A home with a difference in The Hamptons

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY NICOLE ENGLAND / LIVING INSIDE STYLING JAYNE REID SPEC CHECK RESIDENT Pol Theis, interior designer LOCATION The Hamptons, New York SPECIAL FEATURE Theis’ taxidermy collection. In addition to the 31 pigeons positioned in a unified flock on one of the walls, the designer also included flamingos, rabbits and even a pig in his nature theme. Taxidermy and vintage dolls aren't for everyone. It takes a high-quality collection and flawless taste in order to achieve a chic - and not creepy - effect and, luckily, Pol Theis has both. The Luxembourg-born interior designer has won multiple awards for his work in interior design, but he was not always so creatively inclined. In 2002, he made the unlikely leap from a Paris-based career in corporate law to heading up his own boutique design firm P&T Interiors in New York, and hasn't looked back since then. His home in The Hamptons, fondly named 31 Pigeons, is no regular holiday home. Grown from a desire to create his own weekend escape in the popular seaside resort for affluent New Yorkers, Theis set out to find a location close to the ocean that would allow for an unconventional approach. After exploring a variety of options, Theis settled on a rare lakeside site in Sag Harbour. Its natural surrounds, with a lily pond as a beautiful focal point, won the designer over. He worked with architect Thomas Warnke to create a home that could serve as an open house for family and friends, but one that would veer widely from the well-trodden path of the classic Hamptons style. "I wanted the feel of a comfortable country home, but I also love the look of Manhattan loft apartments," Theis explains. "In the end I came up with a solution that has effectively incorporated both aesthetics." The careful consideration of nature is apparent throughout the design, as it feels as though the interior and exterior are in constant dialogue with each other. Beyond this, its distinct and fun personality is what makes 31 Pigeons special. "I wanted to incorporate my personal collections," the designer says. "The idea was to integrate them into the house; not just [as a] display that would resemble a showroom." The most notable of these collections is the property's namesake: a dramatic light installation comprising 31 taxidermy pigeons, hanging from the living room ceiling. "I really enjoy that sense of nature continuing indoors," Theis points out. "The pigeons are in a swarm all facing the same way so that when you walk into the room it feels as if they are about to fly out the window." Animals are dotted throughout the house, with flamingos, rabbits and even a pig making an appearance. Just when you think you've seen everything, a visit to the kitchen will test your resolve. An extensive collection of vintage dolls is displayed on the shelves, each one positioned and choreographed so that they seem to interact with each other. It is testament to Theis' unerring style that guests find themselves interested in the décor rather than fleeing in terror out the doors. The rest of the home is more conventional, featuring a minimal material palette of concrete, wood and glass. Theis has created two distinct lifestyle "pods", joined by a formal entrance and separated by a narrow secluded courtyard. First, there is the public space designed to be open-planned and inviting. The rooms have a masculine edge, reflecting a contemporary, urban lifestyle. The kitchen, living and dining room are all incorporated into this one open space, although floor-to-ceiling sliding walls can be used to delineate the separate areas. The living space resembles a lounge. Rather than a traditional sofa, Theis chose a large island-style couch that be configured so that guests can either face the TV, the pool outside, the double-sided fireplace or the dining table. The designer also opted for a retractable TV that disappears into the floor. "I hate seeing big black boxes on the walls," he says. Then there is the private space. For the sleeping quarters, Theis chose a warmer colour palette, creating a more tranquil and soothing atmosphere for this intimate space. The two master bedrooms act as bookends to the two guest bedrooms in between, and carefully curated artworks decorate the walls. Bare concrete floors extend throughout the home, and rather than looking cold and uninviting, the continuous soft grey flooring works with the aesthetics of the home to create a sophisticated and cohesive look. "31 Pigeons is neither a country estate nor an urban dwelling extension, but rather [an integration of both]," Theis says. "From landscape design to furniture selection, 31 Pigeons is custom-made to suit my lifestyle".

A home with a difference in The Hamptons

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Interior designer uses taxidermy pigeons and vintage dolls to create an unconventional yet cohesive home

Interior designer uses taxidermy pigeons and vintage dolls to create an unconventional yet cohesive home