English Box

I love the classic English Boxwood gardens at the Halsey House on South Main Street. Box is very slow growing and at times temperamental a sign of a garden with very established roots.

South Main Street ca 1648

The Halsey House on

South Main Street

is open to the public during the summer months. The design of this home with a two story front and long roof line making a one story rear is called a saltbox. In the 1980s the contemporary saltbox design was very popular with the back portion of the home having a dramatic open cathedral-ceiling living space. This home also has very nice gardens with excellent English Boxwood.

Water Mill Barn

Over the years many barns in the Hamptons got used as artist's studios. The loft like interiors lent themselves to making excelent work spaces. I was allowed to photograph the studio of noted painter Jane Wilson. I chose not to show the paintings in progress. It was nice to visit this simple honest interior from a time when so many artists had studio barns.

Along the Tracks

There is a dirt track that runs along the rail road tracks under the high Ts. At one time the town talked about developing this track into a bike path through the East End. I have taken my mountain bike on some parts of this path. Right along the tracks you see an industrial side of the Hamptons we do not see on a typical day.

Modern Style

My friend Brian designed this fantastic modern renovation at 194 Middle Line Highway in Water Mill. When I went to photograph the home I shot it at sunset so I could give a hint of the dramatic interiors. I then had a film tour of the main floor made, this tour can be viewed at http://www.hamptons101.com/ Look for the button that says virtual tour. If you want to view the home there will be an open house this Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 12 noon. 

Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese Crust



I always think of Thanksgiving as a New England holiday. When I was growing up our family would meet in Connecticut for a big family dinner. My Grandmother always brought the pies and was most noted for her apple pie. In our family, apple pie was eaten with a sliver of sharp NY cheddar cheese. The idea is that the sharp cheese contrasts with the sweet pie. When I was looking through the American Heritage Cookbook I found a recipe for apple pie with Cheddar Cheese Crust. I have simplified the process to grating 6 oz of sharp white cedar and rolling it between 2 Pillsbury crusts. I use the trims to make the under crust. More details about the pie in future postings.

Shingle Cottage

When I first came to the Hamptons I was surprised to see dark shingles on the older homes in the area. I had spent many summers on Cape Cod where the shingles tend to have a silvery tone. I then learned that the shingles on the Cape are mostly white cedar and the shingles in the Hamptons tend to be red cedar. The red cedar turns a rich brown as they weather making a nice crisp contrast with white trim.

Kurt Billings Trail

Kurt Billings lived on Big Fresh Pond. He is remembered for his swimming lessons and love of nature. There is a nature trail loop off  Sebonac Road in his name. This pond is one of many nice views on that walk.



Face Lift

This month I replaced the storm windows to the right and left of the front porch door. The old trim on the north side of the house seems fine but where I have added new wood it has not held up so well.  I chose to build the new windows out of plastic composite trim boards. The existing windows did not have divided lites. Years ago friend Mark had suggested I think about divided lites. Before building the windows I took a photo of the front and drew in the window dividers. The new design looked right to me and here they are.

Giant Gum Drops

  

I think this hedge row in Southampton Village is a delight. Most hedges on the East End are Privet, a few are Yew, this is the only trimmed hedge I know of made from Juniper. This hedge will stay thick and green all winter. I think it must be very difficult to trim a hedge made of Juniper and protect it from snow damage. Juniper dose not regenerate from its base the way Privet dose so you do not have the option to just start over.

The Castle

Built in 1911 by J. Edward Elliston the Castle located at the corner of Herrick Road & Little Plains is a loved landmark by all. This view of turrets and fall colors was taken from deep in the castle's English Gardens.

Sedum Waterfall

I have two large terracotta pots near the pool that I got at yard sales in Art Village. Both pots had been broken when I got them, I glued the pieces back together with silicone. The glue jobs have lasted more that 15 years. I use clay colored plastic pots that hang off inner rim of the pot. This way I do not have to fill the whole pot with soil and I can change out the plantings without much trouble. In July I like to use sedum as it can take the summer heat and some dry periods. This year the way it grew down over the sides of the pots seemed very nice.

New on the Ocean

This new home on the beach was designed with some big deep porches for enjoying the ocean breeze. This seems like a fun idea, most of the existing homes on the ocean have their roots in New England architecture with a sharper line between inside and outside space.

Arts & Craft Gem



I enjoy catching a glimpse of this half-timber home in the hills of the old Grosvnor Atterbury Estate. This area was first developed as a summer community in the early 1900s. At that time Shinnecock Hills had was very fashionable with fewer trees and many open views to the bay. As you drive by this home you can just get a view, but if you stop moving the hedege closes up and you see less. 

On Bowden Square

This nice full maple tree is across the square from my front yard.The fall colors this year have seemed brighter and richer that I recall from the last few years.

Villa Shinnecock

Located just west of Southampton Village, this mid-century modern got a stylish makeover this year.

Allee' Wyandanch

This sycamore tree-lined-street is one I always enjoy traveling to the beach. The twisted braches and crazy bark are difficult to capture on film. There is a hint of dunes at the end of the road.

Shingled Georgian

This new addition to the estate area has the kind of very pronounced architecture typicaly seen on a brick or stone residence from the 1800s. This rich detailing gives this cedar shingle home a solid and stately presence.

Closing up the back garden for winter

It was time to winterize the pool. Dropping the water level, blowing out the lines, then setting five deck modules over the gap. Here you can see the first two modules in place.  

Nice addition to the village

This handson home with some very special details is being built on the street where I built my first home. 



Bowden Square, Southampton

Fall sunsets out east can be very special.

Layton Avenue Rescue

This historic Southampton Village home has been lifted into the air so the owners can put a new basement and foundation under the old home. It is exciting to see this great effort to restore an older village home.