The 2015 HC&G Innovation in Design Winners: Interior Design

To be inside this 5,000-square-foot Sag Harbor home is to have no sense that it was once a saltbox—a “brilliant transformation,” in the words of judge Jennifer Post.

A serene palette is cleverly accented with graphic textiles, strategically positioned artworks, oiled walnut cabinetry, and linear-cut travertine expanses.

The Sag Harbor home features existing antiques that the client brought from her previous shingle-style home.

“The theme of contemporary, relaxed living is apparent” in this home on Mecox Bay, says judge Jennifer Post. “This is good design—and it’s sexy.”

The prevailing hues are multiple shades of white, which reference the cladding on the exterior while maintaining the pure aesthetic. The designers seamlessly incorporated the furniture—some of it belonging to the client—so the wraparound water views are never compromised.

Vaulted, open-plan rooms and 24-foot-high ceilings: Such attributes are challenging when trying to make a home more intimate, but the designers at Blue Ocean were able to tame the proportions of this new Southampton residence, undertaking what judge Paul Goldberger characterizes as “bold, energetic moves.” The team’s “smart use of patterns,” according to judge Madeline Weinrib, is key to the success of the design for a young couple, who desired a monochromatic palette that could withstand the wear and tear from little kids. “This modern home just feels like it belongs in the Hamptons,” says judge Kim Seybert.

Both the client and the designers were intent on preserving the summer-retreat feel of a classic 1920s shingle-style cottage in East Hampton. The designers chose French linen curtains and burlap chairs for the living and dining rooms, painted the floors white to warm things up, and transformed a former garage into a fun-filled pool house. Judge Mario Nievera describes the result as “bold, easy, and carefree,” while Madeline Weinrib calls the project “nice and happy.”

A challenge of a house of such a large scale—6,500 square feet, with nine bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and three powder rooms—is to maintain the elegant interiors while referencing the beach. Birgit Klein employed a neutral palette throughout and subtly introduced textures and patterns in the rooms—zebra-striped rugs, colorful roman shades, and custom furniture with distinctive lines. The resulting interiors are “lovely and inviting,” says Jennifer Post. “The house is a pure vision that doesn’t try too hard.”