Ashley Whittaker Designs a Southampton Retreat

Whittaker added tape trim to the client’s chaises, which gives them a neat, tailored look. Bolsters and umbrella, custom from Luther Quintana.

“The floor in the entrance hall was black and lifeless. It needed a shot in the arm. I had it painted to look like marquetry, which is elegant without being too fancy. Plus, it’s surprisingly durable,” says Whittaker. Faux painting by Agustin Hurtado. Urns under table, Hinson & Co. Lee Jofa lamps. Stark stair runner.

At the far end of the living room, a pair of armchairs from Luther Quintana are covered in Dundee Hickory from Clarence House. The ottoman fabric is Nairobi in a custom color by China Seas through Quadrille. The mirror over the mantel is designed by Ashley Whittaker.

“I tried to use some serious furniture shapes and a few antiques in the living room of this house, but I wanted to have fun with the fabrics and color,” says Ashley Whittaker. A custom sofa is covered in a Brunschwig & Fils avocado linen. The painting above the sofa is by Sally Michel. Slipper chairs are covered in Vizcaya in Celery by AM Collections. Faux-tortoise coffee table is from Todd Romano. Curtains are Granada in Robins Egg by AM Collections. Mantel mirror by Ashley Whittaker. Natura sisal rug from Stark.

In a corner of the dining room, a white-painted Chinese-style console table by Whittaker sports a garden of hydrangeas in small silver vases. Turquoise on tinted linen wall fabric from Quadrille. White lantern on wall from Charles Edwards.

“The white chairs and coral chandelier make a big mahogany table feel lighter than it is,” says Whittaker. “The contrasts make it work. I consider that a universal rule in decorating.” Turquoise on tinted linen wall fabric from Quadrille. 1940s Gustavian-style chairs in coral linen by Travers. Chandelier, Mecox Gardens. Rug, Natura Sisal from Stark.

A collection of hydrangeas brightens up the sideboard in the dining room.

The sitting room off the kitchen “needed to be stylish and child-friendly,” says Whittaker. “I love the ikat on the ottoman and the blue paisley on the sofa bolster.” The curtain fabric from Carleton V “was one of the first things my client and I fell in love with. The beautiful blue is what started the chain reaction of blues throughout the house.”

Whittaker added shades to the shell chandelier from Mecox Gardens. French café chairs from TK Collections. The blue and white Stark rug “creates continuity between kitchen and sitting room, and breaks up a large expanse of floor.”

In the kitchen, a kidproof zinc-topped table is surrounded by indestructible blue and white French café chairs. Beaded dinner plates from Ballard Designs are topped with striped salad plates from Target. Vintage turquoise sugar pot from Ruzzetti and Gow. Turquoise goblets and flatware from Ballard Designs.

A corner of the husband’s office — which also served as the children’s TV room for several years, so a daybed was added for naptime. Bolsters on daybed from Charles H. Beckley. Pair of stools from West Elm. Striped chairs are Mitchell Gold through Mrs. Howard. The carpet is Saxony from David Hicks Hexagon House.

Whittaker divided the sunroom from the dining room with pocket doors and added the trellis. The wicker chairs facing the sofa are from Bialecky Brothers. Sofa from Luther Quintana. Yellow lamp is Christopher Spitzmiller through Todd Romano.

The sunroom provides an immediate punch of color and sunshine, which makes it a cheerful sitting room in the winter. Curtains are Potella Print Coral from China Seas. The large wicker bench in front of the sofa is from Bialecky Brothers.

“A tester bed is always romantic and pretty.” Attaching the tester directly to the ceiling creates a sense of height. Leontine Linens. Bed curtain, dust ruffle, and chair in a Scalamandré check. Bench from Chelsea Editions.

“The white linen sofa and dressing table with the white shell mirror add to the overall serenity of the bedroom,” says Whittaker. Wallpaper by Nina Campbell through Osborne & Little. Floral print for vanity skirt and pillows, Cowtan & Tout.

Designer Ashley Whittaker chose an American flag print by Maureen Andrews for Posh Papier for a kid’s room in Southampton. White table and red chairs from Pottery Barn Kids. Bed linens from Leontine Linens.

An outdoor children’s seating area at poolside. Benches from Country Casual. Chaise longue from Thayers Hardware in Bridgehampton. The porcelain garden stools are from Hinson.