The Hamptons have always been lucky for Ariane Goldman, the visionary founder of the fashion lines twobirds Bridesmaid and HATCH Collection. she recalls childhood summers spent on its shores with great fondness, and she first met her husband, Max, during an evening out in Amagansett. So in May 2010, when the couple went hunting for a weekend retreat, they instinctively steered their car toward Long Island.
At the time, the Goldmans were preparing for the imminent arrival of their child, a daughter named Charlie Grey, and knew they'd soon require more space than that afforded by their Manhattan apartment. Their real estate expedition proved successful: tucked into the pine forest of East Hampton, just mintues from the beach, a property designed in 1968 by acclaimed architect Alfredo De Vido instantly charmed them. Its four-bedroom main house and two-bedroom guest cottage possessed privacy, plenteous space, and even a 30-foot-long swimming pool. With no desire to look further, they bought it and settled into the place they now call Shangri-la.
To make the house their own required surprisingly little work. The Goldmans considerably brightened its already sunny rooms by removing window shutters and applying generous coats of white paint to walls and ceilings (though, in an effort to retain the residence's rustic character, they left its heavy wood beams in their natural state). Accented by pale blues and pinks, the gleaming white interiors create an atmosphere of serenity. Today, this hassle-free haven provides a year-round vacation spot for the young family: it's a beach destination in warm-weather months, and its evergreen surroundings supply an ideal setting for cozy winter holidays. "The three of us gather together in the living room and spend evenings by the fireplace," says Ariane. "It's paradise. Whenever we're here, no matter the season, we couldn't be happier."
