“Bohemian luxe style” and “Hamptons farmhouse” don’t seem to belong in the same sentence. But artist Cindy Sherman‘s thoughtful renovation of an East Hampton, NY, property bring it all together with the best of quirky boho décor and Hamptons breeze.
Designer Billy Cotton had a hand as well. The industrial designer caught Sherman’s attention for work done on a friend’s house. “That house didn’t look like it was decorated,” she recalls. “It seemed like it had always been there. Billy’s work on it struck a balance between practicality, funkiness, and chic.” So she signed him on.
Together the pair “tried to produce something off-kilter,” Cotton explains. “This is not a stunning example of Colonial architecture, just a comfortable, formerly rickety farmhouse.”
A “comfortable, formerly rickety farmhouse” with pounds and pounds of luscious boho punch and pizzazz, I might add. See if you don’t agree.
 |
| Jason Schmidt |
Sherman relaxes on the Gustavian daybed in a guest room with her parrot, Mister Frieda, perched on a nearby chair—in itself a quirky, bohemian pairing. Much of the successful decoration of the house relied on a selection of equally quirky antiques, thrift-store finds, and SUMPTUOUS textiles—fabric wall coverings, upholstery and rugs like those shown here.
 |
| Jason Schmidt |
In the living room, a Pakistani ralli woven fabric covers the sofa and chair, while the 19th-century silk curtain panels and valance make one grand statement out of two smaller windows.
 |
| Jason Schmidt |
At the other end of the living room, a cozy corner takes advantage of the terrific view of surrounding woods and marsh. The mattress on the antique French campaign bed and the chair are upholstered in the same ralli weaving as the pieces in the previous photo.
 |
| Jason Schmidt |
I’m not much for the vining wallpaper in the dining room or those prissy chairs lined up along the wall, but the fabric on the chairs around the table are some serious boho eye candy. Yummy!
 |
| Jason Schmidt |
In another guest room, a 19th-century Italian tapestry is displayed behind a bed draped with a suzani coverlet. I love how the red of the coverlet background works with the browns of the wood side tables.
 |
| Jason Schmidt |
The master bedroom sports a chandelier found at a Paris flea market and mismatched curtains. I like how the silk pillowcases seem to emulate the burled grain of the nightstands. It’s an odd pairing with all the blue and white, but it really pops and I like it.
 |
| Jason Schmidt |
Notice that the master bath curtains match one of the pairs from the bedroom. Now, out the door and see…
 |
| Jason Schmidt |
…one more reason why Sherman braved the extensive renovation: deer crossing the lawn and the view of Accabonac Harbor beyond—one an everyday occurrence and one there every day, all day and night. Ahhhhh…
 |
| Jason Schmidt |
Another nod to nature: Wild turkeys often roam the backyard of the 10-acre property, part of which is protected marshland. Sherman uses the barn to the right of the main house as a studio.
Have I left you wanting more?
For additional photos and the story of the renovation, complete with sources, read Mayer Rus’ feature in Architectural Digest. For more lots more BOHO home tours and decorating fun, follow my blog with Bloglovin.
