Summer In The Hamptons is Design-Filled, The East Hampton Antiques Show

Recap of the Hamptons Antiques and Design Tour while visiting the East Hampton Antiques Show

written by IFDA NY chapter/board member, Su Hilty

the author's selfie--joining the antiques and design tour for wine tasting earlier in the day at Wolffer Estates in Bridgehampton 

I had the opportunity to join a special antiques and design tour in the Hamptons led by interior designer and style maker Tamara Stephenson for the renowned Antiques Diva.  If you are not familiar with the Antiques Diva, let me explains...owner Toma Clark Haines has built this company to become the world's largest antiques sourcing company.  Basically, they lead design and antiques aficionados throughout Europe on buying tours, then assist them on shipping their wares home.  As part of a new expansion into the United States, they kicked off their United States tours with a special one in the Hamptons during a busy week of summer.  Tamara has joined the team and with her expertise on design and the local history and sources of the area, she led this fun-filled and educational two-day tour.  There was a fun group of Div-ettes taking part and it culminated at the special opening gala for The eleventh annual East Hampton Antiques Show, benefiting the East Hampton Historical Society on Friday July 21, 2017.

our antiques & design group

While my schedule did not permit me to attend the many antique stops and cultural visits earlier in the two-day event, I met up with the group at one of the Hampton’s most iconic spots, Wolffer Estates in Sagaponack for a sampling of rose’ wine and cheese prior to heading east to the historic Mulford Farm Museum and the Antiques Show. 

This was my first experience attending the antiques show, and I was very impressed by the thirty-six antique dealers spread throughout eight different locations at the Museum. I had heard so many wonderful things about the show over the years from Tamara, and now I finally had the opportunity to witness it.

Antique Diva's Toma Clark Haines with Lamont Studio owner, Carlyn Kenny.  Kenny spotted Toma in the crowd and stopped her to let her know she is a big fan of  The Antiques Diva’s blog. 

This little tyke was rocking out with the evening’s entertainment, cool jazz with Jane Hastay and Peter Martin Weiss Quartet 

Tamara, Toma and Kendell Cronstrom

During the evening, we had the opportunity to chat with Kendell Cronstrom, Editor in Chief of Hamptons Cottages & Gardens magazine, and the event's sponsor.  It was a breathtakingly beautiful event and evening.  The group ended the experience the next evening with some of the group attending the Southampton Designer Showhouse Gala, which benefits the Southampton Hospital the next evening, July 22nd. 

Vichai and Lee J Chinalai, Chinalai Tribal Antiques.  

Even without a trained antiques and design eye, I can tell the wares at Chinalai Tribal are stellar, and I particularly love their indigo blue clothing pieces.

About The East Hampton Historical Society
Founded in 1921, the East Hampton Historical Society cares for six historic sites including: Mulford Farm Museum,
1680; Town House Museum, ca; 1770; Osborn-Jackson House Museum, ca. 1720; Clinton Academy Museum, 1784;
Hook School House Museum, ca. 1784; and the East Hampton Town marine Museum, 1942. The Society manages a collection of over 10,000 artifacts and interprets the social and natural history of the area through exhibitions, tours, lectures and other special programs.

the outbuildings and barns on Mulford Farm are quite unique and historic, and are some of the oldest in the East End of Long Island

About IFDA
The International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA), founded in New York City in 1947 and now with 12
chapters worldwide, provides a professional forum for communication and interaction among its high-profile members.  The IFDA, a nonprofit volunteer-run association, also promotes career advancement and educational opportunities and is structured to increase public awareness of the furnishings and design industry through specialized programming, networking and service to the community.