Hampton Style homes are incredibly popular in Melbourne right now, which makes total sense. What began as elegant beach retreats for high-flying New Yorkers happens to suit our mild and sunny climate very nicely. Their classic, timeless look sits seamlessly within our architectural milieu, and their layout lends itself to a climate that demands seamless indoor/outdoor flow.
Over the years, we’ve helped many people realise their own Hampton Style dream home. Here’s what we’ve learned.
What defines a Hampton Style home?
It’s a style characterised by elegance and relaxation and inspired by the coast. The sophisticated yet comfortable living space combines traditional and modern elements, which is how it achieves its timeless appeal. Here are some key defining features:
- Coastal colour palette: The colour palette often revolves around light and neutral tones, such as white, beige, cream and various shades of blue. These colours create a fresh and airy feel, designed to evoke the beach and ocean.
- Natural materials: The use of natural materials is prevalent in Hampton Style homes. This includes hardwood flooring, often in a light or weathered finish, as well as stone, wicker, rattan and linen for furniture and decor elements.
- Open and spacious layout: Hampton Style homes typically emphasize an open floor plan that allows for easy flow between living spaces. This design choice enhances the sense of space and encourages a relaxed and social atmosphere.
- Light-filled interiors: Large windows and French doors are commonly found in these homes, as they invite plenty of natural light indoors and offer views of the surrounding landscape.
- Classic architecture: The exterior often features classic architectural elements, such as shingle siding, pitched roofs and symmetrical facades. Dormer windows and verandahs are also characteristic features.
- Nautical and beach-themed decor: Nautical elements, like ropes, anchors and ship wheels, are frequently used as decorative accents in Hampton Style homes. Beach-inspired decor, such as seashells, driftwood and coastal artwork, adds to the overall theme.
- Comfortable and inviting furniture: Inspired by the beach houses of Americans living on the north-east coast of the US, these homes are usually comfortable and inviting, with plush sofas, oversized armchairs and upholstered beds. The goal is to create a cosy and relaxing atmosphere for residents and guests alike.
- Timeless and elegant fixtures: Lighting fixtures, hardware and other details tend to have a timeless and elegant design. Elements like chandeliers, lantern-style pendant lights and brushed metal finishes add a touch of sophistication.
- Wainscoting and beadboard: Adding wainscoting or beadboard to walls and ceilings is a common practice, as it contributes to the classic and refined aesthetic.
- Incorporation of outdoor spaces: Hampton Style homes often feature well-designed outdoor areas, such as spacious decks, verandahs or screened-in porches, where residents can enjoy the natural surroundings and fresh air.
Do Hampton Style homes suit Melbourne?
Hampton Style homes have enamoured Melbourne since their introduction, perfectly complementing our city’s coastal charm and laid-back elegance. Drawing inspiration from the luxurious beach houses in New York’s Hamptons, this architectural theme seamlessly integrates into Melbourne’s diverse landscape.
We love the beach, and this style of home reflects that. A soothing colour palette of whites, creams and coastal blues evokes a serene and calming ambiance sits easily within Melbourne’s natural surroundings.
Our mild climate is also suited to the Hampton Style’s emphasis on open and flowing interiors, fostering a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. Abundant windows and French doors allow ample natural light, while spacious outdoor areas, decks and verandas cater to outdoor entertainment and relaxation, taking advantage of Melbourne’s pleasant weather.
What also makes this style timeless and so widely loved is its offer of flexibility and customisation, allowing homeowners to infuse their individual tastes. Blending traditional and modern elements creates a timeless and welcoming atmosphere, combining comfort with sophistication.
Embracing Melbourne’s architectural diversity, Hampton Style homes add a touch of laidback elegance to its neighbourhoods. With its coastal-inspired aesthetics, indoor-outdoor living and adaptability, it continues to be a beloved choice for Melbourne residents seeking a relaxed and harmonious living space.
What do you need to consider when you are designing and building your Hampton Style home?
- Architectural Elements: Pay attention to classic architectural features that define the Hampton Style, such as pitched roofs, dormer windows, shingle siding and symmetrical facades (all the things we talked about earlier). Which ones appeal to you? These elements contribute to the timeless and refined look, but they aren’t mandatory. Pick the combination that works for you.
- Colour Palette: The Hampton Style does have a unique colour palette, but within it there is room to move. Perhaps you want to pick out three or four muted tones that evoke the beach, or perhaps you want two contrasting colours, like cream and rich navy blue, that evoke something more nautical.
- Natural Materials: Incorporate natural materials like hardwood flooring, stone, wicker, rattan, linen, and sisal to add warmth and texture to the interiors. For the exterior, consider weatherboard, clapboard, or shingle siding for a traditional look.
- Open Floor Plan: Design an open and spacious layout that allows easy flow between living spaces, promoting a social and welcoming environment. This includes seamless indoor-outdoor connections with large windows and French doors.
- Comfortable Furnishings: Prioritise comfortable and inviting furniture, such as plush sofas, oversized armchairs and upholstered beds. Balance elegance with liveability for a cosy and refined feel.
- Nautical and Coastal Decor: Think about incorporating subtle nautical and coastal-inspired decor, like ropes, anchors, ship wheels, seashells, driftwood or coastal artwork, to enhance the Hampton Style’s beachside charm.
- Outdoor Spaces: Decks and verandahs, closed-in or otherwise, are a huge part of the Hampton Style. Think about the position of the house and which aspect would suit these features best.
- Landscaping: Consider landscaping design that complements this open, seamless style, creating a cohesive connection between the home and its surroundings.
- Climate Considerations: Adapt the design to suit the Melbourne climate, providing appropriate shading, ventilation and insulation for energy efficiency and comfort.
What potential issues do you need to consider to build your Hampton Style home?
Hampton Style builds, while creating beautiful and timeless homes, can present some potential issues that homeowners and builders should be aware of during the planning and construction process.
Skilled labour. The intricate design elements and craftsmanship typical of Hampton Style homes demand skilled labour. Finding professionals with experience in working with natural materials and intricate detailing can be challenging and may require additional effort and time. The great thing about working with Edina, however, is that we have all the knowledge, experience and skill required.
Customisation complexity. While these homes offer some flexibility for personalisation, maintaining the core design elements is essential to preserve the style’s authenticity. Balancing customisation with adherence to the Hampton Style’s principles can be a challenge – but it’s also one of the more exciting elements of this type of build.
Building regulations. Local building codes and regulations might impose restrictions on certain design features or materials commonly used in Hampton Style homes. Ensuring compliance with local rules during the building process is crucial. We have experience in this area and can guide you accordingly.
Authenticity: Achieving an authentic Hampton Style, especially outside the original region, may be challenging. Sourcing genuine materials, such as cedar shingles, or incorporating certain architectural elements might be difficult. That’s why you need to go with builders who have worked in this style before and know how to source and work with the right materials.
What type of builder do you need to build your Hampton Style home?
The Hampton Style requires a builder with specific expertise and skills to bring this architectural theme to life successfully. Here are some key characteristics and qualifications to look for in a builder for a Hampton Style home:
- Experience: Look for a builder who has direct experience in constructing Hampton Style homes. Familiarity with the unique design elements, materials and detailing specific to this architectural style is essential to achieve an authentic and elegant outcome.
- Attention to Detail: This style is known for its meticulous attention to detail, including intricate mouldings, decorative features, and carefully crafted finishes. A builder with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to precision will ensure that the home captures the essence of the style.
- Skilled Craftsmanship: These homes often incorporate natural materials like hardwood, stone and shingles, which require skilled craftsmanship to be effectively utilized. Look for a builder with a track record of working with these materials to ensure the highest quality results.
- Adherence to Design Principles: This has distinct design principles that define its aesthetic. Look for a builder who understands and respects these principles, ensuring that the final result reflects the timeless elegance and relaxed coastal charm characteristic of the Hampton Style.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Building any home can present unforeseen challenges, particularly one based on the Hamptons Style that demands a level of intricacy as well as particular materials. A builder with strong problem-solving skills can address issues effectively during the construction process to keep the project on track.
- Portfolio and References: Review the builder’s portfolio of completed projects to see if they have experience in building Hampton Style homes. Additionally, ask for references or testimonials from previous clients to gauge their satisfaction with the builder’s work. We are always happy to provide this sort of information.
We’re your experts when it comes to Hampton Style builds
Building your own home is one of life’s great journeys. Full of challenges and hurdles to overcome, we cannot stress enough how important it is that you work with builders who have experience, skill and problem solving abilities.
At Edina Building Group, we’ve helped many people realise their Hampton Style dreams. We’ve earned experience in this area, and we want you to take advantage of that. Get in touch today.
