2 min readWhen we hear “Hamptons,” we picture vast estates, sandy shores, and white cedar–shingled mansions. The coastal region boasts a reputation for high-end realty, celebrity sightings, and endless picturesque views, thanks in part to painstakingly manicured lawns. This Sagaponack estate is changing that—for the better.
Set between a saltwater pond and the Atlantic Ocean, this beachfront Southampton property faces a prominent flood risk, threatening the landscaping’s borders with the slightest rise in sea level. Not wanting to compromise beauty for function, the owners called in the experts at the luxury landscape architecture firm, LaGuardia Design Group.
The contemporary-style home features multiple second-level decks overlooking the property, which clocks in at a little over an acre. This presented a prominent aesthetic demand, with the sprawling estate visible from almost any point in the home. That was intentional.
An Extension of the Home
The outdoor setting was never meant to be sequestered from the home’s living space; the intention was always for it to serve as a recreational zone. Set below a former farm field and just a mile in from the Atlantic shores, the property’s flood risk demanded an architectural solution: Its elevated decks and patios were finished with tufted terrace stairs to blend the outdoor spaces with the structural design.
The owners and the design team at LaGuardia knew they didn’t want the aesthetics to take a backseat. Together, they wanted to transcend mere functionality by championing biodiversity. Instead of placing perfectly coiffed shrubs, rosebushes, and container plants, they opted to bring in native plants to build carefully placed rain gardens into clever flood mitigators and a colorful oasis for pollinators.
“The planting palette was designed to feel relaxed, natural, and full of movement, with an emphasis on long-lasting seasonal interest rather than highly manicured beds,” says Sarah DeGray, senior project manager at LaGuardia Design Group. “Instead of relying on large expanses of lawn, the gardens become the focal point, offering waves of color, varied textures, and soft movement. We layered ornamental grasses like Little Bluestem, Autumn Moor Grass, and Switchgrass with flowering perennials including Asters, Coneflowers, Calamint, and Salvias.”
Maintaining the “Wild”
The less contrived design is unconventional for East End retreats and brings with it a less traditional maintenance routine. While the owners won’t have to worry much about mowing lawns and shaping shrubs, the design still requires some upkeep to keep the posh yet wild landscape looking its best. Regular trimming, pruning, and timely fertilizing are key factors in landscaping upkeep as it evolves through the seasons.
“All elements—from the arrival sequence to the rear entertaining spaces and cutting garden—were designed to feel intentional, comfortable, and connected. As a result, the landscape functions as a natural extension of the home. The result is a landscape that continuously evolves from spring through fall,” says DeGray.
