First thoughts…what style matches the East Hampton home and the owner’s personality and lifestyle? Bleached Swedish country? Rustic Sonoma County? Minimalist Modern? English, French? No, this house is clearly a classic 1920s home but not stuffy… It is decided: white upholstered furniture, blue and white china, sisal rugs bound in tan cotton layered with antique Persians.  YES, that’s it – after the presentation and a few conversations about the white furniture – i.e. kids and dogs, the job begins.

First step, removal of the overly floral Brunschwig drapery and matching furniture, then the painting and work on the floor begins.  The floors are naturally beautiful but drab. We strip them and stain them a mix of Mahogany and Walnut – this we know will be a beautiful statement against the backdrop of the walls in Benjamin Moore’s Cream Froth and Decorator’s White in semi gloss on the trim.

Meanwhile, we are reupholstering some of the owner’s wing back chairs and upholstery pieces. We treat the white cotton to prevent stains. Next stop, the wonderful assortment of antique shops in the Hamptons – Balasses house in Amagansett and English Country Antiques in Bridgehampton to start. To bring in texture and interest, we layer the beautiful furniture with some antique needlepoint/aubusson and new pillows in subdued floral prints. Two antique rugs of the owners work perfectly, but as usual the purchase of the perfect Persian to finish the look always takes time.  Most dealers will allow you to try the carpet out – always good to give it a few days to see how it works in the room – although sometimes you know the moment it hits the floor, one way or the other.

Add in artwork and the floor-sized blue and white vases and various other blue and white china, interest for the fireplace mantle and voila, we have a home, yellow Lab et al.

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