The Knockturnal spent another amazing weekend in The Hamptons filled with beach days, lobster rolls and plenty of swoon worthy charity events to keep us busy – including the third Holiday House Hamptons presented by HC&G which kicked off with Saturday night’s invite only opening White Party.
Every summer a Hamptons estate is chosen to be the “showcase house” for which celebrity interior designers work their magic on a room or area of the house giving individual personality to every space from the bedrooms to the home theater to the to-die- for man cave.
The festivities overtook the 13,000 square foot Water Mill house, which is on the market for $18 million, and provided guests a first look into the house and it’s first class show of summer living. Guests also nibbled on appetizers like squash tempura, lobster spring rolls, and feta ice cream cones while drinking cocktails made with Gosling’s Rum, Tito’s Vodka, and Pallini Limoncello.
Designers include: 2Michaels, HB Home, West Chin Architects, Elizabeth Dow, Melanie Roy, and V*Starr Interiors by Venus Williams designed the rooftop tennis court (yes, there’s a rooftop tennis court and it’s amazing) and the tennis great is reportedly heading to the house this week to break the court in.
We spoke to Holiday House founder and 19-year breast cancer survivor Iris Dankner about her journey and the down low on interior design trends.
The Knockturnal: So tell us a little about your background.
Dankner: I’m an interior designer and a 19-year breast cancer survivor. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my first routine mamorgram was at age 40 and it was early detection that saved my life. And I vowed that I would do anything I could to eradicate this disease and I started doing fundraising and 9 years ago I decided to tie my two passions together: My passion for interior designing and raising money for breast cancer and that’s how Holiday House was born.
The Knockturnal: How did you curate the designers we’re seeing today. Who get’s to be part of this?
Dankner: I curate the whole thing. One of my pet peeves and is when you into a show house and it’s very schizophrenic so I try to curate and give them a pallete and a story about the family that lives here. And they have to show me their storyboards before they move forward. I try and weave some thread that’s common.
The Knockturnal: What are some of the trends you’re seeing in Interior Design?
Dankner: I’m seeing a lot of organic – either materials or wood. Burlap, leather and cashmere, all natural fibers even mixed in with the glam. I see a lot of navy right now.
The Knockturnal: What’s the piece you should splurge on and what can you go a little cheaper with?
Dankner: Getting a fabulous piece of art is where I would invest – go with a great investment piece. It never loses its value. Also great lighting can make a room. Things you can spend less on are placements, accent pillows – its like the way you dress. If you have a fabulous outfit you can throw on that ring from TJ Max.
The Holiday House is open to the pubic now through July 26th with all ticket proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Get your tickets here.