Watermill Residence
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Location
Southampton, New York
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Architect
Mark Matthews Architecture
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Landscape Architect
April Gonzales Garden Design
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Photographer
Joshua McHugh
- Press
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Team Members
Sergio Mercado
The Art of Restraint
The defining gesture of the project lies in its disciplined material palette. Limewashed walls, bleached oak, undyed Belgian linen, and soft taupe hues create a continuous visual rhythm throughout the home.
Original architectural elements — wide-plank floors, exposed beams, and brickwork — were carefully preserved and subtly refined, allowing history to remain present without dominating the space.
Furniture and lighting introduce gentle geometry and sculptural moments: curved sectionals nestle into bay windows, hand-crafted ceramic lamps punctuate quiet corners, and custom pieces balance softness with structure. Every decision was calibrated to feel intentional yet effortless — designed to hold light, invite pause, and elevate daily living without excess.
Rather than reconfiguring the home’s original layout, the design worked within its surprisingly modern flow.
Shared spaces open naturally into one another, unified through consistent finishes and a restrained tonal range. This continuity allows each room to serve a distinct purpose while maintaining a cohesive sense of calm.
The adjacent guest cottage, conceived as a true secondary residence rather than a traditional pool house, mirrors the main home’s material language. Limewash walls and Belgian linens establish a seamless dialogue between old and new, while subtle shifts — such as terrazzo flooring on the lower level and wide-plank oak above — differentiate the spaces without disrupting harmony.
Across both structures, the interiors emphasize comfort, longevity, and quiet luxury. The home feels intentionally low-maintenance and deeply livable — an environment that supports retreat, reflection, and the slower rhythms of life by the coast.
