Bella Vista Teatro: A Collaborative Vision for Hope and Design at Holiday House Hamptons

As an interior designer, I'm thrilled to share my experience designing a room for the Holiday House Hamptons 2024 Designer Showhouse alongside the incredible Andrea Stark. This project has been an amazing journey, blending creativity, luxury, and purpose in a way that truly embodies the spirit of the Hamptons and the important cause it supports. 

This year's showcase, the 6th Designer Showhouse, will take place at 4 Windy Hill Lane in Bridgehampton, NY, a stunning property generously provided by Christopher Burnside and Brown Harris Stevens. Nestled on over an acre within the private 23-acre community of Windy Hill Farm, this nearly 6,000 square-foot home offers luxury living on three levels, with views of a 100-year-old apple orchard over the broad lawn.

We've named our space "Bella Vista Teatro," a chic, Italian, Missoni-inspired theatre. Working with Andrea, a co-chair of the event and a wildly generous and inspiring visionary, has been an absolute dream. Our partnership exemplifies the spirit of collaboration that defines this event. Together, we've created a room that transports you to an Italian holiday while maintaining the coastal charm of the Hamptons. This showcase is a testament to the power of community, bringing together designers, sponsors, and visitors for a noble cause.

The Holiday House Hamptons brings together approximately 20 of the industry's top interior designers, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among creative professionals. Participating in the Hamptons Holiday House is about more than just showcasing design talent. It's about coming together as a community to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which works tirelessly towards achieving prevention and a cure for breast cancer by providing critical funding for innovative clinical research at leading medical centers worldwide and increasing public awareness about good breast health. Founded by the inspirational Iris Dankner, a breast cancer survivor herself, this event brings together a group of loyal designers passionate about making a difference. By participating in this event, we're not just creating beautiful spaces – we're connecting with a larger community of supporters, survivors, and researchers, all working towards a world without breast cancer.

Our design is a collaborative effort featuring contributions from renowned brands and artisans. Each element, from the Missoni carpet to the Lladró sconces, represents a connection between designers, manufacturers, and craftspeople. The literal foundation of our design is a stunning Missoni indoor/outdoor carpet from STARK Carpet, which sets the tone for the entire space. We've complemented this with exquisite Missoni pillows, creating a cohesive and luxurious feel.

A standout feature in our room is the pair of fabulous Seasons collection wall sconces in Fall from Lladró. These pieces are truly works of art that tie our color scheme together beautifully. We've also included some fantastic pieces from our sponsors, including a wine refrigerator from Royal Green Appliances and a candy cart from East Coast Cabinetry, making it the perfect spot for entertaining or unwinding.

The wallpaper, a shimmering design from Arte, adds depth and texture to our theater space, while the acoustic paper from Koroseal ensures a perfect audio experience. We've used Little Greene Paint in Aquamarine 135 and Wood Ash for the walls, which was applied expertly by Green Apple Painting. The window treatments feature fabric from Thibaut, with custom chairs and Roman shades crafted by Home Interiors by Anthony Giaramita. 

Frank Giaramita, President of Home Interiors by Anthony Giaramita, brought our vision to life with custom chairs and Roman shades. My partnership with Frank began serendipitously at a local pizzeria, where a chance encounter over a buffalo chicken salad led to a fruitful professional relationship. These connections make the design community so special and contribute to the collaborative spirit of events like Holiday House Hamptons.

“We use the best ingredients,” Frank explains, comparing his craft to making a perfect pizza. “All of our chairs are made with blue foam, which lasts for decades.” This commitment to quality and durability perfectly aligns with our design philosophy for 'Bella Vista Teatro'. Frank's expertise extended beyond our room, creating a custom bed for Ashbourne Designs room in the house as well. Our collaboration with Frank and his team exemplifies the spirit of craftsmanship and attention to detail that defines this showhouse.

Rounding out our partners, Scalamandré provided the elegant fabric trim, while Heller Furniture supplied the end tables, and OCHRE generously provided a stunning sofa and coffee table.

But "Bella Vista Teatro" isn't just about aesthetics - it's designed to be a functional, enjoyable space. In today's world, where people are spending more time at home and craving connection with family and friends, we've created a retreat that allows people to escape the noise of the world and find joy in their own space. It's a space designed for comfort and relaxation, making you feel at ease and at home. We hope 'Bella Vista Teatro' will serve as a space for visitors to connect with each other, with the design, and with the important cause we're supporting.

We have even arranged a special screening for the opening night White Party to celebrate — we’ll be showing ”Coup!” the thriller/comedy written by Joseph Schuman and Andrea’s son, Austin Stark.

I've poured my heart into creating a room that's not only aspirational but also fun and youthful. Our goal is to make everyone who enters smile and feel uplifted. Where you can immerse yourself in an atmosphere where elegance meets relaxation.

I'm incredibly grateful for this experience and the chance to work alongside such talented individuals and brands. To all the design enthusiasts out there, I encourage you to visit the Hamptons Holiday House and experience "Bella Vista Teatro" for yourself. By visiting the Hamptons Holiday House, you're not just experiencing great design – you're connecting with a cause and contributing to a collaborative effort to make a difference.

Get your tickets for Holiday House Hamptons here.