Frampton Co Paints A Modern Oasis In Amagansett Dunes

Elena Frampton is a master at bringing to life her clients’ vision, whether it involves maximalist flourishes or a peaceful contemporary. The common denominator throughout her twenty year career is her deep understanding of how art and interiors need each other. Frampton says she continues and loves to learn, in fact she has taught at Parsons School of Design and is a committee member of the Parrish Contemporaries Circle at the Parrish Art Museum. Art is a priority in everything she does and she designs with a painterly mastery.

A stunning oceanfront modern masterstroke in the Amagansett Dunes was the perfect canvas for someone like Frampton who understood the assignment: create a visually calm oasis to complement its tranquil setting. Built by modern masters, Consiglio Builders, the Barnes Coy designed modern was finished with landscaping by the LaGuardia Design Group.

The 5,200-square-foot, six-bedroom home fully incorporates the famous Hamptons light as well as the blue hues that seep into the atmosphere from the ocean a stone’s throw away. The neutral palette with touches of sky blue in the form of furniture pieces blended into the baseline of the beige and gray color story. Frampton, instead of her usual maximalist inclinations, worked with texture to create depth in the form of wood slatting.

Upon entry, the floating stairs in teak and steel with glass enclosure sets the stage for clean tranquility. Sydney Butchkes acrylic on shaped canvas and wood from 1985 hangs above Petra console table in gray oak finish by Amorph. Plaster walls are by Marmocarrara. Under it all is the naturalistic shag rug by Woven.

 “The modern cedar, glass, stone, aluminum, and steel beach house features an ‘upside-down’ layout with the living areas upper level to take advantage of the ocean views,” explained Frampton. “Embracing the irregularity of the home’s angles, we utilized rounded, organic, and sculptural furnishings throughout, including many custom items like the organic shaped dining table and geometric rug in the main living area. What appears to be an easy-going, zen-like environment is the result of many careful studies.”

The informal dining area is flooded by light and features Hola chairs by Hannes Wettstein in polyurethane padded upholstery with an inner steel core with pale blue fabric from Cassina, from 2003. They surround the stunning and bold custom walnut and resin tabletop with walnut and steel legs by Stacklab. The seven light catch suspension chandelier is designed by Lindsey Adelman. 

“We selected strong, minimalist artworks by Ted Kurahara and Michael Boyd, along with a three-dimensional wall sculpture by local artist Sydney Butchkes to bring form and texture to the home in a restrained way,” Frampton continued. “A variety of ceramic works, from various objet to a handmade raku wall installation, complete the experience.”

The standout chandelier art piece above the stark glass-enclosed modern staircase is by Dominick Leuci called the Eques Series LED Sculpture No. 4, USA, 2018. It incorporates a mirror-polished nickel-plated brass body with 19 mirror polished stainless steel plumes and sits across the Ted Kuhara piece entitled “Double Blue” from 1982.

The minimalist kitchen is the flawless canvas for seasonal flourishes like fruits and flowers. The deep mustard colored bar stools by Alo stool by Massimo Iosa Ghini with their moulded bent beech and poplar plywood shell, revolving chrome finish base, and Pelle Frau leather upholstery act as the accent to the wood and gray color story.

The living quarters hints at a MadMen era of mid-century modernity but with the luxury of today with the Dan Pollack table in white ash wood which evokes as artistic as a Noguchi. The piece is surrounded by a Flexform sectional and lit by the Oslo alabaster LED pendant on three individual fixings with light bronze plates and leather straps by Atelier Alain Ellouz.

In the family room we see the soft shapes of the Mesa round side table, Cloud Modular classic sofa in Belgian linen all by Restoration Hardware. The Trifecta tables by Christian Woo in white washed ash and matte white oil finish add to the softened edges of the room. The plaster wall treatment is by Marmorino Venetian Plasters USA. The minimalist artwork, Verlaine’s Dream Painting, acrylic on canvas from 1970 is by Michael Boyd.

The primary bedroom highlights a setting by JOHNHOUSHMAND with the walnut slab headboard that incorporates an angled base, integral drawers plus its incorporated side tables over the naturalistic wool and silk, handknotted rug from Nepal by Atelier Fevrier. The walls feature the Drop System 3 sconces by Lindsey Adelman and artwork by Esteban Vicente. Textiles on the stunning bed are by Avenue Road.

No detail was missed in the bathrooms, where the hues are consistent throughout. A freestanding tub in acrylic with white gloss by Blu Bathworks is the standout of the room with its single-lever tub mixer on a riser for its freestanding installation with hand shower set by Dornbracht. Illuminating the room is the chandelier that feels like the bubbles of a bubblebath of the Bolle Collection manufactured by Giopato and Coombes. Its spheres are made of transparent borosilicate glass globes with brushed brass connectors and white canopy.

The cabana bathroom features sconces in satin nickel finish and frosted lens by Juniper. Subway ceramic tile, train azul gloss crackle by Artistic Tile. The Penny tile in the shower by Waterworks is paired with hardware in color 04 light blue by Vola.

The piece de resistance of the home is the full incorporation of outdoor living. The bold weave in custom blue ombre by Shore continues the blue accent color among natural tones. A custom sectional called the Marbella Teak Luxe Modular U Sofa makes for memorable summer nights as it cocoons their Malay Cast Concrete Tables both produced by Restoration Hardware. The finishing touches are the Otto Rope Poufs by DDC, a lounge chair in cool taupe by Dedon and earthenware with glaze sidetables by Sereny & Lily.

To learn more about Frampton Co, visit framptonco.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.