I absolutely love a classic shingle style home in the Hamptons, with the English influences such as black and white checkered marble floors, beautiful wood floors and a great informal kitchen with appliances straight from a top New York restaurant. Bringing the outside in is an ever-so-important factor in decorating in the Hamptons. Local artists’ paintings of flowers, beaches or other notable Hamptons sites are great reminders of the outside.

Oversized furniture can be relaxing in the Hamptons, but too much can kill the understated and classic roots of the Hamptons if abused. STYLE STYLE and more STYLE is what it is all about.  One ultra long sofa made in the best Belgian linen flanked by classic upholstered  armchairs can say it all.

Sunflowers and hydrangeas must be everywhere – an easy way to do this is to grow your own as anything will grow in Hamptons soil, better than anywhere.

I am going to conclude my obvious love for the Hamptons with a laundry list of quick picks for decorating in the Hamptons: Linen coasters and napkins, large glass hurricanes, antiques, (the Hamptons has some of the best antique shops around), COLOR – printed fabrics, coordinated with other printed fabrics (patterns or flowers work all the better – not Palm Beach prints though, just classic), high-thread-count white sheets and towels, mismatched coffee cups for long mornings sitting outside, muck boots and umbrella stands to give homage to the English heritage. Coral is out but cactus is in. Replace new SL55 with 1978 Mercedes 450 SL Roadster – tres chic.

By To27 contributor Kat Burki, interior designer, president and creative director of Kat Burki Home, katburkihome.com