing painting, distinguished by its unique use of figures, and above an antique Swedish Gustavian bench, there is a text resting on a golden ground. Also, a bronze box sculpture captures attention due to its colorful presence.

Bringing innovation and personality to the core

“I wanted this to feel different from the other homes you see there”

Julie Hillman

Moving on to the core areas of the house, Hillman continued to use contemporary home decor items, such as a gloopy white-polyurethane, which ensured the place gained plenty of personality, but she also chose to install a classic table in the dining room.

Hillman also chose to install vintage navy blue chairs to contrast with the red Richard Prince “Joke” paintings. There is also a monkey sculpture peeking at you from a distance on the mantelpiece, which alleviates the tension felt in the room, which is, according to Hillman, “serious and fun.”

As for the family room, vintage chairs were again chosen, this time around a much more informal cocktail table, combined with a capiz-shell chandelier, with an austounding art piece in black, which immediately contrasts with the overall neutral colours and overall theme present in this room.

Since the clients have children, everything needed to be kid-friendly, especially this room in particular, “where everybody hangs out—kids playing, the TV always on”, according to Hillman. The comfy slipcovered sofa, the lounge chair, and the beanbag-like leather pouf all turn this into a fun and relaxing room.

How to make a truly stress free enviroment

Moving on to the rear terrace, where the family spends much of their time, Hulie Hillman added more contemporary home decor items, such as whitewashed timber ceiling beams.

Now, the family can enjoy their meals in a truly different mood, at a farmhouse dining table made with 19th-century Belgian oak, while they’re sitting in a long, cushioned bench or the breathtaking midcentury rush-seat chairs.

The pool terrace is also equipped with multiple Urban Zen chaise longues, which makes it much more relaxing and cozy for sunbathing, going for a swim or just enjoying a cocktail on a warm summer day.

In the pool house, there are plenty of items to maximize comfort, such as Urban Zen beanbags and Italian macramé chairs. As for one of the guest rooms, Hillman chose a woven rope bed, white armchairs, and simple furniture to truly increase the feeling of comfort and relaxation for whoever has the pleasure of resting in one of these rooms.

As for the main bedroom, the bespoke linen-upholstered bed is working together with barrel-back chairs covered in hair that stand on a luxurious silk rug, with a final touch of an outstanding abstract painting. Julie Hillman says: “I always feel like you should be able to walk into these main bedroom spaces and just have this ahh relaxing moment.”

“This house is just meant to be really, really comfortable”

Julie Hillman

After Julie Hillman’s work was finished in this house, it turned into a true “sanctuary”, as she called it. A place where leisure, socialization, relaxation, and fun can all coexist at the same time.

Transform your home using contemporary home decor.

Julie Hillman showed us how we can transform any place we want into something rich in personality, creativity, and boldness using contemporary home decor pieces and their natural attributes, such as colors, shapes, and functionality.

If you feel inspired by Hillman’s project and want to apply contemporary home decor to your own home, please consider visiting HOMMÉS Studio‘s unique products and offerings. With our expertise in creative interior design solutions, we are confident we can help you make the cozy, sophisticated, and bold space you´re striving for.