The East Hampton Historical Society’s Annual Summer Lecture Luncheon With Interior Designer Stephen Sills & David Netto

On August 10, the East Hampton Historical Society brought together acclaimed interior designer Stephen Sills in conversation with David Netto at the seventh annual Summer Lecture Luncheon, held at the Maidstone Club.

Stephen Sills just released his third book, Stephen Sills: A Vision for Design. Wanting it to be a teaching book, Sills asked David Netto to write the text with his mission in mind.

A sold-out crowd was enthralled as Netto engaged Sills in conversation, walking through the designer’s projects which featured a wide variety of styles and locations — including the East End of Long Island — and his own house and garden, which Karl Lagerfeld described as “The chicest house in America.” Netto artfully wrangled intimate design details and client backstories from Sills, as the audience hung on their every exchange.

Doris Meister, CEO and Chairman of Wilmington Trust introduced the dialogue between the two designers. Jennifer Hall, Senior VP of Christie’s, made closing comments.

Guests included co-chairs Debbie Druker and Sarah Wetenhall. Host Committee members included Guy Clark and Harrison Morgan, Paige Daly, Kate Davis, Kathleen Kirchgaessner, Dale Ellen Leff, Cheri Mowrey, Victoria Patricof, Kara Ross, and Cameron Silver, as well Jennifer Levene Bruno, EHHS President Hilary Osborn Malecki, and EHHS Executive Director Steve Long. Special guests included Kate Brodsky, Laura Doyle, Alexandra Hess, Tom Scheerer, and Amy Tarr – to name just a few.

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.