Design: House Story

The address is daunting, just off Further Lane in East Hampton, flanked by enormous "cottages" and villas, the cream of resort residences once owned by hallowed names from the gilded age.

What a surprise then to turn into a narrow lane, little more than a driveway, that meanders past modest one-story capes, small houses, surrounded by clumps of old lilacs and tangles of honeysuckle and ends with a towering windmill.

It is a world that feels like early East Hampton, houses set at odd angles to capture the sun, split rail or weathered gray picket fencing enclosing flower and vegetable gardens. The land is spacious and flat on the plain just behind the dunes, and you half expect to meet a 19th-century farmer or a flock of wandering sheep. Had you been there in the '30s, you might have seen Jackie Bouvier on a cantering pony.

Mill Was Moved

In 1930 George Roberts had Aymar Embury 2d design a colonial style house between Middle and Further Lanes. According to the East Hampton historian Robert Hefner, Roberts owned all the land from Middle Lane to the ocean, most of which was agricultural, pasture, and tillage. On his farm were various outbuildings, small barns, and a chicken house.

In the '50s, Robert Dowling (benefactor of Dowling College) bought the Middle Lane house and the large parcel south of Further Lane, where he added three houses and the windmill, all of which were old buildings moved from other parts of town.

The mill, called the Hayground Mill, came all the way from Bridgehampton, west of Corrigan's Garage on Montauk Highway near the old Knights of Columbus building. The move was made all the way along the beach to its current site, just behind the dunes bordering the ocean.

Cape House, Too

Also moved to this site was the modest cape that became the year-round, long-term rental home of Joe Nahem and Jeff Fields.

That the house was unfurnished when they found it was unusually propitious. Mr. Nahem is an interior designer in partnership with Tom Fox in New York City and Jeff Fields is an account supervisor involved in the production of fashion catalogues. Together all three have captured the spirit of their idealistic location and created an interior that is colorful, refreshing, and entirely relaxed.

Although the original fireplace and stair must have been left behind when the house made the journey across town, the early structure is still evident. Ceiling beams and corner posts and early horizontal wainscoting frame the large room that spans the front of the house, now used for dining. To the north is a later wing with fireplace that serves as the living room and upstairs two dormers accommodate a pair of bedrooms and baths.

Colorful Melange

That this is a house inspired by the outdoors and life in the Hamptons today is very evident from the melange of furnishings, some country, some traditional, some '30s modern, and all combined with color and comfort. It is also clear that the designers have enjoyed putting this house together, going to local shops, antiques shows, and yard sales.

Under the front window in the living room is a long, narrow pine table with folding legs, possibly used by a wallpaper hanger. For the dining table Fox and Nahem combined contemporary wrought-iron legs with an old wooden top. Next to it is an imposing '30s buffet with big chrome knobs.

With surfaces and floors left mostly bare, the rich yellow paint color bathes the space with warmth. Climbing the narrow stairs one is greeted by a pair of paintings by Vincent Gagliostro of sky blue splashed with palm trees. A skylight overhead makes this tiny passage seem larger and inviting.

Garden View

In a new dormer an enlarged bedroom now includes a window seat, a sunny spot for reading or a peaceful nap. On another wall the bed is framed by the notched beams saved from the roof renovations.

Across the hall a new bath is all gleaming white with a deep tub on legs and a view of Mr. Fields's fenced-in garden. Throughout, the partners have used a mix of pattern and texture in a way that is very low-key, and especially natural.

As professionals trained at Parsons, Fox and Nahem were called "recovering minimalists" by House Beautiful magazine. In fact, the designers feel they have much more freedom now, and that their clients want a personalized solution, not a particular design period or look.

Mr. Fox cheerfully explained, "We have done Gothic in Greenwich and an American farmhouse in Martha's Vineyard."

"We are noted for two things," added Mr. Nahem. "We get the job done fast and we complete it down to the candles and flowers on the table."

Will Hang A Shingle

In an unusual arrangement with their East Hampton landlord, Fox and Nahem were hired to design the addition of the second dormer to expand the bedroom and to add the second bath. That the project started in October and was completed by Feb. 1 is testament not just to the contractor, John Hummel, but also that this house is so important to its tenants.

"We all work very hard in the city and this is where we do our real living," said Mr. Nahem. In fact, the partners are spending longer weekends here now and expanding their business to include work on the East End.

Soon a 1949 house in Amagansett will be transformed into Fox and Nahem's local office and the partners will have many more opportunities to mix business with their very obvious pleasure.