Alicia Murphy Design: The Easy Going Mixing Of The Greats

Alicia Murphy‘s foundational design sets an easy-going, intuitive tone which can seem like a visual oxymoron when you consider her work adorns some of the most luxurious builds in the nation. This stunning manse in Sagaponack erected by renown master builder, Michael Davis Design & Construction, showcases the commingling of nature and modern — effortlessly.

“I love creating Hamptons homes for clients and understand how they want to spend time and relax in this special place with their friends and families. I feel really lucky I get to live and work here year round,” said Murphy, who is based out of Amagansett. 

The structure ushers in swaths of the famous Hamptons light to wash over the sophisticated neutral palette that brings the eye to elements like art that Murphy strategically places throughout the home. For example, in a neutral-colored sitting room natural sources like the Apparatus Studio coffee table is the perfect platform for a tulip vase, while the iconic Cassina 720 Lady Chairs designed in 1951 brings the mid-century modern vibe to an otherwise contemporary room.

The coffee table is described as portal tables connecting the proportions of ancient structures to daily experience, linking ceremonial and domestic ritual expressed in thick Italian marble.

Nature is everywhere in texture, shape and/or color, even in man-made objects like the Lindsey Adelman 10 Globe Branching Bubble pendant lamp over the traditional staircase’s neutral waffled runner by Merida Studio — you can almost hear the swallows sing by the very sight of it.

The open kitchen follows the consistent neutral color story with the rest of the home adding a touch of gray moldings accented by furnishings in black for needed depth. A stunning custom kitchen island is topped with industrial Tassel pendant lamps by Apparatus Studio and barstools by Thomas Hayes. Made in Bridgehampton, the modern Karen dining table by Commerford Collection invites meals with views of the garden.

The black marble vintage table by Angelo Mangiarotti from the ’60s hosts Hans Wegner chairs continuing the mid-century modern accents that adorn the entire home.

Michael Davis bathrooms are persistently light-filled tranquil spaces. In this bathroom the windows and moldings continue the light gray for depth. The Mary Wallace “Edie Flushmount” ceiling light glistens like a crystal while Urban Electric sconces bookend the vanity mirror. The richly deep “Starburst Dash” double hide rug is by Avo provides the grounding for the equally posh Kelly Wearstler poof stools.

Even when a piece of furniture or lighting is not a vintage piece, it is inspired by the mid-century modern masters. For example, the show-stopping Jackson Chandelier by Studio Van der Akker illuminates this motif with its rich neutral color, Eames-like structure, with a nod to the Saarinen shapes. The chaise by Dmitry & Co co-exists uniformly with the Restoration Hardware sectional in the next room.

Experienced lovers of design know that luxury often means it isn’t ostentatious — it’s designed seamlessly into the build, in this case, a Michael Davis classically-designed masterpiece. Murphy intrinsically understands how to mix the generational greats with current designers who will inevitably become as iconic as their predecessors.

To learn more about Alicia Murphy Design, visit aliciamurphydesign.com.

Ty Wenzel

Co-Publisher & Contributor

Ty Wenzel, a recent breast cancer survivor, started her career as a fashion coordinator for Bloomingdale’s followed by fashion editor for Cosmopolitan Magazine. She was also a writer for countless publications, including having published a memoir (St. Martin's Press) and written features for The New York Times. She is an award-winning writer and designer who covers lifestyle, real estate, architecture and interiors for James Lane Post. She previously worked as a writer and marketing director for The Independent. She has won multiple PCLI and NYPA awards for journalism, social media and design, including best website design and best magazine for James Lane Post, which she co-founded in 2020. Wenzel is also a co-founder of the meditation app for kids, DreamyKid, and the Hamptons social media agency, TWM Hamptons Social Media.